This amazing walkway starts at The New Plymouth port and runs right around to Bell Block.
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Port TaranakiEast End Beach
The last time we were in New Plymouth with bikes, we stayed at the NZMCA Bell Block Park. From there, there is a track that runs just down from the main road to the coast and on into New Plymouth port. It’s a fantastic track being all concrete and easy.
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New Plymouth
Crossing the creek
East End Beach
Port Taranaki
Covered in plastic
Enjoying the sun at Fitzroy
New Plymouth Port
I joined it this time from the city and walked out to East End beach and along the track to Te Rewa Rewa bridge. Unfortunately, it is covered in plastic being blasted and painted. It is still a great walk out there and I was surprised by the amount of foot and bike traffic.
Back by the Holiday parkBusy on the track
It’s a great facility and its fantastic to see it getting so much use.
One of the things I’ve wanted to visit but either ran out of time or was too far away, is the amazing Pukekura Park.
Click on any Image to EnlargeIt was started in the late 1800’s and started as 54 Acres. It is now 128 acres, significantly bigger and is just beautiful. They also have an amazing nighttime display with Lighting which I’ve yet to see. One day soon.
The old band RotundaThrough the Ferns
I got a cab up from Fitzroy Motor camp and went for a walk through. There’s a neat Waterfall just as you get in by the lake, a Kiosk which sells everything next to the lake and an old Band Rotunda.
The Waterfall
I walked down around the lake to cross the old wooden bridge and back the other side. With Ferns everywhere you look, it’s a fantastic place to see. It is just stunning!
The FountainThe small electric Bus
There is a small electric bus which does the rounds for $5 if you don’t feel like walking.
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The entrance
The small electric Bus
The Fountain
The Waterfall
Looking back from the bridge
The Red Bridge
The lake with the old wooden bridge
As I walked out, I discovered another lake with a fountain in the middle of it next to another playground and skatepark. New Plymouth has it all!
The Kiosk
What impressed me most was the planting and the scale of it. Well worth the visit.
It was great to back in New Plymouth. It was a catching up with friends’ trip, and to attend a Photo auction for Hospice Taranaki which was being held in town so I was keen to not be too far away from the action.
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Fitzroy Beach was the perfect place to stay being right next to the beach and an easy 20 minute walk into town along the waterfront.
Good flat parkingKitchens and Showers
With a bit of wind around, it is protected by hedges everywhere you look. With nice big flat sites, two dump stations, nice clean Toilets and amazing showers, it was just perfect.
New Plymouth PortWalking the dog.
There is a big jumping pillow and a great playground too for the kids.
The City to Bell Block walkway winds its way along the waterfront right across the front of the campground so there is plenty to see and do. There is a great Kiosk not far away on the sand dune that does coffees, Ice creams and everything else.
People riding on the walkway by the camp
On our last trip here quite a few years ago with bikes, we explored the walkway from Bell block all the way into town. See that here.
View from the top dump station 🙂
Great Hosts and nice campground handy to town.
Rafe’s Tracker map to Fitzroy Holiday Park – Armada GPS
It is in Bell Block and just 10 minutes from downtown New Plymouth so its handy too.
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Handy to the Happy Hour Pavilion
Just as the first Covid lockdown came on last year, Kevin and Lynda’s Tamarillo crop and others like it, were devastated by a bug that badly damaged their crop. A real tragedy. They had several neighbours who also got struck by the same bad luck.
Not to be outdone and being clever Motor homers themselves, they turned their small farm into a lovely big Motorhome and Caravan Park over property and it is a huge success!
Kevin and LyndaGetting Busy
Keeping the big shelter belts that surrounded their Tamarillos, they’ve added a nice new Happy Hour facility with an outside deck.
Holes in the Shelter Belt
While I was there, there were a few windy days but being surrounded by the shelter belts, you wouldn’t have known!!
I was originally only going to stay a night but there is such a great atmosphere and a sense of community that I ended up being there for 5 days! There are 8 powered sites and some hard stand parking, but it is so sheltered.
Happy Chat
Kevin and Lynda are both very good musicians and several of the people who stay there regularly are too.
Suzy TKevin and LyndaClose to the Music
On the day I arrived, they had a small concert for an hour or two with their semi-trailer in the next paddock, fantastic. Kevin has setup it up with a neat sound system and what looks like a bit of a “Green room” at the end of the stage. Suzy T as she’s known, was on the keyboards and vocals. She’s a great singer and was staying in her Caravan just across from me.
Between where I was parked next to the Happy Hour Pavilion and the Stage, there was a huge row of shelterbelt trees but in one corner, there was a neatly cut out doorway through the trees… very clever.
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Kevin, Lynda and Suzy T
Kevin and Lynda
Suzy T
Cloe to the Music
Holes in the Shelter Belt
On Guard
My neighbours sorting out an electrical issue
Kevin also helped me sort out a small problem I had with a missing screw in my under-engine cover which was hanging down. All done in a few minutes!
