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P&S Adventures on the road
  • Stella Richards
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  • Stella Richards

P&S Adventures on the road

A 4019-day adventure by Stella Read more
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    🇳🇿 Whakatāne District, New Zealand
    Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Free parking, outta Matata

    January 18 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    Hey everyone, welcome back 👋
    We’ve just spent a lovely week parked up at a beach just out of Matatā (or Matata). There are no freedom camping signs and no signs saying no freedom camping either. It’s clearly a popular spot during the day and in the evenings, especially with local fishermen, and there were a few others parked up here as well.
    There are no facilities, but that didn’t worry us. We were parked roughly 20 metres from the railway track, with at least a dozen trains going past each day, and the main road is probably another 10 metres beyond that. Honestly, it didn’t bother us at all.
    Maggie had a great time too, even though it was very hot — some days well into the low 30s. On the hottest days she chose to stay inside where it was cooler, and on others she was happy to sit underneath the van watching the world go by.
    We even made a local friend — a rooster who came over to say hello and have a good chat, until some kids chased him off. He was lovely and certainly didn’t disturb us at all.
    We’d definitely stay here again. We even managed to sneak in a fishing session, and Paul caught a lemonfish (rig) roughly a metre long, using our trusty Dcinka sinker, which does a great job of lifting the line off the bottom 🎣
    NetSpeed worked well here too, with no issues for us.
    #MaggieTheTravelingCat #LifeOnTheRoad #LivingTheLife #LoveFreedomCamping #P&SAdventuresOnTheRoad #LoveFishing #NetSpeed    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Lake Whakamaru

    January 9 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Lake Wakamaru (Waikato River)
    What a huge freedom camping spot! As we’ve now found out, it’s very busy at this time of year — and for good reason. Tents, campers, motorhomes, caravans, buses… if it’s got wheels (or pegs), it was probably there.
    Plenty of summer fun happening with jet skis, water skiing, biscuit towing behind boats, and loads of families making the most of the sunshine. Even though the place was quite packed, it still managed to feel peaceful — and it was really lovely seeing so many young kids outside having fun, just like we did back in the day.
    We spent two lovely nights here. Facilities are available, including long-drop toilets and showers. We also noticed a large rubbish bin on site this time around — and there are usually rubbish bins here at other times of the year too, which is great to see.
    Maggie thoroughly enjoyed her time as well, alternating between sitting in the sun like royalty and hiding away on her chair, chilling. She did have a small dog wander up and try to give her a kiss… one quick tap on the nose from our princess and the dog ran off crying 😹 Moral of the story: don’t invade Maggie’s personal space.
    All in all, Lake Wakamaru is a great place to stay. Busy in summer, full of families, water activities everywhere, and a really nice spot right on the Waikato River.
    #LakeWakamaru
    #FreedomCampingNZ
    #LifeOnTheRoad
    #LivingTheDream
    #SummerVibes
    #MaggieTheTravellingCat
    #OffGridLiving    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Tongaporutu freedom

    Jan 4–7 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We’ve just spent three lovely nights at Tongaporutu, by the Three Sisters 🏞️
    This was actually our very first stopover when we hit the road full-time, so it’ll always hold a special place for us.
    We absolutely love this spot. So peaceful, heaps of room, and it still manages to pack out every night. There’s no water, no rubbish facilities, nothing flash at all — and yes… the long drops are pretty horrible, stinky, and come complete with a fan blowing the smell around 🤢😂
    But despite that, it’s still a magic place.
    Maggie loved all the attention from people walking past (as usual 😺), and we even put a little table out to sell some of our goods, which was really nice and a great chance to chat with fellow travellers.
    One of those places that reminds us why we chose this life ❤️
    Back where it all began.
    #MaggieTheTravelingCat
    #LifeOnTheRoad
    #VanLifeNZ
    #FullTimeTravel
    #FreedomCamping
    #LivingTheLife
    #P&SAdventuresOnTheRoad
    #ThreeSisters
    #Tongaporutu    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Ninia Rd Park over

