CANTERBURY: KAIKOURA

UPDATE: 6-Mar-2018

This stunning location was completely destroyed in the Kaikoura earthquake

Paparoa Point Reserve is on the rugged Kaikoura Coast, close to seal colonies. Overnight parking appears to be allowed for self-contained motor caravanners.

We were continuing our journey north, just having spent a magical couple of hours watching the seal pups at the Ohau Walkway and Waterfall. We didn't know where we were going to stay for the night, and noticed a number of other motorhomes parked in the Half Moon Bay reserve as we were driving past.

There was plenty of room, so we found a nice spot to park and decided to stay for the night. There were no signs about overnight parking.

It was a stunning location. As the sun was setting on the west coast, it was also lighting up the east coast sky with delicate pinks and purples. An adult seal was parked on the grass only 5 or 6 metres away from our van. He was totally uninterested in us, and was still there in the morning when we left.

The next morning we enjoyed swapping experences with the other campers. I was assured that this was a great location for crayfish, and right on cue, one of the local fishing operators returned from setting his cray pots for the day.

For us, this is what freedom camping is really all about - being able to stay in locations like this is priceless.