A comfy type of camping
When Angelena and Graeme Hancock go camping they really do bring everything – even the kitchen sink.
The self-employed couple have been regulars at the Oakura Beach Motor Camp for the past eight years.
‘‘We’ve never slept in a tent while camping,’’ Angelena said.
Their current accommodation choice is a 10-metre-long caravan imported from the United States which can sleep six.
The caravan includes a full kitchen, fridge and freezer, a double bedroom with ensuite shower, and walk-in wardrobe, and a dining area.
Outside a satellite dish is hooked up to provide Sky. Internet access is provided by free wi-fi available throughout the camping ground. The temperature inside is kept cool by air conditioning.
‘‘It gets so hot in here on a hot day so the air conditioning comes in very handy,’’ Angelena said. ‘‘I fell sorry for anyone in tents.’’
The Hancocks aren’t alone in turning up the comforts on their camping trips.
Air-conditioned caravans, family sized pole-free inflatable tents, insect-proof sun shades, camp-kitchens and even inner sprung beds mean the camping holiday is not quite as rough and ready as it once was.
The modern camper can watch live cricket on Sky, sip an ice cold beer from a gas powered fridge and avoid the shared facilities by using a chemical toilet under solar powered lights.
New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Beach Motor Camp manager Damian O’Connell said the trend towards making a camping holiday more comfortable had been occurring for a number of years.
‘‘We get more people asking for powered sites, even if they have a tent, because they usually have a fridge or a TV they want to use,’’ he said. ‘‘Many of the camper vans have TVs now and caravan owners come along with satellite dishes to get Sky.’’
O’Connell has also seen campers bring in more gas bottles and barbecues to cook meals even though there are kitchen facilities provided.
‘‘Some want to have an open fire but we have to discourage it here because we have so much dry grass around next to the beach.’’
Hunting and Fishing New Plymouth store assistant Adam Priest said the range of camping items available now was very different to what was available in the past.
Solar-powered lighting, chemical toilets, gas and electric powered fridges, bamboo tables, electric fish smokers, and gas ovens were all in demand from campers wanting to bring a bit of luxury to their tenting experience.