Joe Flinter stopped for a break at Ocean View Recreation Reserve freedom camping site in Dunedin on Wednesday. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE
The 23-year-old from Newcastle was on a two-week holiday and spent the first week skiing in Queenstown with friends.
He and his Scooby Doo-themed campervan were in Dunedin mid-week, and he was planning to head to the West Coast when The Star talked to him at Ocean View.
He stayed in a backpackers on Tuesday and Wednesday was his first night sleeping in the camper van.
So far, his freedom camping experience in New Zealand had been positive.
"I'm having a great time.''
Freedom camping in the South Island was on the bucket list of many Australians.
"It's so beautiful here - you'd be mad not to.''
SHAWN.MCAVINUE @thestar.co.nz