    Dec 8–Jan 4, 2026 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Well hey guys, welcome back.
    It was so good to be back in New Plymouth—catching up and surprising our mate was awesome.
    We stayed at Ninia Road, also known as Ninia Park Over, and what a great spot. Over New Year they even had live entertainment when the weather played ball. It’s always been a good stopover when we’re in New Plymouth, but it’s definitely our go-to now.
    There’s so much room here. You can empty your grey water at the on-site drain, there’s fresh water available, and rubbish facilities as well. The NZMCA Park is just around the corner if you need a full dump station.Maggie was straight into it, doing fence-line patrols and sniffing out every bunny hole like it was her full-time job. Ears up, nose down, on the hunt. But just like us, she’s happy to pack it all up and hit the road again—chief explorer back on duty and ready for the next adventure.
    #MaggieTheTravellingCat
    #BackOnTheRoad
    #LivingLife
    #LoveFreedomCamping    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Peir @ the salt works

    Nov 18–23, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    We decided to park up at the pier down by the salt works. Had the place to ourselves for three out of five nights — so peaceful! The workers would drive down now and then to check the intake or just sit and watch the sea. Always friendly, with a smile and a wave.

    Fishing was okay for us. I landed a grey boy who’d swallowed the hook, so we chose to keep him, as we’d been told they’re good eating. In the past we’ve always released them. Another chap turned up, fishing in a competition — he needed to land an over-one-metre rig, which wasn’t happening that night, so everything he caught went back.

    The scenery put on a real show though. The fog rolled in from the Marfowl Beach DOC camp, over the hills, out toward the main road, then swept out to sea and wrapped around behind us. It was fascinating how quickly it moved.

    No facilities here, and it’s a drive down a gravel road after the sealed road ends — but well worth it if you enjoy quiet, wide-open space and solitude.

    #Netspeed worked great on 4G, no issues at all.
    Cell phone coverage with Spark was also excellent.
    #P&S AdventuresOnTheroad #MaggieTheTravellingCat #LoveFishing #LifeOnTheRoad #OffGridLiving #TravellingNZ #BeachLife #FishingNZ #SaltWorks #FoggyViews    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Marfells beach doc camp

    Nov 5–11, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Beautiful spot with a few trees to shelter behind. We even managed to get a fish in! 🎣
    Caught one large grey boy shark and about four or five baby sharks — all released. Also hooked a spiky shark, released too.
    It was such a beautiful day, with plenty of locals down over the weekend on their quad bikes setting and retrieving their cray pots.

    There are two toilet blocks here, both with outdoor sinks for washing dishes. There’s an upper and lower level for camping, and if you’re into walking, a two-hour walk as the tide’s going out will take you around the point to a lovely lighthouse. 🏝️

    This place is really something special — we loved it! 💙
    #LifeOnTheRoad #FishingNZ #MaggieTheTravellingCat #VanLifeNZ    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Parnassus nzmca

    Oct 1–4, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Just spent two lovely nights at the Parnassus NZMCA Park — plenty of open space to spread out and even drinking water on tap (always a win!). We hardly noticed the trains during the day, and if any went past at night, we must’ve been snoring louder than they were! 😴🚂
    #NetSpeed works great here
    #MaggieTheTravellingCat
    #LifeOnTheRoad    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Pop in Swananoa

    Sep 27–Oct 28, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After five and a half weeks parked up — our first real stop in three years on the road — we’re finally rolling again! 🚐💨

    We’ve been tucked away in Swannanoa, our own little secret garden, and it’s been absolute bliss. 🌿 The wind put an end to our fishing for a while, but it gave us some much-needed downtime. We still managed to end up with around six pounds of whitebait (took about a week to get there!), so we’ll definitely be back. 🎣

    Maggie has also loved her time here, especially with all the long grass around us — she’s been in her element. 🐾💚

    Over Labour Weekend we did have a couple of neighbours park virtually on our doorstep (even though there’s a whole paddock!), but thankfully they were only here for a couple of nights, so not too bad. 😉

    We’re leaving with a lovely clean van after I gave it a good wash, and it feels great to be hitting the road again. Not sure where we’ll stop next, but we’re excited to see what’s ahead! Thanks for following along on our adventures. ❤️

    #VanLife #OffGridLiving #WhitebaitSeason #Swannanoa #LifeOnTheRoad #MaggieTheTravellingCat    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler
    1

    Oamaru A&P showgrounds

    Sep 23–25, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    A&P Showgrounds in Oamaru – what a lovely spot to stay! 🚐✨
    Plenty of room to spread out, plus the bonus of toilets, washing machines, a dryer, water, and even rubbish on site – such a treat to have those little conveniences on the road.

    Best part? We even bumped into some of our lovely followers here 💕 It was so lovely to catch up with @WendyandJonathan, and also @Shell. Such a big area, yet it still feels welcoming.

