Tenting, or motels - discuss.

[Wolf]

Don't believe in paying for camping grounds when there are so many awesome stop ta pitch for free in NZ. ...Ya really haven't bike toured NZ if ya haven't done the Impromptu Outdoors Biker Camping Thing IMHO. Don't be Soft C's. Get in to it Dudes and Dudettes

Which raises the question: where are you allowed to "faire le camping sauvage" when on the road? Are you permitted to pitch your tent in one of the many rest areas that dot our highways and by ways? Or must you locate a scenic bush walk and wander a few metres up the track?

[RiderInBlack]

Which raises the question: where are you allowed to "faire le camping sauvage" when on the road? Are you permitted to pitch your tent in one of the many rest areas that dot our highways and by ways? Or must you locate a scenic bush walk and wander a few metres up the track?

Never been to worried about the legal side of it.
If the spot is on some farm land I try ta find the landowner/farmer and ask. It's the Country Etiquette thing. Besides if ya lucky and come across farmers like us ya just might get a floor or bed instead. If they say no, well not harm done, ya ride on a bit.

Road verges big enough so ya bike and tent are well off the road with something that hides ya tent and bike from the road are fair game for me. So are most rest areas that don't have a no camping sign.

Done the DOC land thing even where there is a no camping sign. But have made sure the bike and tent can not be seen easily from the road.

I choose my sites carefully as I'm more worried about someone doing something to my bike than anything else. I'm never at any site for more over night so by the time anyone has noticed I'm there, I've gone.

[Wolf]

I choose my sites carefully as I'm more worried about someone doing something to my bike than anything else.

That'd be my big concern, too. I know a couple of rest areas with lots of bush and cover where you could park and camp out of sight but most I've seen you'd be out in the open. Would not be able to get to sleep for fear that the local Yahoos would spot the tent and bike and cause problems - would rather be "off the beaten track" up in the bush or at a dedicated camping ground where casual wanderers are less likely to go.

A few motion detectors and an automated weapons system to set up as a makeshift perimeter would be cool, though...

[Podo]

We are flexible about accomodation, as long as it has got 4 walls, roof, 8' stud, insulation, plumbing, drainage, electricity, code of compliance certificate and somewhere secure for the bike.

[Wolf]

We are flexible about accomodation, as long as it has got 4 walls, roof, 8' stud, insulation, plumbing, drainage, electricity, code of compliance certificate and somewhere secure for the bike.

So, no hostels, huh.

[Hitcher]

We are flexible about accomodation, as long as it has got 4 walls, roof, 8' stud, insulation, plumbing, drainage, electricity, code of compliance certificate and somewhere secure for the bike.

You forgot Sky TV and a spa. A plunger and ground coffee doesn't go amiss either...

[Roj]

We are flexible about accomodation, as long as it has got 4 walls, roof, 8' stud, insulation, plumbing, drainage, electricity, code of compliance certificate and somewhere secure for the bike.

so the cold kiwi would almost qualify, of course, it is only the club members that can use the unit they had in their area but I am sure it would meet those requirements, unless you meant that the facilities had to be available for your use.

[Wolf]

You forgot Sky TV and a spa. A plunger and ground coffee doesn't go amiss either...

It'd have to be a fresh fill spa and if you're going to stay in a motel you might as well hold out for one that has an Espresso machine...

[Hitcher]

you might as well hold out for one that has an Espresso machine...

H'aint found one of those darned furnangling appliances in a motel yet. May never leave if I do...

[babyB]

Yep she's a tough one (what a woman, most girls I know can't even handle Backpackers let alone tents). Introduced me ta to joys of sleep under the star (no tent, waterproof sleeping bag and our bike leathers). Was Awesome, but glad it didn't rain that night, LOL.

called travelin light.... (not a kitchen sink in sight )
spontaneous crusing is such freedom

[alman]

Where the hell do you find those in NZ?

Usually my g/f and my travel plans revolve around where we can find the nicest accomodation at reasonable price. Any accomodation with a double spa usually does it...

check out cabins at camping grounds they often very reasonable especially top ten franchise ones they have spa's available also

[slimyxylofone]

Has anyone camped at the White Horse Hill DOC Campsite near Mt Cook? I'm planning on strapping a little tent onto the bike and staying there by myself in a few weeks. Looking foward to getting out by myself.

Anyone know what the road access is like (gravel etc?) and whether my sprot bike will be okay?

[scumdog]

Has anyone camped at the White Horse Hill DOC Campsite near Mt Cook? I'm planning on strapping a little tent onto the bike and staying there by myself in a few weeks. Looking foward to getting out by myself.

Anyone know what the road access is like (gravel etc?) and whether my sprot bike will be okay?

Can't answer your questions but I'll ask you one: are you going to the great KB Rally to Mt Cook on 9th-10th December?

See the 'Otago - Southland Great KB Rally' thread for more info.

[scumdog]

We are flexible about accomodation, as long as it has got 4 walls, roof, 8' stud, insulation, plumbing, drainage, electricity, code of compliance certificate and somewhere secure for the bike.

Me? As long as there is ground to lie on and I'm suitably 'alcohol enhanced' then a flat (ish) piece of ground is all I require.

[slimyxylofone]

Can't answer your questions but I'll ask you one: are you going to the great KB Rally to Mt Cook on 9th-10th December?

See the 'Otago - Southland Great KB Rally' thread for more info.

Would be keen but I'll be living in Auckland for the summer. This trip to Mt Cook is a detour on my ride up from Dunedin to Auckland.