This is a seriously amazing place. I just love the way the good folk of Oamaru have looked after and encouraged their heritage.
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The Historic area is just something else. It doesn’t matter how many times we come, there is always something new and different to see.
I especially liked the welcome to Orclanders post Covid on the back of an old truck.. just lovely.
Wonderful welcomeThe other side of the Orclander truck 🙂
We stopped in for lunch one the way from Geraldine and Dunedin.
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At the historic precinct
Interesting cafe
Iconic for Oamaru
Its really interesting looking at the records of the Criterion Hotel which reveal that one of the past owners were the McLeod brothers who owned it for some time. Fiona’s Dad’s family came from Timaru and Geraldine. It would be interesting to see if there was a connection there.
The wharf
A great spot with plenty of great Cafe’s and things to see and do.
This is one town that if I was going to leave Auckland, I’d go here. Its also Fiona’s dads family home and Fiona’s aunties old house is well known around town. Her Aunties car is also in the Geraldine Car Museum.
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We would normally stay in Peski’s just out of town but we had planned to host some old Devonport friends who invite us to dinner every time we are here so we thought it’d be nice to shout them to a nice meal in the local Hotel.
Ollie and Pam
Ollie and Pam run a B&B just out of Temuka and he is a professional Chef so as they same in the game, it must be nice to occasionally have someone else cook up a nice feed for you.
Oodles of roomNice new cabins
We checked in at the Geraldine Top 10 which was effortless and very hand to the Geraldine town centre and the pub!
The new Barkers setup
I remember last time we were here, there was a big house in the main street which was for sale and if my memory serves me right, they were asking only around $400k for it! I twitched a bit but it needed a lot of money spent on it. I see that Barkers bought it and have put their new shop and Café behind. The House has been superbly done up and is now used as a B&B. Nice!
The main street
After going out for a look around and after being tipped off by the very friendly lady in the Hardware shop, we checked out the new Gin distillery in the main street where you can taste different Humdinger Gins fresh from their still.
The MuseumCrafty shops .. best cheese around
One of the noticeable things about our walk through the town is the lack of foot traffic and everyone was VERY appreciative of us spending in the town. The locals were still hiding from Covid so it seemed. A shame for the retailers.
Later in the day, we walked back to Rafe (about 5 minutes!) and got organised to meet Pam and Ollie at the Village Hotel. I had Roast Pork .. WOW.. amazing. And it was like a mini mountain of amazing food!
The top 10 is a great spot and so handy to the town.
This fine establishment was created by Murray Boyd over the course of three years.
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Murray at the Bar
Murray descends from a long line of early settlers of the area from Ireland and has done wonders with his creation from scratch of an early Irish Hotel, complete with the mud hut look. Its an amazing achievement and to top it off has also created a Motorhome and Caravan park along with some amazing gardens.
There’s a mountain range there somewhere
We popped in here on an earlier trip south and spent a couple of days here waiting out some very dreary Kaikoura weather but had fun here all the same.
The Gardens
The weather this time wasn’t much better but with a great Irish welcome from Murray, a nice Gin for Fiona and a Chardonnay for Moi, we were very happy.
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Good parking
The Parking
The Gardens
The main bar area with the History on the walls
Amazing fireplace
Looking around with the family history on the walls, you really get a sense of what a huge job he’s done and its a great spot to stay. They also do a lot of events here.. great spot.
The main bar area with the History on the walls
The last time we were here, the weather was slightly nicer.. check it out here.
We left Plimmerton really early as we had heard that both ferry companies were under the pump.
Arriving almost 45 minutes early, the queues were already established so everyone else had the same idea 🙂 Just as well Bluebridge were letting people in early.
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In the queue
I sort of look forward to the ferry crossing but always with some nervousness of getting Rafe on and getting across to Picton without damage but so far, there’s never been an issue.
Getting a cabin was an exceptional idea as as soon as we got on board and got our cabin, we were off to a shower and a tidy up before getting something to eat and drink.
About to leave Wellington
The weather was looking good and we were looking forward to an easy sailing.
Oriental Bay
We spent quite a bit of time up on deck taking it all in. I was amazed by the number of windmills on the hills along the coast.
Coming into the sounds, The InterislanderRafe in the garage below
We arrived in Picton on time and headed for a Road Café just south of Blenheim for a cuppa and something to eat before we cruised on to Kaikoura. A very pleasant crossing.
