On the way to the National Equestrian centre where we were to stay for the night, there is a bridge and dam that is crossed which crosses the Aratiatia Control Gates.
Click on an image for Hi Res
Waiting for the start with the gates behind
Every now and then, they open the gates to let the water head down the Waikato river. It is spectacular and there are always good crowds there to see it happen.
Before
The rush of water is amazing and the area below the bridge transforms from empty to full with millions of litres of water in minutes.
Nearly full
There is good parking there for Motorhomes and Caravans and while we were there, there was a visit from the Huka Falls Jetboat.
The Huka Falls jet above the gates
We quietly queued up and waited for the sirens and then the rush of water.
Click on the Gallery below for a slideshow of the stages
lots of parking
People on the bridge waiting on the bridge
Empty
Nearly full
An amazing spectacle and you can check with the Taupo visitors centre for opening times.
After the action, we moved on up to the Equestrian Centre for the night.. another favorite place.
Toilets, Showers and rubbish right opposite
The prices have changed and are now $5 per person plus $5 for power. This includes access to a toilet and shower. A good place to stop for a night.
Grandsons, Ayden and Liam were both really looking forward to seeing some boiling mud for the first time and if we could, the famous Pohutu Geyser.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Fiona, Ayden and Liam on the way to the Geysers
We left early and walked about 100 metres to Te Puia all well connected by tunnels under the roadway. The family pass which was normally $150 odd seemed appropriate and because there was a NZ special discount, we were able to show our drivers licenses and get nearly $50 off ! A big saving.
The base of the Geysers
There just enough time to get the boys an ice cream and us a coffee before the next tour was due to head off with Guide Kiri.
Kiri with the Tour group
She was fantastic and as the Geysers were still building up a head of steam, after teaching the group of about 60 in the tour how to pronounce the full name of Whakarewarewa(and a lot more), she took us first to see the craft academy. Whakarewarewa is the abbreviated form !
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
In the gallery
Wax moulds for Bronze statues
Stone work
Baskets
Carving
One of the smaller Geysers before it disappeared into the cloud
Burial ground
People watching the Geyser
Fiona, Ayden and Liam on the way to the Geysers
The site
I didn’t realise but they have a full Academy for training craftsmen from Bone or Stone carving to Wood Carving, Jewellery and many other skills. They work on show for the tourists behind and below a walkway and you finally end up in a Gallery where the work is available to buy. The trainees have uniforms and have a full apprenticeship/graduation ceremony. It is an amazing setup. Very entrepreneurial and all done very nicely. I was impressed.
The base of the Geysers
The steam was building up so Kiri took us down to the Mud Pools then onto the Geysers. Unfortunately there was a grey sky and the steam and the clouds all merged so it was impossible to really see the water let alone photograph it. The boys enjoyed it and also got to sit on some warm concrete which was nice as it was only 10C!
Boiling Mud
We spent about 4 hours there all up and we decided it was time to head back to Rafe and go and warm up in the Hot Pool.
Pohutu Geyser is in there somewhere
As I say, I was very impressed with the way it was all setup. Paths and bridges are a long way from what I remember from the old Whaka village with them all being well engineered and maintained.
A fun day for young and old 🙂
The last 2 of our Bugger it We Are Off series books were launched last week. All four are now on Amazon as Kindles EBooks.
To celebrate this, I’ve got the Napier Art deco book available for free for the next 4 days from today (US time) – Tomorrow NZ Time
From 1st August (US time), this book will be available for free for 5 days. …..Click here
I’ve got them available in the Epub format as well for Ipads but haven’t got a Mac which you need to upload to the iTunes store.. I’ll find a way!
These publications are all based on this Blog.
I’m not expecting them to be best sellers but if someone out there finds a couple of things of interest in there, it was worth doing.
As a Photojournalist of some 25 plus years and a Commercial Photographer for another 20, these books are all about the images. We went to some amazing places giving me the opportunity to get some great images.
Bugger it we are off to the Pinnacles in a convoy is about meeting Motorhome friends in Taupo NZ (central North Island) and heading in our three Motorhomes down to the Pinnacles at the bottom of the North Island.
We travel through the Hawkes Bay wine region on the way, go to a UB40 concert, survive a raging storm and enjoy a great meal in an old style Country Lodge. Lots of fun and some great images.
Bugger it we are off to Europe in an Old Hymer is based on our two week trip to the UK to pick up an old Classic Hymer Motorhome and then following our Motorhome friends through the Chunnel and over 5 weeks explore central Europe with bikes.
There were lots of adventures and lots of laughs. A truly memorable experience.
Bugger it we are off to the South Island of NZ is about our three month trip in our own Dethleffs Globe 4 around the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.
We met lots of neat people, caught up with some friends and relatives, stayed in some amazing places and had a great time.
To see more about these books and links to buy, see our Book Page
Some time ago we promised the Grandsons Ayden and Liam that we would take them to Rotorua for a few days and see the boiling mud and swim in a hot pool.
The boys have never been to Rotorua so were looking forward to it after a false start a few months ago, when one of them got sick and we couldn’t go.
