Category Archives: Events

Close to home, Events

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.

Click on any Image to Enlarge

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
Coromandel 2025, Events, Waikato

The Lure of the Trains

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Since I was a wee boy, I’ve always had a fascination with trains. That fascination only grew when it involved history—and now, motorhomes. There’s something about the old charm of locomotives and the stories they carry that pulls me in every time.

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Waihi Beach NZMCA park

After a relaxing stay at River Glen, we spent another night at a bustling Whitianga park and enjoyed a day exploring the town before heading off to the Waihi Beach NZMCA park. Unsurprisingly, it was also packed with holidaymakers making the most of the sunny weather.

Busy at Waihi Beach

One of the highlights of our stop at Waihi Beach was catching up with old family friends, Lee and Ian. We’ve known them for years, and it was wonderful to see them again. They were in great form, and it’s always a pleasure to reminisce and share stories over a cuppa. After a quiet, easy night at the park, we set off the next morning for something special, a visit to the Goldfields Railway Station in Waihi.

Getting settled at Goldfields.

The Goldfields train is a real gem. You can also stay in your Motorhome there with Power and Toilets. It runs regularly from Waihi Station to Waikino, with a stop at the charming Station Cafe. We timed our arrival perfectly, getting there around 10 a.m., just in time to catch the train for a scenic ride to Waikino.

Fiona in one of the old carriages.

This wasn’t our first time on this lovely little train. Not long ago, we brought our grandsons, Ayden and Liam, along for the ride, and they had an absolute blast. They waved at all the passing cars, thrilled every time they got a friendly toot in return. It’s the kind of simple joy that makes experiences like this so memorable.

Once we arrived at Waikino, we headed straight to the Station Cafe for lunch. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere made it even better. Sitting there, soaking in the history of the place and watching the trains come and go, it felt like stepping back in time.

Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow

The Taniwha on the side of the line.
Waikino Station
All aboard
Traffic below

After our leisurely lunch, it was time to hop back on the train for the return journey to Waihi Station. The ride back was just as enjoyable, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks.

In the Cafe

The Goldfields Railway folks have done a fantastic job over the years, not only maintaining the railway and its vintage charm but also streamlining the whole experience. From booking tickets to the overall park setup, everything was smooth and efficient. It’s great value for what you get—a slice of history, a scenic ride, and a memorable day out.

For me, this trip was a perfect blend of nostalgia and adventure. There’s something magical about trains that never seems to fade. Whether it’s the sound of the whistle, the steady chug of the engine, or the simple joy of waving at passing cars, it always brings out the kid in me. I’m already looking forward to our next railway adventure!

Rafe’s tracker map to Goldfield Railway – Armada GPS
Events, Northland

2024 Dethleffs Get Together at Waipu Cove

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What a fun weekend. Fiona and I arrived in Waipu Cove just after lunch and found our park almost next to the track over the Sandhills. Very handy but it was too cold for me swim yet 🙂

Click on any image to enlarge

That fantastic beach
Fabulous Beach by the doorstep!

Peter and Judy were right next to us with their 2014 Esprit so it was nice to have probably the oldest Motorhomes out of the 24 that had arrived parked together.

The oldies. .. Peter and Judy’s 2014 Esprit and our 2014 Globe 4.

I spent the early part of the afternoon catching up with people and checking in with people I hadn’t seen for a while.

Everybody getting settled
24 Motorhomes.

Happy hour came around and as we were the only ones at right angles to the wind that had a bit of a bite to it, we squeezed in between the old girls, The Globe4 and the Esprit 🙂

Friday night

The next morning, it was about getting ready for the 8k bike ride to McLeod’s Pizza and Brewery bar in Waipu which was mostly on a trail and was about 20 minutes ride away. We started with the customary team photo of all 29 of us and we were away.

29 heading for the Waipu Brewery 🙂 (and pizzas!)

It was a pretty easy ride and was mostly pretty flat. As we arrived early before the Brewery had opened, we headed off for a coffee across the road. Fiona saw one of the girls in the shop sneak off for some more milk 🙂 Great business for them as there were quite a few of us.

