All posts by Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

Founder and Creator of Buggeritweareoff.com. Ex Newspaper Photographer and Commercial Photographer for more than 40 years.
Wairarapa 25

Hunkering Down at Greytown

We’d been really lucky with the weather so far, but with a front on the way and rain in the forecast, we figured it was a good time to head to Greytown and check in with Ken at the Greytown Holiday Park.

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These Caravans are effectively cabins you can stay in.
Lots of room at Greytown

This park is a real gem, set on a council reserve and just a short walk from the heart of town. We first met Ken around six years ago, and he’s been running the place brilliantly ever since. It’s competitively priced, relaxed, and nothing ever seems to be a problem.

Ken’s new project. New Caravans for accommodation.

Ken was telling me about his new project with some replica Heritage caravans he has setup for more accommodation. They’re fully powered and look very comfortable.

Inside the new caravans

The rain came and went, but with umbrellas in hand, it was easy enough to duck between the amazing little shops that line Greytown’s main street. We visited a few cafés, browsed through some boutique stores, and then popped into a gin tasting shop, as you do.

Amazing shops

We came away with a bottle of Greytown Gin. Fiona chose a variety called Frostbite, which seems to be a local favourite. It comes in a refillable hip-flask-style tin, perfect for future visits!

Click on the Gallery below for images of Greytown.

From the Soldiers Walk
The Soldiers memorial walk
Inside looking the other way.
Ken’s new project. New Caravans for accomodation.

There’s also a great little walkway that runs along the edge of the Holiday Park, which we think is called the Soldiers Memorial Walk. It’s a lovely shortcut into the camping area, and we used it often while we were there.

The Soldiers memorial walk

We’ve had some great times at this park over the years, and after two nights we even considered staying longer. But with Martinborough vineyards and some bike riding still calling, and the weather still holding, it was time to move on.

Rafe’s tracker map to Greytown – Armada GPS
Wairarapa 25

Parked in Parkland at Masterton

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On previous trips to Masterton, I’d always struggled to find decent parking for 8m Rafe anywhere near the main shopping area or even close.  It was a real treat to discover there’s now a new NZMCA park that solves all that!

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Lovely park

This was our first visit to the relatively new Masterton NZMCA Park, and it’s an absolute cracker. There’s a raised walking track built on a bund beside the river that leads to a swing bridge and right into a park that’s basically in the heart of town. It’s an easy 15-minute stroll into central Masterton.

Neighbours at Masterton

The park itself is well set up with a dump station, fresh water, and huge parking bays. It has to be one of the best we’ve stayed at.

The track with the river beside.

The next day, we wandered along the river into the park for a look around. My two-year-old grandson has recently developed a big fascination with trains, and sure enough there was a ride-on, small-scale diesel train doing loops through the gardens. I couldn’t resist grabbing a quick video to send to him. He’ll love it!

The lake around the train.
Looking along the river from the swing bridge.

After that, we explored the local museum, which is actually part of a wool shop complex. Tucked in alongside it is the Fire Museum, which turned out to be a real gem. Some of the displays were created by Peter Jackson’s crew, which added a bit of cinematic magic to the experience.

Click on the Gallery below to see more Images of Masterton

The ride on train
Looking along the river towards the suspension bridge.
Horse drawn Fire Appliance
In the wool display
Shearers in the Wool area.
Masterton

Right next door was a lovely little café, perfect for a relaxed lunch, and then straight next door again was the supermarket, so we stocked up the pantry too. Everything was super convenient.

We both found ourselves wondering whether we should just stay an extra night, but the wine trails of Martinborough and the boutique shops in Greytown were calling… so it was time to keep moving.

Rafe’s tracker map to Masterton – Armada GPS
Wairarapa 25

Windmills at the Red Barn

After a great night at Turangi, we hit the road heading south toward Masterton.

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At the Red Barn

We weren’t entirely sure how far we’d get, but thought somewhere around Palmerston North would do nicely for the night. Several friends had raved about a Park Over Property called the Red Barn, so I gave them a ring. Colleen picked up, warmly welcomed us, and just like that, we were sorted for the night.

