There is always a feeling of excitement when you are driving down the hill to Mystery Creek for the Park and Stay at these shows. You never quite know what is coming next.

Click on any Image to enlargeI was very lucky to get a spot not far from the gate thanks to the efficient parking from the Counties parking team.

I arrived in the middle of the afternoon on the Thursday, and it seemed like most of those staying was there too. Apparently, they had 900 registered stayers and another 150 odd for power… a great turnout.

On the Friday morning, I went in for my first look and the thing that struck me most was the number of Ozzie Caravan manufacturers here with their raised Caravans. They’re built like Tanks 🙂

Perfect for the rough Ozzie outback. I had a quick look at one of them from a Melbourne company called Urban. Apparently, they’re Tig welded which they emphasised as a selling point.

Click on the Gallery below to enlarge the Urban Caravan

Nicely appointed and they look bullet proof but for a medium sized Caravan, available at $189,000.

So, from there I was off to see the old Cars and Caravans and with their Art Deco decorating they looked stunning. These guys put their heart and souls into these.

Click on the Gallery below to see the vintage Cars and Caravans

I was lucky enough a few years ago to catch up with an old mate from the Herald who I worked with at a Liteweight Caravans get together at Cambridge and it was fabulous. We also met some of the well know members of the family who built them too. See that here.

My next stop was one of the most popular Dethleffs at the Zion stand, the Grand Alpa which is a beast. This comes in at 855cm and is 5.4 Tons and was going as a show special for $341,000. There is also a smaller version of this available which possibly suits NZ roads being 748cm long.

Click on the Gallery below to enlarge the Grand Alpa

This the outside of the XLI as the Grand Alpa was jammed in but they look identical from the outside.

I really enjoyed catching up with some old friends on the Dethleffs stand, some that I caught up with later for a cold one as you do 🙂

I popped over to the NZMCA stand and checked in there. Nice to see the happy faces there too.

I also checked out the new Rockwood’s and they’re massive insides with all the slide outs. Very nice and nice seeing a smart bunk layout for the kids.

Click on the Gallery below to see the Rockwood 5the Wheeler.

In the Gallery below is a general roundup. I saw the new Weber Traveller Barbeques which look great. Apparently, they have a complete set of extra bits and bobs just for these new models.

Click on the Gallery below to enlarge ..

No 1 Reo NZMCA

The Weber Traveller

Trailite Caravan

The Galley area inside Trailite Caravan

Inside the Trailite Caravan

Looking through the Trailite Caravan

The bedroom – Trailite Caravan

It was off to the tented pavilions then. From floating sunglasses to Gin, it was all here.

Click on the Gallery below for the outside exhibits.

Outside in the Park and Stay, it was fun, and I bumped into quite a few people I knew. By the Saturday though, there were some big holes opening in the parking which was interesting. People getting in early and going.

Click on the Gallery below for lots of white Motorhomes

This was the first one I’ve been to where there was a Stay and Eat area too for those parked so that was fun. A great show and lots of friendly faces.