Bikes everywhere. Leaving Waipu for the campground.

Chris and Mary and Ben and Joss bought their vans in and joined in the fun.

Martin and Jill’s new Grand Alpa with Chris and Mary’s Esprit

Although there was quite a bit of wind around, it had dropped a bit, and the sun was shining so it was looking good for the Potluck dinner planned for later that day.

The official team pic 🙂

With the wind in the Southeast but a bit less of it, we decided to have the happy hour between the two oldest vans again to shield from the wind. It worked pretty well and then we shuffled off for our team photo.

Happy hour on Friday night
Saturday Happy hour

6 pm came around and it was time for us to move over the Kitchen where there were several tables available which made life easy.

Click on the Gallery below to enlarge.

Up Early 🙂
Bikes everywhere. Leaving Waipu for the campground.
The official team pic 🙂
Saturday’s Happy hour view from the top of the sandhill 🙂

The queue for the food was out of the door and the food was amazing. Everybody made a real effort. A fabulous night and it was fantastic to see everyone tucking in and having fun.

The Camping Ground is one of our favourites with its 10 metre square parks and we were all literally only steps from one of the best beaches in NZ.

A few of us stayed over for another night and after a nice lunch at the Cove Restaurant down the road a bit, we enjoyed a fun happy hour with Mary and Tony outside their new Baby Alpa.

Happy hour on Sunday at Mary and Tony’s

A lot of fun and thanks you everyone for taking part.

Rafe’s tracker map to Waipu Cove – Armada GPS
Bay of Islands, Events, Northland

The Paihia Blues and Jazz Festival

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Fiona and I came to one of the first of these about 9 years ago, not long after we first got our Motorhome. It was held at the Falls Camping ground which was then owned by Jan Molloy and partner who along with others helped get the festival under way. I remember the band that was there then was Kantuta along with some others.
Jan and her partner later sold that and set up the Bay of Islands Campervan Park which they still own.

Click on any Image to Enlarge

Bay of Island Campervan Park

This year I called Jan who and she was able to squeeze us in for a couple of nights. We’ve been here before, and it is so handy. They’ve had quite a bit of rain this year so the parks were a bit on the damp side so we had to be mindful of parking so we could get out easily.

Rafe in his spot with the Olive Trees

It is such a great location as you can walk pretty much everywhere and there was a Coach doing a regular circuit of the venues so you could see all the bands playing.

Looking bay to Waitangi

We arrived half through the Friday on a lovely fine day with the odd shower and settled in. There is a Countdown supermarket right opposite, so Fiona went over to get some last-minute provisions.

Paihia

The next day, we were up early and walked to Jazz HQ which was about a 25-minute walk at the Scenic hotel in Paihia. On the way along the waterfront, we passed a band playing on the footpath outside the shops with several people dancing and getting into the swing of the festival.

The street band

After getting our day ticket at the Hotel, we sat down to enjoy some of the music by a really good Napier Blues band called DejaBlue. Fantastic sound and we were able to get a really nice Seafood Chowder for lunch. They were followed by The Nairobi Trio who were really entertaining and again, some great sounds.

Here are some more Images from the Festival

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The Street Band on the way
Nairobi Trio
Nairobi Trio
Nairobi Trio
Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie
Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie
Walking towards Paihia
Looking out twards Russell

It was early afternoon then when we decided to head to the Paihia Club where we heard a couple of bands, one of them from Taranaki who were really good. Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie!!….

DejaBlue
Nairobi Trio

They played a Led Zeppelin song and several of their own. Fantastic sound washed down by a G&T and the acoustics there were good too.

Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie
Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie

After a couple of hours, we wandered on to the Paihia Sports bar and then caught the coach to the Twin Pines Manor at Haruru Falls, where we saw another good band, Herbie and the Heartbreakers!

Twin Pines Manor
Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie

About 6pm the bus arrived, and we decided to call it quits and head back to the Campground while the bus was there.

Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie

A great fun day out and lucky with the weather being able to walk to almost everywhere.

Rafe’s tracker map to Paihia – Armada GPS