The turnoff for Palmerston North is just a few k’s past the Makohine Viaduct. Not far along that road is Vinegar Hill Campground, and the drive winds up over some pretty steep hills before dropping into long, straight roads with stunning views heading into Palmerston.

The Red Barn

I was very thankful for Rafe’s trusty 3L Iveco engine on those hills; it handled them like a champ.

We arrived at the Red Barn mid-afternoon, sunshine blazing. Colleen came out to meet us and show us where to park, carrying a big bag of feijoas, no less! I absolutely love those things. The smell alone took me straight back to being a wee fella in short pants, mowing the lawn around my parents’ feijoa trees… and inevitably mowing over a few fallen ones too.

Colleen was fantastic, helpful, and full of local knowledge. The park itself is nestled up near some hills that are absolutely covered in wind turbines. It’s a pretty awesome sight watching them all spinning away. Something quite peaceful about it.

We settled in with a sneaky G&T, watched some TV, and enjoyed the simple luxury of powered parking. Bliss.

The next morning, we set off again, aiming for Masterton via Pahiatua. We weren’t quite sure of the best route, and, armed with two GPS systems that completely disagreed, we managed to get ourselves properly lost. Classic!

Getting up close

Eventually, after backtracking and resetting things, one of the GPSs picked up the Fitzherbert turnoff, and up the hill we went, right into windmill country. Seeing them up close is something else, they’re absolutely massive, and when you’re standing underneath them with all the blades whooshing away, it’s pretty surreal.

We cruised through Pahiatua and rolled into Masterton again around mid-afternoon… and would you believe it, brilliant sunshine yet again! The weather forecast had been all doom and gloom, but so far, we were enjoying nothing but blue skies and couldn’t be happier.

Rafe’s tracker map to Red Barn – Armada GPS
Wairarapa 25

Away to the Sunny Wairarapa

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It’s been a wee while since we’ve both had a break, so we were really looking forward to heading down toward Masterton and Martinborough for a couple of weeks away.

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Tongariro on the way down.

We hit the motorway in perfect weather, with hardly any traffic thanks to the school holidays, a nice bonus!

Our first stop was Cambridge for fuel, and then we headed into the town centre for lunch. It was absolutely buzzing with people everywhere, very busy!

A really popular part of the park.

Back on the motorway heading south, we’d originally thought about stopping in Taupō, but with the school holidays and the V8 car races in town, we figured it was best to avoid the traffic chaos and carried on to Turangi.

Turangi NZMCA park

After stopping briefly in the Turangi township at one of our favourite coffee spots, we headed off to the NZMCA campground.

Turangi’s NZMCA camp is fantastic and even better now that they’ve got a dump station. The weather was stunning, though there were hints of bad weather brewing. Still, we had a great night there.

Ruapehu looking great

Next morning, we hit the road again, heading south via the Desert Road. It’s the first time in ages that I’ve seen the mountains so clearly and with no snow! We had to pull over and soak it in.

Lunch was at the Waiouru Army Museum, such a great spot. There’s good parking out the back for motorhomes too, which made it an easy and relaxing stop.

Rafe’s tracker map to Turangi – Armada GPS
Close to home, Shows

Covi Motorhome Show 2025

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The best way to describe this year’s Covi Motorhome Show?  Quiet but interesting.

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Dethleffs XLI

It was an interesting show with some exciting new things to see. The trend towards smaller motorhomes continues, but the big rigs were still out in force, many with new tricks up their sleeves.

In the Jayco pavilion

A couple of notable new entrants caught my eye:

  • The Frankia K Peak, a 6 metre motorhome on a Mercedes base
  • The Sunlight Adventure also 6 metres, built on a Fiat base

Click on the Gallery below for the Frankia K Peak

Frankia K Peak
Frankia K Peak
Frankia K Peak
Frankia K Peak
Frankia K Peak

 

Click on the Gallery below for the Sunlight Adventure

Dethleffs Sunlight Adventure
Dethleffs Sunlight Adventure
Dethleffs Sunlight Adventure
Dethleffs Sunlight Adventure
Dethleffs Sunlight Adventure

Fiona was working, so I arrived midday Thursday, while she planned to join me Friday after work in the car. It was great catching up with some old friends from Waikato NZMCA, who were handling parking duties at Ellerslie Racecourse.

