In the spirit of both getting back to nature and also thriftiness, a lot of campervan travellers in New Zealand like to freedom camp where they can- that is, stay somewhere that is not a designated campground and is free. The good news for them (reported by Stuff.co.nz) is that the Nelson City Council is considering relaxing its strict rules on freedom camping. Currently completely banned, the council is looking at ways to change the bylaw, allowing a bit more flexibility for campervans. Keep an eye out for updates on this, and soon you may be enjoying a cheap but very cheerful campervan road trip in sunny Nelson.
As in the rest of New Zealand, freedom camping will still be regulated with the aim of preserving New Zealand's environment. Freedom camping is an option only for self-contained vehicles.
Abel Tasman National Park
by brewbooks Flickr Creative Commons
