Jill Waterman didn’t really intend to become a camper owner. Together with her husband Max, she’d wandered into a caravan  and camper show – and walked out with a camper.

That was almost two years ago. Jill says the couple have been travelling New Zealand’s back roads and wild places ever  since, with trips of up to two weeks, and have never looked back.

“That’s how it was. We saw it the caravan show, and we walked out with a camper. We weren’t looking hard, knew we weren’t  ready for a caravan but we were tired of tenting it and sleeping on the ground.”

After some discussion, the couple agree: they have done 13 or more ‘proper’ trips. So far, it’s all been South Island touring.

“We’ve been up as far as Nelson and Golden Bay, done Hanmer Springs, lots of others.”

So far, the list of trips goes to Picton, Hanmer Springs, Havelock, Marlborough Sounds and that epic stay at Totaranui/  Golden Bay.

“That place is stunning, so warm, beautiful beaches, lots to see and do.”

Their GLI Excursion Series 1 camper trailer was their first, so before taking on the more ambitious touring they also did some  short try-out trips closer to their home at Leafield Beach in North Canterbury.

Standout features of the camper include the kitchen and stove.

“It’s really good. A four-burner stove, drawers for utensils and condiments, plus a decent sink, there’s hot and cold water on  tap, it’s all very functional.”

Jill says the format means they can leave a campground and drive to a nice location, fire up a cooked breakfast and hot  drinks and enjoy their breakfast in the best possible landscape.

Other standouts include the heavy-duty canvas used, which is an excellent barrier against rain and even keeps out sub-zero  morning temperatures.

A bug-free interior is a huge plus, with all the windows featuring full-size flyscreens.

“No sandflies or mossies, just fresh air. And in places where the bugs aren’t so annoying, the flyscreens can also be  unzipped, putting us right in the countryside.”

The dining area is u-shaped – “so comfy” – and features a centre table similar to those used in big motorboats.

There’s a rack for kayaks and the couple also take mountainbikes for local exploring.

The unit is towed by the couple’s Holden Colorado and tows ‘like a dream’.

“Visibility is perfect, because it’s the same width as the tow vehicle so even narrow roads are no problem and we can go lots  of places where larger campers and caravans can’t.”

At the end of a stay, packing up is simple. The ‘knock down’ happens in minutes, and the queen bed can be left made up.

In bad weather, Jill says they will take down the annexe awning before packing up to keep the process simple. Only a few  times has departure been delayed by weather.

“We do watch the forecast and sometimes decide to wait out a storm.”

The couple have camped in morning temperatures of -2 degrees.

“The camper has a 5kw dual vent diesel heater, so we didn’t realise. We just fire it up in the morning, jump back under the covers and after a few minutes we get up and turn the heater off.”

The heater she adds, is very fuel efficient.

“It warms the camper fast, and the heavy-duty canvas really holds the heat.”

And buying from from GLI?

“Grant’s been amazing. He has explained all the systems, gave us heaps of advice. We added a charging system so the unit  charges while travelling. GLI are really genuine people. They just sort things out on the spot.”

For more information on beginning your own off-road camper adventures go to www.glioffroad.co.nz.