Click on an image for Hi Res
Ayden and Liam playing in the Playground.
We were also meeting our friends Rob, Helen and daughter Chloe who were on their way to the South Island.
After picking up Fiona from work in Takapuna and then collecting the boys at Ardmore, we were off to Rotovegas! We didn’t leave until late so we weren’t expecting to be in Rotorua much before about 7pm.
As it was cold and there was some pretty rough weather due to arrive, we decided on staying at the Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park which looked pretty good with the hot pools.
When its cold outside and there is an Internet signal!
It is a well setup place and comes with several thermal pools and a playground for the kids. It was also perfectly located for us as we were just around the corner from Te Puia and Whakarewarewa.
The Tracker and Rafe by the flash amenities building.
Helen had made a nice tea for us and after settling down Rafe, we moved into an amazingly well setup new kitchen and dining Room. It was all connected to our parks with a covered walkway which I thought was pretty cleverly done.
Great setup
After a great night of catching up with Rob, Helen and Chloe, we setup the drop down bed for the boys and all turned in for the night.
In the morning, Rob and Helen were taking Chloe up the Gondolas and headed for Ngongotaha while we went outside with the boys and took them to Te Puia which was just over the road.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Great setup
Bike rack?
One of the few Holiday parks with a Cafe
The big pool
Ayden and Liam playing in the Playground.
Some of the cabins
Grandsons Liam and Ayden at Rotorua
I had a good look around the camp in the early afternoon and it is huge. There are 164 powered sites and nearly 30 odd cabins and units and while we were there, the housemovers were setting up some more !
Something for everyone. At 10C I’m not sure this is me !
After spending the day in the thermal area, we arrived back just as it started to rain and headed for a hot swim where we caught up with Rob, Helen and Chloe.
After Happy hour and a few glasses of Chardy in the Tracker, we hit the sack for the night.
Smaller hot hot pools
A great spot to stay for the Hot Pools, for the thermal attractions and the amenities are superb.
The Netspeed Speedtest here.. not too flash!
Download: 6.46 Mbps
Upload: 1.79 Mbps
Ping: 47 ms
Rafe is nearly 4 years old and it seems everything is expiring. One of those items is the Electrical Certificate and that was due to expire next month but while I’m doing inspections, oil changes and stuff, I thought I’d get on with it.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Sunbeam
After making a time with David Allbon who was listed on the NZMCA website, I rocked up to his house in Glenfield with Rafe and David put Rafe through his electrical paces. I was impressed with how thorough it was. He tested all the 240v power points and devices and checked the RCD tripped off in the allotted times allowed. The lead was checked too. We passed with flying colours.
David with a new bike he is working on.
David then led me to do the paperwork on his desk in his garage which just happened to be the boot lid of his Triumph Stag. His Garage was amazing. There was a 1929 Sunbeam, a 1926 Douglas Motorbike, a lovely convertible MG which was covered in his Motorhome bits. He is also working on another lovely old bike which I forgot to ask what it was but a real treasure trove.
The MG
David was telling me that most of the cars he has owned for a “long time” which suggested 40 years or more in some cases.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The Stag with the Sunbeam behind
The stage with two newly imported “VERY EXPENSIVE” heads which David has just brought in.
1926 Douglas Motorbike
The 6 cylinder 2 litre Sunbeam motor
David with his 1929 Sunbeam
The MG
Looking at the Sunbeam engine bay with its 6 cylinder, 2 litre motor, you could eat your lunch off it ! Its lovely to see these old vehicles being looked after and loved to this level.
The 6 cylinder 2 litre Sunbeam motor
David and his wife Barbara also have a Nissan Motorhome which was away having some repairs done to it after it was damaged by a falling tree.
If you’re looking for an Electrical Certificate, David is your man..!
Dave and Anne were away for their first adventure in their new Jayco Eagle pop up Caravan and were my neighbours at Whangateau.
Jayco Eagle
Having a quick look through, its amazing how much room there is inside them and what you can fit in. They slept in one end and had their luggage at the other end with plenty of room for living space in between.
Dining area
I’ve always wondered how cold you would be in these in a really cold night but in the morning they both said they were as warm as toast so the inuslation in them must really work.
Galley
Apparently it tows beautifully and although it took him about an hour to put together for the first time today, it generally should only take 15-20 minutes once you’ve done it a few times and you get more familiar with it.
Master Bed area
From Kaiwaka, they were staying here in the lovely Whangateau Holiday Park for three or four days to try everything out with their friends.
Dave was telling me that they bought it from a retired School Principal three months ago, who is clever with his hands, and along with lots of other little modifications he added a stay and pulley system so that the Pop Up Top wouldn’t sway around in the wind.. a great add on.
The Stays to stop it wobbling in the wind
Having had a Motorhome before, they were happy to return to the more basic camping setup and were having fun.
Visitors Berth
Although they said it wasn’t an issue, I still wondered about the 2C overnight 🙂
One of the features of my around the Dargaville loop was coming across Kiwi North.
Run by a charitable trust, it includes the Whangarei Museum, a Kiwi house and much more, all part of a 25 hectare Heritage park.
