First Time Car Camping in New Zealand

[@nickandraychel]

I can't believe we're finally doing it!! Just a few months ago, we were visualizing what it would be like once we finally moved to New Zealand, bought our mystery truck and started car camping in it - and here we are. We can't wait for this entire chapter, and of course, we're going to take you along. x

[@user-vn6xo2tc9r]

So proud and amazed by you both!!! 🧡🧡🧡

[@rachelmcinnes9027]

Welcome to Aotearoa NZ! You are gonna love it, your attitude is just perfedt for here!

[@jonma95p]

The birds were Tui. A native bird found only in NZ.

[@myladysigyn]

You might know this already by now, so forgive me if I'm repeating stuff you already know. The freedom camping rules were contentious at the time they started (which was only a few years ago) but basically you nailed the reason why they're so strict. People were trashing places and who wants to travel around a beautiful countryside that's covered in litter, garbage and other people's sh*t. sadly that's what was happening. There are a lot of really nice doc sites all over the country if you don't have a self contained and often camping grounds in less "popular" or well known locations are very cheap. When you get there, I certainly recommend a trip around the coast of Taranaki. I just finished a roadie through there and some stunning beaches, the Taranaki National Park, and of course Mount Taranaki is breathtaking.

[@MentalHealthJourney]

Love kubb! We play it as a family every New Year’s Day!

[@user-vn6xo2tc9r]

This was amazing!!! Loved this vlog!! 🫶✨🧡

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you ❤️❤️ feels good to be back!!

[@thekiwinomad]

The reason the rules are alot more intense now for freedom camping was due to the amount of human waste that was being left on land where the natural environment was put at risk e.g. native species. As a Kiwi I agree with it. The amount of human waste and rubbish that use to left around was extremely disrespectful not just to the land but also to culture. Some towns still have ban on freedom camping. You can stay at any doc camp ground or other camp grounds pretty cheaply. There is also rest stops and picnic areas that you can "rest" at

[@krh007]

You need to make a drop table on the inside of the rear tailgate door. They are common here in Aust. You can make it out of MDF wood. Pivots at the bottom & couple of nylon rope hangers each side & a bungee clip on the top centre to hold it up when closed. It allows a full bench width off rear for putting you food stuff etc when you are cooking. A rear shade attached to the 4wd when you a parked up is a must (very common on 4wd's & available at all 4wd Auto/camping shops where they attached to the side of a roof rack and swing out to shade the side & rear. Also the camping floor matt is also a must. You guys will soon work it all out as lots of brilliant products available now to add to you 4wd to make your camping experience so much more cosy & comfi. Yeah that is the problem with NZ south island is it rains a lot & gets damn cold. You need to venture over to the Western Auistralia - you two would love it as perfect for 4wd campers. Jump onto "Kendall and Glenn" YT channel (Aussie & his Cali girlfriend in their old land Rover having the time of their life - 3yrs on the road cruising all of Aust) they are DIY fitting out their old 4wd and some very handy tips for you for sure. Their latest vlog is epic

[@beverleypicard2116]

Wow , what an exciting time , I bett NZ is beautiful . Can't wait to follow along . ❤

[@richarddevaottien7724]

Don't bother, the economy is totally destroyed like peoples health from the Juice

[@TheDogsBox]

One of my greatest regrets from my 3 years in NZ was not hiking the Heaphy Track. Enjoy your travels!

[@AgunziLFC]

I did the heaphy track when I was in my early teens, loved it.

[@joshe3713]

cant wait for your guys journey through new zealand summer

[@nickandraychel]

We are so excited!!

[@joshe3713]

@@nickandraychel Don't forget sunscreen nz sun ain't no joke 🥵🥵

[@richarddevaottien7724]

​@@joshe3713you mean the Sun Simulator😮

[@DavidBainGaming]

Can I recommend, depending on budget, looking at getting one of the 4x4 pull out awnings, they just sit on the roof and roll up. Good little thing to have so you can have a shaded area to sit, especially in the coming summer, there are shitloads of 4x4 shops around you can have a browse at.

