Beach views and being responsible in mix for freedom campers – Stuff.co.nz

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German campers Johannes Michel, left, Dominic Moirano, Janne Bahmann, Laura Kahl and Josephine Krause at the Wairau Diversion reserve. The group met mostly through their travels in Australia and in the North Island.

Freedom campersare enjoying the best of Marlborough's outdoors, and saymost don't abuse the privilege.

Caitlin James and Grant Kilton were at a freedom camping site in Anakiwa on Thursday.

They came to New Zealand with the intention of doing more freedom camping after hiring a "certified self contained" vehicle.

But the pair quickly realised the vehicle was not quite what they had envisioned, so had spent a lot of time in campsites instead.

READ MORE:*Two new rangers in Marlborough as freedom camping season kicks into full gear*Freedom camping study and toilets get tourism funding in Marlborough*Freedom camping bylaw to be reviewed for fourth time in Marlborough

They had planned to go to the Abel Tasman after arriving in Picton from Wellington, but after stopping at a winery someone told them to check out Anakiwa.

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Jean-Luc Carre, left, 7, Jamie Kidd and Hugo Carre , both 6, with dog Jet at Anakiwa.

They knew freedom campers had a reputation - in Marlborough the freedom camping bylaw is due to be reviewed for the fourth time.

"I think part of the problem is that self contained, doesn't actually mean self contained, the quality of vehicles is misleading," James said.

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Caitlin James from Australia and Grant Kirton from Britain in Anakiwa.

"But it's just about being responsible, it's always that one person that ruins it for everyone. Butideally, we'd have a better car, so we're spending more time in backpackers instead."

Blenheim residentJamie Kidd said he liked that freedom camping sites allowed him to see his own region.

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Hugo Carre, 6, has been camping in Anakiwa for a week, spending his days biking and swimming.

Although he had not met other Marlburianswhile camping, he said everyone had been responsible.

"It's been glorious, everyone we've come across have been friendly and well behaved," Kidd said.

He was camping with family friends, who had children that had been spendingtheir day biking, swimming and exploring the Sounds.

Earlier this year the Marlborough District Council received $183,610 in government funding for additional rangers to help staff manage the influx of freedom campers during the busy tourist season.

SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF

Antoine Debost in Rarangi after coming off the Picton ferry.

Between 2016 and 2018 statistics show the number of freedom camping visitors to Marlborough's 13 sites increased by 5000 visitors, from 7000 to 12,000 campers.

Kidd said he had seen the rangersout and about and thought it was good there was some regulation of camp grounds.

A group of tourists from Germany were at Wairau Diversion Reserve just outside of Blenheim - which had about a dozen vans parked up on Friday.

Theyhad met in Australia and in the North Island and were still deciding which parts of the South Island to travel.

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Josh Fraser, from Vancouver Canada has freedom camped all around the world - but chose not to in New Zealand because backpacking is affordable.

They had mainly spent their month in New Zealand hiking and checking out different beaches.

Similarly, Antoine Debostfrom Belguim who was solo travelling said he did not have any set plans but was keen to check out some surf spots in the region.

He said he usually checks apps such as CamperMateto see where he could camp.

Josh Fraser, from Vancouver in Canada had freedom camped in other parts of the world - but said he had chosen not to in New Zealand.

"The backpackers are cheap enough as it is, so I decided to go that route instead," Fraser said.

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The Marlborough District Council had employed two new rangers for the season to regulate the region's freedom camping sites.

Read more here:

Beach views and being responsible in mix for freedom campers - Stuff.co.nz