This year, there was also a Zion Motorhomes parking area on a nice flat asphalt section, so I slipped in there easily. Later in the afternoon, a 4:30 ish Happy Hour kicked off behind one of the motorhomes—always a fun way to wind down!

The Dethleffs Area

Show Day

On Friday morning, I hopped on the free show bus to the showgrounds and started cruising the stands. A few highlights:

  • The new Swift Basecamp just under 6 metres but still a 4-berth with all the usual add-ons, including a TV aerial. Small but perfectly formed!
  • Stopping by the NZMCA stand for the annual team photo, a must-do tradition!
The NZMCA Team

Click on the Gallery below for the Swift Basecamp

Swift Basecamp
Swift Basecamp
Swift Basecamp
Swift Basecamp
Swift Basecamp

A lot of the usual accessory vendors weren’t there this year, which was a shame. I always enjoy checking out all the handy bits and bobs.

Bruce and Robyn from NZ Today

Fantastic Parking Effort

With all the changes happening at Ellerslie Racecourse, the parking team did an incredible job fitting hundreds of motorhomes and caravans into some tricky spots between trees and in tight spaces, all while keeping it neat and organized.

Click on the Gallery below for Parking Images

Looking across to the Dethleffs Parking area.

Fiona arrived Friday night, so we took advantage of having the car and treated ourselves to a Japanese dinner—yum!

A Fun Weekend

Catching up with motorhome friends is always a highlight, and despite the quieter show, it was still a great weekend.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Click on the Gallery below

The Food Stalls did well.
RV Super Centre
The UCC stand
Our happy hour in the Dethleffs carpark
Our parking in front of the grandstand.
Waikato

2025 Dethleffs Get Together in Cambridge

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Cambridge has become another favourite place and with the Raceway providing such amazing facilities for an event like this.  It makes it really easy to organise.

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Looking pretty good.

Having a separate area to park, the Restaurant and normally a Burger shop along with the excellent Waikato River Bike Trails along the river means you can’t really go wrong 🙂

The Raceway

This was to be my last Rally as chief bottle washer, so it had to be a good one.

Peter and Judy’s Esprit with us behind. The two oldies!

We arrived just after midday to find Peter and Judy and Joss and Ben had already made themselves comfortable. They had left some room for us right next door 🙂

Peter and Judy’s Motorhome is a 2013 Dethleffs Esprit Low profile which was imported privately from the UK. It has the same 3 litre Iveco motor and associated running gear that we have in Rafe so it goes really well 🙂

It wasn’t long after that before everybody started arriving. Over the course of two days, we ended up with 21 Vehicles. We had quite a few more who were going to come but the over booked diary got in the way 🙂

It wasn’t long before the 4pm happy hour rolled around and with the wind whistling in the driveway, our usual spot under a big tree would have been unpleasant so we all setup up in a big area between two Motorhomes.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

On the bikes – pic by Liz Tahana
On the bikes – pic by Liz Tahana
On the bikes – pic by Liz Tahana
Downtown Cambrideg
In the Restaurant
In the Restaurant
In the Restaurant
The Taem photo
The bike riders
Ben with his van behind at Happy Hour
some of the cars on their way to Frankton

Fiona and I had missed provisioning Rafe as we were depending on the Burger Bar, but it was closed so the only thing to do was join Peter and Judy and others for tea in Restaurant went down well as it was Steak night 🙂

The next morning was when we normally do the bike ride, and I hadn’t really organised anything, but I got our reasonably early to find many were setting up their bikes.

Liz volunteered to take the reins and lead everyone safely down the Waikato River to Tamahere and back with a stop for a cuppa on the way. Fantastic.

