We’d read in our guidebook that New Zealand has freedom camping, places where self-contained certified camper vans can pull up and stay overnight at no cost. Self-continued means the van has fresh and grey water storage and a toilet. The Toyota Hiace we’re renting from Britz qualifies.   

Taupo was the first time we sought out a freedom site, we pulled into the designated area along Ferry Drive and initially thought it was full. A desire to gawk at a strange rig (a white flat-bed Iveco truck with a green fifth-wheel trailer attached) led me to walk the area, and I saw that slot 1 was open. We quickly circled back and became the happy owners of a lake view slot for the night. 

Dinner was prepped, we watched a sunset as we ate, then retired to the van, set up the bed and settled in our mobile lakeshore cottage.   

The next morning, no alarm clock is needed as the birds and local trash trucks making the rounds of the park announce the day break. (Of which, Cindy heard nothing!) Around 8 am our neighbor campers started leaving to beat the 10 am move out time. Evening move in officially starts again at 5 pm, but there were  a few vans in the lot all day. 

As compared to our other options in Taupo, the freedom camp is by far the better choice. It’s smack in the heart of downtown, right on the lake by the harbor, museum and rose garden, and there’s a Superloo with showers in the park across the street!  

In addition to the 14 or so slots marked at the freedom area, the beach parking lot slightly west on Ferry Rd. at Ferry and Redoubt St. has a sign saying that self contained campers are allowed there between 5 pm and 9 am.