We arrived in Wellington from Turangi later in the day and parked in the fantastic Plimmerton NZMCA park which was pretty busy. While we were enjoying a nice glass of wine, more Motorhomes and Caravans rocked in until it was pretty much a full house!
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The Plimmerton NZMCA park
Our neighbours were doing fish and chips from the Plimmerton fish and chip shop so we joined them and later ate them together down at the Plimmerton beach. Very pleasant!
Fiona’s cousin Shona and her other half Mark live right opposite the Fish shop so we tried knocking on their door for a surprise visit. It was fantastic to see them and they were bowled over by our appearance at their door.
Wellington Railway station
The next morning, we caught the train into Wellington Central from the Plimmerton station and one thing I’ve always liked about Wellington station is its amazing design.
Amazing building – Wellington Railway Station
After having a coffee at Fiona’s favourite French Café, we walked down towards the Macs bar by Te Papa for lunch. Very civilised I thought 🙂
Wellington Railway station
On the way there, I couldn’t believe the dearth of people in central Wellington streets. Wellington is usually alive and kicking but not today ( mid monday morning in Covid red zone).. very sad for the retailers.
Where is everyone
I did a shot down one of the main streets, Featherston street, and there were no people or cars for blocks. Hopefully this comes back after Covid settings ease.
Down by the water in Wellington
The sky started to look a bit threatening and I didn’t have any wet weather gear with me so I started to head back to the train station leaving Fiona to come back later.
the Marina in Wellington
A fun day in Wellington. The next morning we were on the Bluebridge ferry.
Over the last few trips we’ve done to the South Island, there’s always been something getting in the way of us getting to Stewart Island. Last time, it was a stonking great tax bill that we weren’t expecting that made us change a few things. It later turned out to be incorrect.
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The new NZMCA park at Turangi.
This time, we had our ducks in a row and all was looking good as we headed down Auckland’s southern motorway towards Turangi. It has been a few years now since our last attempt at the south island so we were looking forward to the month or so on the mainland.
The idea is to head straight to Stewart Island and tick it off before anything gets in the way 🙂 and then Milford sound on the boat and anything else we find along the way. Exciting times!!
A Nice park like setting.
We’d penciled in the new Turangi NZMCA park as it is years since we had a good look around Turangi.
Cruising in to Turangi, we had a quick look around the town before going to the park. Checking in at the park.. its a biggy with two levels of parking. Its like it is set up as the grand circle and the stalls but nicely done.
Being only 10 minutes walk from the township, its a great place for checking out Turangi.
Its also quiet and secure too. A great place to park on your way south (or north). Well done to the volunteers who set it up.
After we left Cambridge, we both decided we weren’t ready to go home so we headed east and while driving decided on heading to Mount Maunganui. I’ve got several friends who have stayed at the campground at the beach and I’ve been wanting to give it a go.
Up and over the Kaimai’s and onto the mount was easy and we arrived not much after midday.
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The reception people were fantastic and we were given #1 park which they said was a bit of a treat as it was a Sunday night. #1 park is right next to the surf club and as close as you can get to the beach… absolutely a primo spot.
The Campground
There was a beach volley ball competition right on the other side of the surf club which was a final of a competition and it was well set up with a big audience watching. A real buzz.
Beach Volleyball champs
There was an endless stream of people walking along the boardwalk, both up and down the Mount, only feet from our bumper. We were right in the thick of it!
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The Boardwalk and Volleyball setup
Beach Volleyball champs
Walking the Boardwalk
Cabins with a view
Great Location
The Campground
I went for a walk around to get the lie of the land and some images and had just posted one with my phone on Facebook when we got an immediate reply from Fiona’s cousin, Malcolm and Michelle who had just arrived at their apartment along the road. They had come from Raumati beach.
An hour or so later and we were having tea with them in Rafe looking out at the beach in front of us.. magic.
Right on the Beach
We were going to check out the hot pools which are half price if you stay here but crashed instead.
The next morning, we had a coffee with Malcom and Michelle at their apartment and then headed home. Its a great place to stay and we were very fortunate and lucky to get on the front row so to speak but I think doing it again, a few rows back would be just fine for me.
A very well setup park with new ablution block and everything that opens and shuts..
On the edge of the Waikato river at Karapiro is an amazing complex set up for our competitive rowers. All the top rowing regattas are held here and most of our top Olympic and Commonwealth Games Rowers and Canoeists all train at this fantastic facility.
