My wife and I are headed from Oregon to NZ for a month in 2020. Your videos are some of the most informative I have found for "campervanning" in NZ. Thanks!
I am a Kiwi and have never hired a Campervan/RV in NZ, but I was so captivated by your report and I have since watched several of your vlogs, I was so impressed with your report that I liked and subscribed to your channel. Wow, well done you make us Kiwis look soooo good, thank you.
I'm so glad you're telling people the truth about this. There were rumours being spread around in the US and Europe that tourists can just rent a small van in NZ and stay wherever they want for free, which is not true. As you said, many freedom camping sites were shut down by the government after people dumped rubbish and sewage, and the government has also made stricter rules about which kind of vehicle you can freedom camp in (it must have a proper fixed toilet now with a sewage tank).
You can apply for a self-contained campervan warrant which basically means you must have the same amenities as an RF, ie. a sink and hand pump that provides freshwater and I caption tank which collects greywater. Also, you must have a portable toilet, the cookers etc is optional but advisable. Many people convert their vans for this purpose and travel the country.
Awesome VLOG. My wife and I, along with our 2 young kids have booked with Wilderness to tour the South Island for 16 days so getting super excited watching.
You're killing me! Watching you guys "freedom camp" (new term to me) feels just like our summers doing the same in Europe! ah, my heart! I'm dying in this stupid sticks n bricks apt! You guys are having so much fun!
Less snow than I expected! We had snow on the surrounding mountains in the North Island and everyone was very surprised. Maybe be careful with how low the battery goes as it will damage it... I damaged my last battery that way. Freedom Camping is such a touchy subject at the moment. 'Riches have Wheels' have written some great articles about freedom camping from their experience of #vanlife. They're based in Gore if you go that way. Can't wait to watch the next video.
Your videos ARE AWESOME! I have been binge watching your NZ trip. We are going in March (ahhhhhhh, so excited) and we went through Wilderness also. We have planned 2 yrs for this trip, it is so good to know that we made the right decision. We have 3 adults so we are getting the Cruise 4. So far you have been answering all the questions I have wanted to ask.
Thank you for your videos!! We're going motorhom(ing) in Australia for 3 weeks and this made me so excited for our trip!! Thank you for the instructional video on the toilet cassette too. I'm not a scared now ;)
Also, as a side note: We typically strive to never let our batteries get this low because it isn't good for them (we turned the engine back shortly after recording this). :) Okay, that's all. Thanks for watching.
Nice video. Love road trips, camping and exploring outdoors nz. Considering upgrading ute (pickup) and going off grid travelling. From Wellington nz. Ps. boondocking as u call it looks cool
@@heathandalyssa Thanks! Oh, how did you guys refill the water in the camper? Do all the dumping sites provide water and is that what you use to refill the water tanks? I think we'll get the Alpine 2 as well. It looks nice. How often did you have to recharge it? We're looking at a week. Thanks again!
Love how fast you two assimilated to New Zealand and each others clothing options... You both have the same colors on to bring on the snow! I know you both haven't been to Alaska (yet) but you can do the same in Alaska... boondocking almost anywhere. We pulled over so many places with amazing views and stay for days with no hassle. We are off to visit New Zealand next year, so we are so glad you are scouting it out for us! Thanks! We know you are RVers (and so are we) but if you want to know more about sailing, we are uploading more videos on our UA-cam Channel ua-cam.com/users/TheAdventureTravelers
My husband and I looove all your videos. You two are so funny! We're also renting from Wilderness and we have one important question to ask. Does the campervans have a french press for coffee!?
It did indeed! They actually call it a "coffee plunger" over there. You can download our packing list + what our Wilderness came with here: app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/398975?v=7
Still pretty early to tell, but I think I'm sold on the size. For us, it just depends on what kind of travel we want to be doing. If we're blazing through places and moving fast, I'm a huge fan of the idea of being nimble in a 23 ft unit in the US/Canada or wherever. If we were gonna be in places a month or so, it would probably start feeling small (but don't have the latter experience yet).
My wife and I are headed from Oregon to NZ for a month in 2020. Your videos are some of the most informative I have found for "campervanning" in NZ. Thanks!
I am a Kiwi and have never hired a Campervan/RV in NZ, but I was so captivated by your report and I have since watched several of your vlogs, I was so impressed with your report that I liked and subscribed to your channel. Wow, well done you make us Kiwis look soooo good, thank you.
I'm so glad you're telling people the truth about this. There were rumours being spread around in the US and Europe that tourists can just rent a small van in NZ and stay wherever they want for free, which is not true. As you said, many freedom camping sites were shut down by the government after people dumped rubbish and sewage, and the government has also made stricter rules about which kind of vehicle you can freedom camp in (it must have a proper fixed toilet now with a sewage tank).
Seriously classy!! Love that panel and love the freedom camping in New Zealand!! Can’t wait to get there someday!
You can apply for a self-contained campervan warrant which basically means you must have the same amenities as an RF, ie. a sink and hand pump that provides freshwater and I caption tank which collects greywater. Also, you must have a portable toilet, the cookers etc is optional but advisable. Many people convert their vans for this purpose and travel the country.