    Maggie even enjoyed a walk and a nibble on some grass in the beautiful sunshine yesterday 🌿🐱

    NetSpeed worked perfect here as well ✅

    Highly recommend this spot when passing through Oamaru – only 💲5 per person per night!

    #NetSpeed #MaggieTheTravelingCat #GreatWeather #Oamaru #OamaruAMPAssociation    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Braids hill playground freedom

    Sep 15–18, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We’ve just spent a few days at Braids Playground Freedom Car Park. It’s a two-night maximum stay, but with the severe wind and rain warnings, we tucked in for a third night.

    It’s right on a stunning beach with powder-like sand and walks around rocky little island-like outcrops. The rocks even look like petrified timber – such a cool spot to explore!

    This is a pack in, pack out site, with just one picnic table and space for about 3–4 vehicles to camp. It’s also a very popular dog-walking beach, so there’s always someone pulling in to give their dogs a good run. 🐕

    Maggie didn’t spend much time outside with the weather, but she happily supervised while we laid new carpet tiles in the caravan. She takes her project manager duties very seriously. 🐾

    Netspeed was just around the corner, so we popped in to say g’day. It was only a quick visit as it had been a big trip for Paul and he wasn’t feeling the best by the end. But our Netspeed modem works perfectly here on 4G. Thanks for watching!

    #Netspeed #MaggieTheTravellingCat #FreedomCamping #LifeOnTheRoad    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Lowburn freedom

    Sep 10–14, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 1 °C

    Hei all, welcome back 👋
    We’ve just spent four nights at the Lowburn Freedom Camp. It’s a really large site with plenty of space to spread out. Facilities include flushing toilets, plus a long drop (closed during the winter months), and even rubbish collection – always handy!

    The maximum stay here is three nights, but after checking the Windy app we saw severe gale-force winds were heading our way, including the area we were planning to travel to. So, we chose to play it safe and stayed an extra night.

    Maggie spent most of her time inside this stop. There were a few dogs around, but they were tied up, so she felt safe and cosy indoors. 🐾

    While we were here, snow fell on the surrounding hills, giving us a stunning snowy view right from our caravan windows – absolutely beautiful! ❄️⛰️

    We even met a couple from New Plymouth – not just from New Plymouth, but from our old neighbourhood in Fitzroy! How cool is that? We also met a few other lovely couples here, and it was great to have a chat and share some stories.

    Our NetSpeed connection was sitting between 4G and 5G, and the cell phone coverage here was great.

    #NetSpeed #LowburnFreedomCamp #LifeOnTheRoad #LoveLivingLifeOnTheRoad #LifeIsGood #MaggieTheTravellingCat #Freedom #LivingLife    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Pleasant flat Doc camp

    Sep 8–10, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We’ve just spent two wonderful nights at Pleasant Flat DOC Campsite in Mt Aspiring National Park. 🌿

    The campground has four flush toilets 🚻, plus a covered shelter with a table and bench seats. There are two main parking areas — better suited for motorhomes and smaller caravans. Larger caravans need to park lengthways. We parked across a double space, which worked well for us.

    It’s rained the whole time ☔ but hey, that’s camping life, that’s life on the road! Phone coverage here was pretty minimal, but NetSpeed 4G worked perfectly 👍 — such a relief to have reliable internet when reception is patchy.

    Poor Maggie had to stay tucked inside because of the weather, but at least that kept the sandflies out! 🐾

    Thanks for following along on our adventures! 💚

    #NetSpeed #MountAspiringNationalPark #LifeOnTheRoad #LoveLivingLifeOnTheRoad #LifeIsGood    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Otto/MacDonalds creek

    Sep 4–8, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    We’ve just enjoyed four wonderful nights at Otto MacDonald’s Creek. 🌿 This DOC camp has all the basics and more – flushing toilets, two separate parking areas, shelters with picnic tables, and even a double sink bench.

    It’s set right beside a small river that would be perfect for cooling off in summer, and there’s also a lake with its own little stony “beach.” Not sure if it’s the best for swimming, but it’s certainly a peaceful spot to sit and take it all in.

    Even though it’s close to the highway, it’s incredibly quiet and relaxing. Nature put on quite the show too – over three nights and two days we had thunder, lightning, and hail storms roll through. Who doesn’t love a good storm when you’re tucked up safe and dry in the van? ⚡🌩️

    Maggie had a wonderful time here too – she even got out for a walk on her lead, soaked up the sunshine, and had a good roll in the gravel. 🐾 DOC were fine with her being here since she was on a lead, so everyone was happy.