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Nice parking on the lower camping areaDown by the river
Attached to this is the Campground run by Liz and her assistants and it is HUGE. There are two campgrounds and they’re dead flat. The top one is set back a bit from the river but has a view through the trees and the bottom campground, right on the river.
The Dethleffs Rally on the top campground
We had arranged to host the 2022 Dethleffs Rally here tip toeing a bit around the Covid outbreak which was at its peak. We lost a few due to Covid and about 8 or so more wanting to keep their heads down.
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Rowers finishing for the day
Rowers watching other races.
We spent some time at the Café here which is great too.. nice food and great coffee and an easy walk from the Motorhomes in either campground. Its a great spot for just watching the rowing too with a cuppa in hand.
It is 7 k’s odd from Cambridge and there is a bike trail all the way in so bring your bike. There is a no dogs policy but cats are ok.
During the Dethleffs Rally at Karapiro, there was a group of cyclists who biked into Cambridge on the bike trail.
On the way there the keys to John and Kirstie’s Motorhome somehow managed to break free and were later found by a friendly Cambridge local.
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John on the phone
It was quickly established by the local who the group on bikes were and he set about getting the keys back to John and Kirsty by handing them to a couple of Police officers in a patrol car in Cambridge.
In the meantime back at Karapiro, John and Kirsty were locked out of their Motorhome with the spare set inside.
John Peats pic of Kirsty doing an impression of Spiderman!
A plan was hatched to get Kirsty (the smaller of the two) up onto the roof and to climb in through the hatch above their bedroom. John Peat was hand to get a magnificent picture of Kirsty’s legs in the air half way into the hatch 🙂
The Keys arrive. Kirsty and John with the Police.
About an hour went by and a very kind couple of Police officers in the Police patrol car found time in their program and came to drop off the runaway keys. It was good to see the faces change from concern to smiles for everyone and it was by then time for a cold one.. very timely 🙂
The venue was the Mighty River Domain at Karapiro which was fantastic. Given that the last Dethleffs do a few years ago was here and was a big success and after talking to the camp manager Liz who couldn’t do enough to help me, it was a done deal!
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Just before kick off, we had nearly 50 people coming (limit of 100 red light) but by the weekend, we’d lost quite a few so that was a bit disappointing. A couple caught Covid and others were hunkering down. We’ll try for one next year. So we had about 25 people which worked well.
On the Friday everyone started arriving from the middle of the day onwards.
My GPS sent us to cross the Dam but when I got there, there were limits on both weight and length due to the curve in the dam. We were at the front of the one way queue but managed to back out of the way when the light went green. There was one hardy Dethleffs soul who went across anyway.. he was later presented the bravery award !
Later in the day, Jonas and Irene arrived.. (Mr and Mrs Dethleff of NZ) and Jonas started to cut up a whole lot of meat he’d got from the Pokeno Butchery for everyone.. one of the best around. Just about everyone provided a salad .. a great communal effort and the variety was amazing.
Irene and Jonas with the meat.
I was a bit reluctant to take on this fantastic quality meat and burn it or undercook it so Jonas took on the cooking role which he did to perfection helped by John O on his BBQ.
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The Meat!
Irene and Jonas with the meat.
After tea, the campfire seating plan was retained for a social session and later outside various Motorhomes.
The next day, those who brought their bikes hit the bike trail into Cambridge to a café which was about 7 k’s away.
Fiona and I were joined by a few at the park Café overlooking the lake for a couple of hours until the cyclists returned.
The afternoon was spent with everyone sussing out each others Motorhomes and a good catchup.
For many this was their first Rally or Motorhome get together and the feedback was fantastic.. “when is the next one?” was a common question!
Later we reassembled the circle of chairs and all enjoyed a meal and a few drinks together and more fun times outside some ones Motorhome.
One the following morning, we all caught up at the Café and a group pic to celebrate the occasion.
The Team pic
A good result. Although I’ve been involved in helping previous Dethleffs and NZMCA rallies with parking (one with over 400 motorhomes!) this was something quite different.. especially with the germ floating around.
Fiona & Chris, two empty nesters put their dreams of doing something different into reality… Now back in a house, they were living in their Motorhome, come along for the ride.
The Historic area is just something else. It doesn’t matter how many times we come, there is always something new and different to see.
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