From top to bottom, express covers the top gay New Year options.
Uretiti
30km south of Whangarei, just off State Highway 1 is a Dept of Conservation campsite at Uretiti. The camp has only limited facilities and is not exclusively gay. BUT – it is the party central for revelers between Christmas and New Year. Go right at the DOC hut when entering and keep an eye out for a rainbow flag.
With direct access to the beach there is plenty to do here – a nude friendly area and cruising spot plus surf casting, swimming and sunbathing will all vie for your attention. Bruce the bus belts out the music while a sea of bodies, champagne flutes and debauchery keeps the action going, even after New Year. Bookings are required. Go to www.doc.govt.nz
Family Bar
Right in K Road, the evergreen Family Bar are celebrating New Year’s Eve with their Masquerade Party hosted by your mysterious masked lady Miss Ribena.
In house DJ’s Crunchy and Wanda will get you dancing the night away! Spot prizes for the best mask.
Vinegar Hill
Vinegar Hill is two hours north of Wellington, five hours from Auckland and is just off State Highway 1 north of Hunterville. It sits on the side of the Rangitikei River with big clay cliffs and bush to give you a feeling you are tucked away from the rest of the world. Gay campers have been coming here since 1977 and it really is a friendly sort of place with garden competitions, camp Queen, New Year’s bonfire and the drag king and queen shows.
Many of the hundreds who come to Vinegar Hill have been regulars over many years so it’s a great meet-up place. It attracts both young and older people from all over the North Island. There are toilet and shower facilities – and Hunterville is only 15 minutes away when you have to get food or shelter in the friendly motel. It can get cool so take warm clothes and bedding. The gay & lesbian area is separate from the general area. Just keep going left as you enter. Bookings not required.
Autumn Farm
Peter and Pete run Autumn Farm on the outskirts of Takaka. “This is a space for our queer family to get together, relax, play and do the summer holidays in a supportive environment” says Peter.
Situated at the northern most tip of the South Island, Autumn Farm is a mens only clothing optional get away with optional accommodation options including camping. A newly opened pool will be a great success. Later in the summer a nudist week is a popular too!
Go to www.autumnfarm.com for further details.