On Guard
A fantastic group of people encouraged by great hosts. Thanks again for having me.
Rafe’s Tracker map to Ninia Park over – Armada GPS
A true labour of love .. Dave and Maria bought the Post office building some years ago and have restored what was originally the Eltham Post Office with the Telegraph area upstairs, is now a luxury B&B.
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Dave is a retired Photojournalist and worked with me at the Herald in the late 1970’s. David has also provided some images to the Hospice Taranaki Auction happening on the 24th September.
Dave outside the B&B
I was in New Plymouth staying at Ninia Park over so it was an easy trip in Rafe to pop in to see Dave after 40 something years since we’ve seen each other. Unfortunately, Dave’s wife Maria was away in Sydney catching up with friends and family so I get to meet her.
Historical Neighbourhood
I found Dave water blasting some Mould of one of the sheltered walls at the back and we adjourned into the kitchen for a good catchup over a cup of tea.
The main Helena Suite
Later I got a tour of the building which is amazing. They’ve certainly been busy!
Lots of old period things add to the charm
The upstairs has been converted into their private flat but in a thorough Way 🙂 .. as you would expect from these two!
Dave outside the Post Office.
If you want to sample this beauty and have a night away from your Motorhome or Caravan in one of Taranaki’s small towns, check out their website here.
Rafe parked outside with the Post office behindLovely old Building
It was lovely to see Dave again after all these years. As I said to him, he still looks the same 🙂
With one week to go until the Hospice Taranaki News Photo Auction, I set off to New Plymouth a bit early to have a nosey around the mountain. Mt Egmont.
Click on any Image to enlarge.As I got closer to Mokau, on the coast I thought I’d stop at the Seaview Holiday Park right on the beach which had views down to Mt Egmont.
Bright Colours!
It’s a typical west coast beach complete with Black Sand and the wild water. The ruggedness is what makes it though.
The Beach looking towards New Plymouth
I checked in and was given a park right behind the sandhill facing the beach but still protected from any wind that might come up. Great parking!
One of the many baches along the coast
It’s one of those real old original Kiwi family parks with nice bright colours on slightly older cabins.
One of the Ablution blocks
The ablution blocks are covered in murals… nicely done.
Looking through the campgroundRafe with the beach behindMt Egmont on the right
I went for a wander around the park and then along the beach. Lovely spot!
One of the amazing little hidden treasures in Miranda is this amazing Cafe and Gallery.
Annie with some of the Art
It is run and owned by Annie Wilson and her family. Annie has been here about 7 years with the Cafe with the Gallery coming together over that time. There is also a fantastic easy parking for Motorhomes right in front.
Bikes outside
The easy way of getting here is like we did, from Miranda Holiday park on our bikes.
It is an easy 30 minute ride but there is a small hill so an ebike makes life a bit easier.
The TeamOn the trail to Kaiaua
We left early on a Saturday morning from Miranda Holiday Park while we were at a Dethleffs get together and rode an easy trail along the foreshore until we got back to a bridge. Going right, you’re heading to Rays Rest and Kaiaua or if you go left and head to the corner and up the hill, you’ll come across the cafe.
Fiona with the some of the selection.. Photo by Mary
We had a nice morning tea and something to eat and then walked next door to check out the Gallery.
A sculpture outside the GalleryMary and Fiona in the GalleryA pitchfork sculpture
The art is amazing and is from many well known artists as well as some locals.
That stained glass window
The outside Toilet was designed by Annie and a friend and is something else with its beautiful stained glass window and also has a wooden toilet seat!
Fiona and Mary ready for the road
After a couple of hours here, we biked back to Miranda and were back in the Hot Pools.. a great morning.
And it was a goodie too.. Many arrived early on Friday afternoon and were well settled by the time Fiona and I arrived about 12:30!
The day before we found out about the Kaiaua Pub courtesy van. I knew we had about 12 interested so it was all last minute but after two trips of the van, they all managed to get to the table and it all went well.
It was still raining off and on so I was in the pool soon after arriving, my favourite part of Miranda 🙂
Electrical help
As the day went on, it was a great meet and greet. For many of the 46 Motorhomes that arrived, this was their first get together and for me, the biggest turnout of vans ever.
It was funny though as the numbers from the bookings were 46, if you walked around and looked, it didn’t seem too crowded.
As the day wore on. More and more people were making themselves known and introducing themselves to everyone and looking around the Motorhomes.
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Friday Happy hour
Friday Happy hour
Friday Happy Hour
John at Friday Happy hour
Noelina at Friday Happy hour
4pm came around and the BBQ area suddenly filled up with laughter and Wine bottles..
Day two was Bike ride day towards Kaiaua. Tony Coupe who put his hand up early encouraging riders to bring their bikes and had a plan to ride to a neat little Café and Gallery called Stray Dog Café. It was just up the hill off to the left on the way to Kaiaua. Fantastic place with an amazing Gallery Thanks Tony.. more on this in another post coming soon.