Awesome VLOG. My wife and I, along with our 2 young kids have booked with Wilderness to tour the South Island for 16 days so getting super excited watching.
Woohoo! Which rig did you get?
Me too, arriving in August with two kids for a first camper van trip. Thanks to these guys we also got a Wilderness despite the premium cost.
Heath and Alyssa Padgett sorry, missed your reply...we booked the Cruise 4. 8 weeks to go 👍🏻👍🏻
You're killing me! Watching you guys "freedom camp" (new term to me) feels just like our summers doing the same in Europe! ah, my heart! I'm dying in this stupid sticks n bricks apt! You guys are having so much fun!
Less snow than I expected! We had snow on the surrounding mountains in the North Island and everyone was very surprised. Maybe be careful with how low the battery goes as it will damage it... I damaged my last battery that way.
Freedom Camping is such a touchy subject at the moment. 'Riches have Wheels' have written some great articles about freedom camping from their experience of #vanlife. They're based in Gore if you go that way. Can't wait to watch the next video.
Great to know, looking for the article now! :)
Your videos ARE AWESOME! I have been binge watching your NZ trip. We are going in March (ahhhhhhh, so excited) and we went through Wilderness also. We have planned 2 yrs for this trip, it is so good to know that we made the right decision. We have 3 adults so we are getting the Cruise 4. So far you have been answering all the questions I have wanted to ask.
That's awesome Rebecca! Glad the videos are helpful for you :)
I have been binge watching your NZ videos, they are brilliant!
De A ❤️ thank you!
Thank you for your videos!! We're going motorhom(ing) in Australia for 3 weeks and this made me so excited for our trip!! Thank you for the instructional video on the toilet cassette too. I'm not a scared now ;)
Glad you guys are nice and warm. Love following your journey- From an Aucklander :-)
Thanks Pauline :) We'll be headed up that way soon!
Also, as a side note: We typically strive to never let our batteries get this low because it isn't good for them (we turned the engine back shortly after recording this). :) Okay, that's all. Thanks for watching.
If they're lithium I don't think it will hurt them.
You can only freedom camp if your RV is completely self contained ie: has an internal toilet.
Beautiful country. And you two are just adorable - that ending. Haha. 😀❤️
Nice video. Love road trips, camping and exploring outdoors nz. Considering upgrading ute (pickup) and going off grid travelling. From Wellington nz. Ps. boondocking as u call it looks cool
Great information. We are planning a NZ trip for 2019. This year Tucson to Banff and back.
We're hoping to hit Banff this summer too!
When are you going? I will be there for 3 weeks in our spring.
I'm diggin' the drone shots
Thanks buddy :)
awesome awesome VLOG! what would you guys recommend... our family of 4 is considering renting on wilderness over maui.... just for 6 day!
Do it!! We really loved Wilderness for the quality of the rig and the customer service. And you really can't go wrong exploring New Zealand!
Hey guys just found your chanel, so glad I did. Im in the very early stages of getting an RV so the info your giving is awesome.
Regard Paul in Napier
I checked out the Wilderness website - curious which model you rented - thanks!
We rented the Alpine 2!
Is it possible to do a roadtrip through the south island staying only at the freedom campsites? Do they provide water and dumping?
The sites don't, but most towns do!
@@heathandalyssa Thanks! Oh, how did you guys refill the water in the camper? Do all the dumping sites provide water and is that what you use to refill the water tanks? I think we'll get the Alpine 2 as well. It looks nice. How often did you have to recharge it? We're looking at a week. Thanks again!
Love how fast you two assimilated to New Zealand and each others clothing options... You both have the same colors on to bring on the snow! I know you both haven't been to Alaska (yet) but you can do the same in Alaska... boondocking almost anywhere. We pulled over so many places with amazing views and stay for days with no hassle.
We are off to visit New Zealand next year, so we are so glad you are scouting it out for us! Thanks! We know you are RVers (and so are we) but if you want to know more about sailing, we are uploading more videos on our UA-cam Channel ua-cam.com/users/TheAdventureTravelers
We have actually been to Alaska before :) and might be going back again this summer, TBD. You're going to love it here :).
How do you find camping spots in NZ if you want to freedom camp? Is there an app?
We used CamperMate mostly to find spots, but there's quite a few apps!
My husband and I looove all your videos. You two are so funny! We're also renting from Wilderness and we have one important question to ask. Does the campervans have a french press for coffee!?
It did indeed! They actually call it a "coffee plunger" over there. You can download our packing list + what our Wilderness came with here: app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/398975?v=7
Would you switch your RV in North America to this unit if it was offered? Could you down size?
Still pretty early to tell, but I think I'm sold on the size. For us, it just depends on what kind of travel we want to be doing. If we're blazing through places and moving fast, I'm a huge fan of the idea of being nimble in a 23 ft unit in the US/Canada or wherever. If we were gonna be in places a month or so, it would probably start feeling small (but don't have the latter experience yet).
Lots of talk, than nature within 9mins.