It’s official, summer is here and it’s time to party! Like any good New Zealander, we know you’re packing your bags and getting ready to skip town like a bank robber, so we’re providing you with the biggest and best places to park your tent this New Year’s period. Whether you’re into camping it up with camp people or boogying down at a New Year’s party, we’ve got you sorted!

GLBT camping

Vinegar Hill


The iconic Vinegar Hill camping ground has become the most popular way for the GLBT community to spend New Year’s. Starting out with just six young gay men in 1977, the camp has grown into a fully-fledged festival of events, competitions and good old-fashioned fun in the sun. 
The Vinegar Hill party starts long before New Year’s Eve itself – some people even head there for Christmas to spend time with the friends they consider family. Once Santa has dropped by, the camp starts filling up, with approximately 1500 flag-wavers heading to Vinegar Hill from as far abroad as Canada, America and neighbouring Australia.


The camp is famous for its competitions and events that run throughout the New Year period. Think you’ve got what it takes to win the best legs, best buns or best boobs? Bust ‘em out and see if you’ve got the chops! Meanwhile, campsite flair has become a big part of what makes Vinegar Hill special, so make sure you pack your bling as you head out for the Hill – the awards praise lighting, decorations, technology and the campest camp!


The camp’s longest-running tradition is the crowning of the Queen of Vinegar Hill. Crowning the queen started out quite accidentally in the mid-’80s, but has become a way to recognise work done by a few generous people to get the camp running in a fun and functional way each year. Every year, a counsel of former Vinegar Hill Queens get together in a secret ceremony to decide on who will wear the crown, before announcing the winner at 11.55pm on New Year’s Eve. The Queen is entrusted with running the following year’s celebrations. 


Vinegar Hill is as department of conservation (DOC) campsite, so registration fees do apply. It’s just $5 a night, however – cheaper than you’ll find most commercially run campsites and twice the fun! If you’re heading to Vinegar Hill for the first time this year, make sure you check in with the Queen to receive a welcome pack and some information on where to camp – you wouldn’t want to set up in a spot someone’s had for 30 years! 


Vinegar Hill is located inside the Putai Ngahere Reserve in the Manawatu Region of the Lower North Island, 40 minutes past Taihape driving South and 10 minutes from Hunterville when coming from the South. The reserve and campsite are located off State Highway 54 and are signposted from State Highway 1.
 Vinegar Hill is about a five-hour drive from Auckland (463km) and just over two hours from Wellington (185km). And don’t worry if you get lost, check with a Hunterville local – they are familiar with the location of the camp.


Autumn Farm


When you live in an idyllic place like Golden Bay, there must be no reason to leave. The area is known for having more sunshine hours than almost anywhere in the country, friendly locals, fresh produce and constant visitors. So imagine our surprise when Autumn Farm owner, the strapping and oh-so-tanned Peter Finlayson, arrived on express’ doorstep earlier this month. It’s the best time for Peter to take a break from his little slice of paradise to visit family, because as soon as the summer months kick in, Autumn Farm is abuzz with activity.


The gay community worldwide knows Autumn Farm, which has been going strong since way back in 1984. Peter and his partner Pete are constantly hosting people from all over the world who visit Autumn Farm to walk the grounds, take part in the party atmosphere provided at a number of special events and relax in the warm and welcoming vibe Peter and Pete provide. 
Autumn Farm is also popular with greenies – travelling WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) exchange hard work for accommodation… and a bit of peace and quiet!


If you’re wondering how Peter maintains his glorious all-over tan, look no further than Autumn Farm’s Naked Week and Naked Week Plus, a time for gay men to bask in their natural beauty as they go about their daily lives. express is a fan of Naked Week, because the photos provided are always a bit of cheeky fun! Whether the boys of Naked Week are posing in bathtubs, campervans or with a garden hoe (we’re meaning the tool, not the personality type!), we always know we’re in for some fun when the cameras get snapping. 


Autumn Farm runs summer camp for New Year’s revellers from 27 December until 03 January, but if you’ve got some spare time, make sure you either stick around or return to Autumn Farm for Naked Week Plus – 04 February until 12 February. You may just shake off that pasty white winter tan! Summer camp is $10 per day (events included) and Naked Week is $50 per day (meals and events included). For more information on this location, visit www.autumnfarm.com.


Uretiti 


We’ve got a special feature on this annual gay hotspot. Click HERE for more info!