While they were busy doing that Fiona and I walked into downtown Cambridge with Peter and Judy for lunch and a look a general look around. 12000 steps odd! And about 3k’s round trip, good for the weight loss program 🙂

The bike riders
Liz leading the charge

We had a few hours after that to catch up with everyone and swap notes on our vehicles.

The Team photo
And an extra team pic

Happy hour came around again along with the team photo and it was nice to be able to introduce the Richard to everyone.

Richard is keen to arrange the next event in the Wairarapa so we’re really looking forward to that.  Richard has lots of experience in organising things and people so I sure next year’s event will be one not to miss!

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged Happy Hour photos.

Happy hour Saturday
Ben with his van behind at Happy Hour
Happy Hour on Saturday

After the happy hour and photo, we all headed to the restaurant and had a great night there. Great food, great service and good company, what more could you want 🙂

In the morning, we were greeted with the arrivals of some Hot Rods and Motorbikes who briefly met in the carpark then headed off towards Frankton while we were saying goodbye to everyone before we headed for home.

The bikes on Sunday morning setting off for Frankton
some of the cars on their way to Frankton

A fantastic weekend and it went really well.

Rafe’s tracker map to Cambridge Raceway – Armada GPS
Waikato

Paeroa Scottish Games

Early in the morning in Te Aroha, Fiona woke up showing some interest in the Paeroa Scottish Games. With the event kicking off at 9 AM,  20 odd kilometers away, it was time to get moving!

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At the Racecourse Rally

We quickly serviced Rafe, topping up the water and emptying the tanks, then hit the road to Paeroa.

The racecourse Rally

Arriving at the racecourse rally site, we checked in before taking the car over to the Paeroa Domain, where the games were already in full swing.

The Opening

We started by checking out the Clan stalls, where Fiona, being a proud McLeod, picked up some ribbon for her hat. With that sorted, we grabbed a cuppa and sat back, taking in the atmosphere.

The opening ceremony was next, and we made our way to the grandstand to watch the Clans march in behind a lone bagpiper, a truly stirring sight.

In the Clans area.
Lady K from Hamilton showing her Steampunk costume.

From there, I wandered over to the wood chopping competition, always an incredible display of strength and skill.

Then it was on to the rotunda, where the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band was warming up for the competition. There were several other bands as well, each one filling the air with that unmistakable Scottish sound.

During their Practise under the trees.
During the competition.

With a long break in the program and Fiona needing to head back that afternoon, I decided to wrap things up too. I was running low on clean clothes, food, and general supplies, so it seemed like the right time.

Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow

Lady K from Hamilton showing her Steampunk costume.
During the comptition with the judge.

Unfortunately, that meant missing the evening Tattoo, which was a bit of a shame, but we’ll be back next year, better prepared and ready for the full experience!

A fantastic event well organized and a great day out.

Rafe’s tracker map to Paeroa – Armada GPS
Waikato

Under the Mountain

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With Fiona finishing up work, she was ready for a bit of adventure. She made the drive down from Auckland, and we planned to meet at the Te Aroha NZMCA park, our base for the visit.

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Te Aroha Mountain behind

Te Aroha is a lovely little town with plenty to explore. After a well-earned cup of tea to shake off the drive, Fiona was keen for a trip to Matamata, one of our usual café spots, just an easy 20-odd kilometers away. A relaxed lunch, a good cuppa, and a wander through town made for a great start to our time together.

Te Aroha Museum

Back in Te Aroha, I was keen to check out the local museum, given my work with historic images. The Te Aroha Museum, housed in the town’s old bathhouse, is a fascinating place. The former spa rooms now hold a well-curated collection, and the museum’s video gives a great insight into the area’s history. It’s an easy stroll from the NZMCA park and definitely worth a visit.

Click on the Gallery below to Enlarge

The NZMCA park
Te Aroha Mountain behind
The main road bridge into Te Aroha
The Museum

There’s something special about walking into town across the old railway line, a reminder of Te Aroha’s past.