On the trail to Kaiaua
We arrived back at Miranda a couple of hours later. A great ride and it was time for a coffee and another swim in the pool.
Neil during his talk. Pic by Mary Coupe
At 3pm, we had Neil showing quite a few interested people the basics on Amp hours and how to calculate your battery needs. Very useful and many went away very happy. Great work.. thanks Neil.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow – Saturday
On the trail to Kaiaua
At the bridge where we split directions.
Neil during his talk. Pic by Mary Coupe
Getting ready for the bike ride
Bike preparation
Lets go biking!
Esprit corner
Saturday drinks
Neil and Michelle
John and Tony
Peter and Sue who we bumped into in Invercargill earlier this year.
At 4pm was time for a Team Photo but to make sure everyone was there, we started happy hour and then did the images. Photographer Grant who has the same camera as me, was keen to get me in the photo so we did a quick swap for a fun pic. Thanks Grant.
I was talking to one of the camp senior staff, Gay the next day and she was telling me they were watching us in the CCTV while we were getting organised and starting happy hour then suddenly we all vanished in a nano second.. “where did they go”! That must have been photo time 🙂
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John Ogilvie had very kindly brought his amazing projector along for the rugby and with Michelle’s screen, were were all ready for the big game starting later.
Everyone inTea time.The leftovers of the shared meal.. I was too busy eating to get a before shot 🙂
At 6, the food started appearing on the Barbecue area and we all got stuck in. The food was unbelievable. Normally at a shared meal you end up with a lot of snacky stuff but this was top drawer dishes. Well done everyone. Stunning Stuff.
The tidying up and dishes were done in the well equipped kitchen and we were set for the Rugby.
A great atmosphere and we had a few other campers join us on the fringes to watch as well. I found out after talking to Gay in the office that they had quite a few people who wanted to watch in the TV room but there is no drinking or food in there so they were suggesting joining us so that was good. There even some people on the other side of the screen in the BBQ area watching it backwards from the opposite side of the screen 🙂
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Magic Drone pics from Paul
Looking west
Looking west
Looking East
By Paul McLuckie
Well done and thanks John (the projectionist) and thanks again Michelle for the use of your screen. Although the result wasn’t what we wanted, it was still a fun night.
All in all, a great weekend finished off with a farewell coffee/tea catchup before everyone went off in different directions.
Talking to Gay (Miranda Holiday Park) afterwards, she said it went well for them, no one got up their noses (not from our group anyway) and for them it was easy.
Thanks too to Paul McLuckie who put his drone up to get the amazing drone images.
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Thanks everyone for coming, we had a lot of fun and it was nice to see everyone again. Some we haven’t seen for years.
After enjoying a great All Blacks win in the Raglan Holiday Park, we headed into town over the walk bridge to check out the shops. First stop was a Café for a coffee and then we walked about 1k across to the wharf and Silo area.
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Raglan personifiedThe Historic RaglanNeat shops
We last visited this area years ago with friends Dianne and Gary from Taupo so check that post out for more photos of this area.
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The Beach by the camp
The Bridge to town
Raglan Jetty
Lunchtime
Neat Shops
The Historic Raglan
The main street
The view out of the main street
The Raglan Wharf
Raglan personified
Sundown
Since then, one of the Silos has been converted into what looks to be some very nice rentable Apartments.
The Silos
Its a busy area with a fantastic Fish and Chip shop on the outer end of the wharf along with some pottery and Leather shops. Fiona bought herself a new Leather Hand Bag where we enjoyed a really nice chat with the shopkeeper. I complimented her on her lovely London accent before she told me she was from Perth ! Oops .. but she did have a nice English Accent so no harm done 🙂
The Raglan WharfCafe opposite Raglan Wharf
After a coffee in a new (to us) Café opposite the wharf, we headed back to the town and Rafe.
Sundown
An amazing little town and not far from Auckland with the current Diesel prices as they are.
The weather was good, there was a beach only a few yards away and the town was only 10 minutes walk.
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Rafe at Raglan
We were looking to get out of the traffic but not too far away.. Raglan won the day. It has been a while since we were last here but it has an atmosphere all of its own. Very like Waiheke Island with some of the similar arty but down to earth shops.
Kids enjoying BadmintonOur neighbours from Hamilton and Tauranga enjoying the sun.
When my son Drew found out we were heading to Raglan, he said we had to go to Orca so I booked in online and its a magic spot. We went for lunch and the food was fantastic and it was very reasonable with a great view too.
The view out of the main streetThe Historic Raglan Pub
After lunch we headed back to Rafe at the Raglan Holiday Park and then later onto the beach.
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Sundown
The Hamilton family on the beach
The view out of the main street
In the centre of town
The Historic Raglan Pub
There was a family from Hamilton with their youngest doing hand stands and flips on the sand while they enjoyed a glass of wine and watched the sun go down. Just magic.
Amazing Sunset
We were looking forward to the next day, Watching the rugby and then checking out the town.
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.
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
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