New Year’s Eve parties


Rhythm and Vines

29 – 31 December

Waiohika Estate, Gisborne


Gisborne is the first place in the world to bring in the first sunrise of the year, so if you’re wanting to check out the last January 01 of the Mayan calendar, Rhythm and Vines is the place for you. Now in its ninth year, the winning festival at last year’s NZ Tourism Awards is heading back to the lush green hills of the Waiohika Estate as a new year dawns. Featuring over 100 acts on four different stages, there is something for everyone! The lineup this year includes Australian dance rockers Pendulum, hipster DJ Calvin Harris, the legendary Grandmaster Flash and local cuties Kids of 88.


The ever-growing BW Campgrounds began simply as one campground with a bit of a spin but has now grown into something much more than that. BW operates five camps now all within walking distance of each other and hosts over 13,500 people each season! The 2010 festival sold out, hosting more than 25,000 people, so get in quick to avoid missing out!


Highlife
NYE 
31 December

Matakana Country Park


Hot on Rhythm and Vines’ heels as one of the best New Year’s events around, Highlife NYE, held at the magnificent Matakana Country Park in the beautiful surroundings of the coast and winery district features five areas of music accompanied by an array of themed party and chill out areas for you to enjoy. 
Joining the titanic international line-up are over 30 local music acts including P Money, Bulletproof, Bevan Keys and Dick Johnson, as well as a range of your favourite music genres – funk, indie, house, hip hop, electro, jazz, drum ‘n’ bass and more. 


Coromandel Gold

30 and 31 December


After last year’s record sell out, Coro Gold is back for two days on 30 and 31 December. Held in the beautiful surroundings of Coromandel’s Ohuka Farm, Coro Gold is three kilometres from Whitianga town centre and a stone’s throw from Buffalo Beach. Plenty of camping is available and buses will be running from Whitianga and local beaches.


Tickets to New Year’s Eve have sold out, but if you’re in the area, tickets to the epic 30 December event are still available. Head along to Coro Gold to check out funk-rock behemoth Kora, seven-headed soul-dub monster Fat Freddy’s Drop, a rejuvenated reformed TrinityRoots, The Upbeats, psych-rock swampers The Nudge and Jon Toogood from Shihad’s with his all-star group The Adults which also features Shayne Carter, Julia Deans and a few special guests. Get your tickets for Dec 30th and be a part of the Coro Gold experience. 


Earthtonz

31 December

Gibbston Valley Winery, Queenstown


Check it out, South Island! A New Year’s Eve party that caters to you! Earthtonz has been set to specifically cater to South Island residents and holiday visitors who would usually have to travel north to celebrate New Year’s Eve at a major international concert. 
Are you ready to spend New Year’s Eve in one of the most picturesque places on the planet with some of the world’s hottest electronica, techno, dubstep, progressive house, hip-hop, beatbox and drum n bass acts’ New Zealand’s newest annual music festival EarthTonz is set to roar across Southern Alps this summer with over 15 hours of live music featuring Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee (we’re serious!)the legendary Crystal Method, The Freestylers, DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, New Zealand’s own Minuit and so many more. With the majestic background of Queenstown’s Crown Ranges and the Kawarau River, the Gibbston Valley Station has it all, including on-site camping from 30 December (only $15 for two nights!), free on-site parking, showers and bathrooms, 24-hour security, medical facilities, mobile/e-charging device stations, merchandise and plenty of food and drink options including award winning Gibbston Valley wines. Tickets are just 150 bucks! Check out www.earthtonz.com for more information.

One night gigs


Shapeshifter – four dates nationwide


One of New Zealand’s most spectacular live acts is heading around to our favourite holiday spots this New Year’s. Providing listeners with huge summer tracks such as “Electric Dream” and “New Day Come”, this drum ‘n’ bass powerhouse will be playing four dates in some sunny spots. Check them out at Ascension Vineyard in Matakana on 29 December, Riwaka Hotel in Motueka on 02 January, Brewers Field in Mount Maunganui on 06 January and Waihi Beach Hotel on 07 January. 


La De Da

30 December

Dry River Road, Martinborough


Going bigger and better with two stages this year, La De Da combines a chilled winery vibe during the day with a non-stop party atmosphere by night across a Main Stage (Dub & Roots) and Electronic Stage (Dubstep and Drum & Bass), to bring you the best of both worlds. The show features Fat Freddy’s Drop, State of Mind, Kora, Sola Rosa and Concord Dawn, as well as many more!


Ladi6 Hitches a Ride


Fresh from a successful summer in Europe, Ladi6 is looking forward to hitching a ride with some of her favourite New Zealand bands and intends to wield her knockout show proving to Kiwi audiences why Ladi6 is now so highly regarded overseas. This year Ladi6 plays two shows alongside a re-jigged and rejuvenated TrinityRoots, followed by a show with The Black Seeds at Mangawhai and two shows with Kora. For full show details, visit www.ladi6.com.