    And once again, NetSpeed kept us connected the whole time – we’re so glad we made the switch! 📶✨

    #VanLife #NZTravel #DOCcamps #OffGridLiving #TravelNZ #LifeOnTheRoad #Netspeed    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Punakaiki freedom

    Aug 24–31, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We’ve just spent seven lovely nights at Punakaiki, Macmillan Road. ⛺ This freedom camping spot is usually a two-night limit, but with the storm rolling in we decided it was best to stay put.

    We had it all – heavy rain, thunder, hail, and strong winds 🌩️💨 – so hunkering down was definitely the safest option. Thankfully, the area wasn’t busy while we were there, otherwise we’d have moved on.

    One thing you have to watch out for here are the crafty wekas – they’ll take anything that’s not tied down! They even tried to make off with our steps (as some of you may have seen in our video a few days ago). Maggie enjoyed her time outside when the weather cleared, sitting in the grass, watching the wekas squabble over the tiniest crumbs. 🐦🐾

    We even managed a wee bit of fishing on the two fine days we had 🎣. Caught some good fish too – a couple made it onto our dinner plates, and the rest went back to live another day. 🐟🍴

    No facilities on site, so it’s strictly pack in, pack out 🚮 – but our NetSpeed 4G internet worked perfectly the whole time. It hummed along without missing a beat, unlike our previous provider. 📶✨

    And luckily, the wekas didn’t manage to run off with our dinner… or the modem. Bloody crafty little bastards! 😅    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Aerodrome road freedom

    Aug 20–22, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We’ve just spent two lovely nights at the Greymouth Aerodrome Road Freedom Camp. Such a handy little spot—right by the beach with a walkway and bike track, and only a quick scoot into town. 🚴‍♂️

    On one of those scoots, Paul decided to play Jeremy Clarkson (“speed and power!”) and came a cropper… straight into a wire fence, across the footpath, and rolled onto the side of the road. 😳 I nearly had a heart attack, but thankfully he’s okay—just stiff and sore (though that could be as much his long COVID as the tumble).

    Maggie chose to stay safe inside the van this time, as a few dogs wandered past without leads. 🐾 Probably a wise move on her part.

    Last night, someone thought it was a great idea to do burnouts almost outside our door. We must have been absolutely dog-tired because we didn’t hear a thing—only spotted the skid marks up the road in the morning!

    Our new NetSpeed mobile internet worked perfectly on 5G here, so that was a big win. 👍 Definitely a spot we’d recommend—and one we’ll be back to.    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Barkers creek freedom

    Aug 13–20, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    We’ve just spent a lovely seven nights on Coast Road, parked up at the rest area beside Barker’s Creek. Not only is it a rest area, but also a freedom spot. 🌿

    Friendly locals wandered by walking their dogs on the beach, and we even had a go at fishing. Paul landed a rig about a metre long – that beauty has done us a few delicious meals! 🎣🐟

    Nights here have been so peaceful, with just the odd toot in the morning (maybe friends going past saying hello? 👋). No facilities at all, but the creek is crystal clear – could be boiled up if needed.

    The only downside? The sandflies are on steroids here! 🤦‍♀️ Pro tip: tuck your pants into your socks – it’s not a fashion statement, but it works. 😂

    Maggie has loved the long grass, happily chilling in the sunshine with mum and dad. 🐾☀️

    And to top it off, our new NetSpeed 4G has been running perfectly here – not a single issue. Highly recommend if you’re looking for reliable internet on the road! 📶💻    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Hokitika NZMCA Park

    Aug 6–11, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Five nights here and we’ve loved every minute. Took a quick 30-minute drive to Hokitika Gorge — absolutely stunning, and there’s even a track if you fancy a walk. We, of course, opted for the scooters because, well… scooters.

    We also went treasure hunting on Serpentine Beach and another nearby beach for greenstone. Shockingly, we actually found a couple of tiny pieces. I may have checked twice to make sure they weren’t just shiny pebbles.

    Fishing report: six fish. Or maybe seven. Could’ve been five. Let’s just say there was “a number” of fish, and only one was a keeper — an elephant fish — caught by none other than Paul. First one of the season, so naturally, he’s claiming full bragging rights.

    Maggie kept herself busy patrolling the park, rolling on the stones, and following her nose anywhere a bunny had been. I’m pretty sure she’s convinced we came here solely for her bunny-sniffing expeditions.