And with the NZMCA park now offering a double-sided dump station and fresh water, life on the road here is about as convenient as it gets!

Rafe’s tracker map to Te Aroha NZMCA – Armada GPS
Close to home, Waikato

Bliss on the Beach

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When we first got our motorhome, Ray’s Rest quickly became one of our favorite freedom camping spots.

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Later in the day

It’s one of the few places in New Zealand where you can park right on the sand, looking out across the water with the Coromandel Peninsula offering some shelter.

Looking south down the beach

A few years ago, this spot like many others saw an influx of largely overseas tourists misusing freedom camping areas. It wasn’t uncommon to wake up with a budget rental van parked just inches from your doorway. Thankfully, updated self-containment and freedom camping laws have put an end to that, making places like Ray’s Rest much more enjoyable again.

A drone being setup for fishing off the beach

Two weeks earlier, I’d been knocked out by Covid, so Fiona suggested I take the motorhome out for some fresh air while she worked, and she’d join me later. Brilliant idea! With the sun shining, I stocked up at Countdown Supermarket and hit the road.

Looking North along the beach

When I arrived, there were plenty of parking spots, though they quickly filled as the day went on. It was great to catch up with several familiar faces, New Zealand really is a small place!

Nice easy pace

I spent the afternoon walking along the beach, soaking in the sunshine, and appreciating just how lucky we are to have places like this to stay. The weather was stunning, and an onshore breeze kept things comfortable—absolute perfection.

Rays Rest is famous for being a bird migration landing zone.

After two blissful days of sea air and sunshine, I packed up, already planning my next visit.

Rafe next to the sand.

Ray’s Rest is still magic, and I’ll definitely be back for more 🙂

Rafe’s tracker map to Rays Rest – Armada GPS
Close to home

Matakana in the Sun

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After leaving Dargaville, I made my way back towards Matakana, where Fiona was driving up from Devonport to meet me at a new POP (Park Over Property) called Willow Park. The drive into Matakana was a test of patience—traffic from the Warkworth motorway turnoff to Matakana took over an hour. Apparently, that’s par for the course. Thankfully, the destination was well worth the effort.

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Fiona had already arrived by the time I got to Willow Park. After parking up, we sat down with a cuppa and started planning our next moves.

Willows Park

First on our list was the famous Sculptureum just around the corner. The Matakana markets were also in full swing, so of course, we decided to check those out too.

Looking back at Willows Park

Willow Park, located on Totaranui Road, is run by NZMCA member Gary Pallett. It’s situated on a gentle slope, but the 10 or so graveled sites are impressively level. The farm setting offers fantastic views, which you’ll see from the photos. There are showers available, though we stuck to using our own facilities.

Although the Sculptureum is within walking distance, we opted to drive down the hill. The place is massive, complete with a vineyard. The experience is split into four main sections, and they recommend allowing at least two hours to fully explore. There’s also a restaurant for lunch and plenty of parking.

We started in the indoor gallery, which was packed with fascinating and unusual art pieces. From there, we ventured into the Palm Garden, famous for its whimsical giant snails. The landscaping is immaculate, perfectly complementing the sculptures on display. (Check out the photos!)

Click on the Gallery below to see Enlarged Images

Fiona admiring a Pergoda
Amazing sculpture with Fiona.
The Snails

After a couple of hours in the sun, we retreated to the verandah for a much-needed coffee.

Across the road, the Matakana Country Park was buzzing with market activity. We moved the car to their carpark and wandered through the stalls for about an hour. Even near closing time, the place was still packed with people!

At the Markets

Before heading back to Willow Park, we stopped into Matakana itself to grab some supplies and have a quick look around. Unsurprisingly, it was still incredibly busy, so we didn’t linger too long.

It was a fantastic day out, with the Sculptureum being the highlight. The art and sculptures are absolutely stunning, and the entire experience is amazing. A great couple of nights away and not too far from home 🙂

Rafe’s tracker map to Matakana – Armada GPS