[@nickandraychel]

Yes we’re saving up for one!!

[@flamencojondotoday]

Amazing views and beautiful people! 🙌Keep the great adventures coming!

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you! Many more to come ❤️

[@klby30]

Hey Nick, I'm planning to go to New Zealand next year and I'm thinking if I should get a campercar like yours. I was wondering if it is too cold to sleep in the car without a heater. Are you planning to install any kind of heater in your car in the future?

[@cnawan]

A friend of mine once had someone from Britain over to visit and hung a cabbage in a cabbage tree in an effort to fool him :) I think they're a type of palm, so you were half right. The core apparently tastes like cabbage, hence the name - harvesting it kills the tree though. Oh, and apparently the Maori used the leaves to spin their fishing line

[@슈슈레이]

뉴질랜드 풍경 너무 좋네요👍 멋진 영상 한국에서 잘 봤습니다😊

[@motkawon]

Went from Queenstown to Twelfe Mile Delta on foot to see the filming location. There and back took me 5 hrs but this might be one of the nicest scenic campgrounds in NZ!

[@mojobartle817]

Op shops are good to get cheap second hand camp gear.

[@garynarborough]

I really enjoyed this. I'm an expat Kiwi. The freedom camper thing from what I understand has been abused and that may be why the rules have been tightened. I went back for a month in September. NZ has changed but it's still a lovely country. Don't be to trusting. I'm glad you are having a good time. I'm looking forward to seeing your further videos as well. Take care.

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you so much!

[@looking8030]

You should get a awning to hang on the roof they are pretty handy a company called kings make them the batwing ones are the best

[@nickandraychel]

We’ll get one eventually! :)

[@gav17]

It might pay to lift up the carpet in the Discovery where your feet are to check if there's any rust or signs of moisture.. they tend to leak in the sunroof and down the front A pillars. Takes a long time to show signs of rust as carpet hides it all 👍 otherwise what a awesome camper

[@nickandraychel]

Thanks for the insight!

[@LEKA271276]

Rules for freedom camping probably became strict due to some visitors ruining it for others when they abused locations they'd stay at. I haven't heard much nower days but it was a big issue afew years back.

[@lucidkat4u]

hi, love your videos. but wondering how do you freedom camp without a self-contained car in nz?

[@nickandraychel]

You don’t - we explained in detail how and why we’re only camping at doc sites here!

[@storm260]

You can get away with freedom camping without sticker for short stays

[@nikkichandler8946]

In keeping with LOTR call him Frodo or Gandalf 😁

[@nickandraychel]

Omgggg that's cute!!

[@ElaineDStrictlyCDN]

Blue Barry 😂 instead of blueberry

[@nickandraychel]

Wait…. I love it lol

[@petnzme]

Blue...

[@dennisteriini659]

Hi u2 welcome

[@AgunziLFC]

That law about having to be self contained came in because of the state some tourists were leaving cmp sites. Sh*t and toilet paper everywhere, rubbish everywhere. That's why the laws are a lot stricter now. And that's why most of the camp sites you'll see, are ( mostly ) clean and tidy.

[@nickandraychel]

That makes sense. I wish the USA and Canada would put those types of rules in place for locals and tourists alike.

[@vampire1799]

Did you guys actually speak @7:13 just curious at all the videos couples make 😅

[@nickandraychel]

Yes haha we do!

[@Andy_M986]

Lewis the Landrover, Larry is too old,Liam is a bit,not right about it,Leonardo is a good one as well. But being British,Lewis seems quite apt.

[@nickandraychel]

LOL okay okay I like it!!!! Lewis or Leonardo… Leo for short?

[@Andy_M986]

@@nickandraychel Yeah,British Leo the Lionheart.😁

[@jayslater3166]

Now you need a doggy go camping with use.

[@Andy_M986]

Tourists abuse freedom camping in NZ, quite a lot,they spoil it for the rest,they dump rubbish,and shit,literal shit at some camp sights.

[@nickandraychel]

That’s sad