    The weather? Couldn’t have been better — a huge improvement on our last visit.

    Oh — and a little news! We’ve just teamed up with NetSpeed for mobile internet. If you’re looking to join, you can use our promo code " psadventures"for a nice discount on your new modem. The modem’s only been out for about a month, and so far it’s working great for us — even out here.    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Nelson Quay – Greymouth

    Aug 4–6, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We’ve just spent two lovely (and windy!) nights at Nelson Quay, tucked right near the end of the Greymouth River. Such a peaceful spot!

    We watched a few trawlers come and go, and even managed to snap a photo of one heading out over the bar this morning. It was pretty cool to watch it from the van, bobbing up and down as it made its way out to sea.

    Sunsets weren’t too bad either! We had flush toilets and rubbish bins just outside the door, and some truly wonderful neighbours.

    Maggie chose to stay inside for this one—there were a few visiting dogs on the loose, so she decided it was a good time for naps and watching the world from the window.    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Punakaiki – Mcmillan Road Freedom Campi

    Aug 2–4, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    A peaceful wee gem just off the main road and right by the beach — what more could you want? Okay, maybe a toilet… and a bin... but hey, it’s pack in, pack out here, so bring your own everything (including patience if the sea is stormy like it was for us).

    We came for the weekend with grand ideas of catching a fish or two, but the ocean had other plans — wild, rough, and definitely not in the mood to share. Instead, we spent our time being thoroughly entertained by the local wekas.

    Maggie set herself up in the long grass under a big dock leaf, doing her best impression of a jungle cat while watching the wekas patrol the area like they owned the place. It was quite the show — wekas strutting around, Maggie crouched like she’s on National Geographic.

    There’s a stunning cave system if you walk right along the beach. We didn’t do it this time (too blustery!), but we’ve been before — it’s absolutely worth the walk when the weather behaves.

    We had two neighbours the first night, four the next. We imagine it’d be packed in summer — just a gravel area beside the beach, but a very popular one.

    Stormy seas, nosy wekas, and a cat in stealth mode... honestly, not a bad way to spend a weekend!    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Cobden Bridge, Greymouth – Our Latest St

    Jul 30–Aug 2, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We’ve just spent a few nights at the Cobden Bridge freedom camping area in Greymouth. You’re allowed to stay up to two nights here in a self-contained vehicle, but we stayed an extra night, making it three in total, as Paul wasn't feeling the best. He’s much better now, thankfully.

    It’s a free spot with rubbish bins, a dump station, and drinking water available. Designated parking is at the end of the area. Even though it’s close to the road, we found it reasonably quiet. Being winter, it wasn’t busy—just a couple of others around during our stay.

    And the sunsets? Absolutely lovely!    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Westport nzmca park

    Jul 24–27, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Parked up at the Westport NZMCA Park, right next to the beach—and what a beautiful spot it is 🌊🚐
    The sound of the waves and the wekas is so calming. We sat and soaked up the sunshine, just enjoying the moment.
    Took the scooters into town for a little explore—some great shops and lovely, friendly locals.

    Maggie also enjoyed walking around the park with her mum and soaking up the sunshine. She’s loving the peaceful vibes just as much as we are 💛🐾    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Nelsoncreek reserve

    Jul 18–25, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Waiting on a heater replacement, we were pointed in the direction of this lovely little spot — Nelson Creek Reserve.

    For those able to get out and about, there are a couple of walking tracks and even a spot for gold panning! The reserve has flush toilets, a dump station, and non-drinking water.

    During the day, the odd logging truck rumbles by on the road above, but otherwise it’s peaceful. There are firepits too — you can even phone and buy a bag of firewood if you like. In summer, there’s a swimming hole, and I hear it gets pretty popular then.

    At $10 per adult or $25 per family per night, it’s starting to get up there in price — but not bad considering what’s around.

    And just across the road? A great little pub with a pool table, friendly locals, and top-notch meals.

    Where do you find all this, you ask? Well… Nelson Creek Reserve, of course!    Read more

  • Stella RichardsP&S Adventures on the roadTraveler

    Lake Pearson

    Jul 10–15, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Lovely spot along Arthurs Pass, This is a doc site, so you need to book. 2 longdrops and non drinking water ( boil) onsite.In the middle of no where its a great place to sit back and watch the world go by. There are plenty of people the stop in for a rest along the way. In summer people swim in the lake. We have stayed here in the summer and it gets very busy, winter is nice to see the snow in the distance.Read more

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