Click on the Images for Hi Res
NZMCA’rs can also stay the night there with power for just $15 per night. This also gives you a discount to see the Kiwis and the Museum.
The Static Engine Club
I pulled in and parked in one of the two Motorhome parks out in the main carpark while checking in and met by a very helpful lady on the front desk who showed me where everything was and then gave me a brochure specially printed for NZMCA’rs who want to stay there. It also had a map showing what was there along with things to see and do.
The Kauri Railway Station
After parking Rafe in one of the 4 concrete parking pads setup for Motorhomes and plugging in and opening vents, I set off with the camera to have a look around.
Great parking for 4 on a concrete pad with power and toilets too.
One of the features of the park apart from the Kiwi House and Museum is the Grand old Clarke Homestead built in 1886. The Clarke family also had a Butchery, a Laundry, Dairy and Milking Parlour and has been occupied by three generations of the family up to 1972.
Clarke Homestead with the Jane Mander Study
Also next to the Clarke Homestead is the Jane Mander Study which was a turret that was once on top of the family home in Whangarei. Access was by a rooftop walkway. Jane’s Dad owned the Northern Advocate in the early days and Jane went on to be the Editor.
I found this really interesting as in my Newspaper days as a photographer, with the Herald and the Star, I had to work with the Advocate guys during Waitangi day protests along with other jobs. They were a great crew to be with and always very helpful.
The Jane Mander Study
The other amazing thing here was the Oruati Chapel built from a single Kauri log in 1859 and was in Doubtless Bay in the north. It is still used today for Weddings and Christenings.
The Oruati Chapel
There are many of Whangarei’s Clubs based here in their own buildings like the Steam society, the Ham Radios club and many others. Its a very interesting place to just have a look around.
Inside the Oruati Chapel. Made from one Kauri log in 1859!
The old Kauri Railway Station along with a separate reduced scale railway along with Riponui Pah school built in 1898. All really good stuff.
Looking out over the Clarke Homestead to Whangarei
Down one end of the park is a Alexander Clarkes grave. He’s the chap that originally came out from the Uk and built the Clarke Homestead.
Click on the Gallery below for a slideshow
Clarke Homestead
Inside the Clarke Homestead
The Riponui Pah school
Inside the school house
The original Whangarei womans jail from around 1900.
Blacksmiths shop
Alexander Clarkes Grave
A wonderful place to park, plenty to see and do and they really want you to visit them. I couldn’t believe how organised they are for Motorhomers, even having a brochure for NZMCA’rs on what to do and see and complete with the Wings on the cover !
Cultural Parking!
Well worth seeing and doing and great parking.. Go there, they need your support 🙂
The Netspeed Speedtest for here (old Router)
Download: 8.43 Mbps
Upload: 7.47 Mbps
Ping: 55 ms
6 years or so ago, Cantabrians Liz and Gordon upsized their Trailite to this beautiful 1999 Mitzibishi Fuso bus. 12 months or so ago, they rented their house in Christchurch out and now it is their home away from home.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Liz and Gordon with their dog
It was originally a bus for the disabled in Japan with only 4 seats at the back so hadn’t had a huge mileage. With a 12 litre rear engine and running on a 15 ton ticket, it is defintely one of the nicer buses I’ve seen.
Oodles of living space
They left Christchurch late last year and after doing the South Island, are now getting around the North.
Galley
I caught up with them at the brand new NZMCA park in Dargaville in between showers for a cuppa and it was nice meeting them.
Click on the Gallery below for slideshow
The Dogs spot
The Helm station
The Hand basin
A great couple out enjoying the country in their palace on wheels.
This was my first trip to the brand new Dargaville NZMCA park and its a cracker.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Close to the water
It is right on the rivers edge with another smaller river on a side boundary and only a few minutes walk to the centre of town.
This was one of my first times of the new check in system and paying on the NZMCA App and it was easy. What a great system.
There are two old heritage buildings on the site with a couple of old jettys on the side of the river.
Click on the Gallery below for a slideshow
The main bridge in
Looking along the Wairoa River
Looing out from the jetty to the Wairoa River
Nice old Buildings
The park
After a wander around watching the river water flow from all the rain we’d had, it reminded me of when I was a nipper just mooching around the waters edge and sitting on old wharves on a quiet day.
2 minutes walk to the Rotunda and the town
I went for a walk into town over the bridge and what a neat atmosphere. The old band rotunda and some public loos are only a few minutes away and although the brown colour of the Wairoa River isn’t exactly beautiful, there is a real sense of history and a real charm about the place.
All weather and safe
We’re very lucky to have this network of NZMCA parks and once the word gets out, this new one is sure to be popular.
The Netspeed Speedtest here (Old Router)
Download: 7.64 Mbps
Upload: 21.01 Mbps
Ping: 44 ms
Matakohe is a neat little spot with oodles of history. The Kauri Museum is a great way to soak up more than 200 years of what went on in the Northland Gum industry and in the local area. You can actually stay here with your self contained Motorhome but it is on pretty sloping ground.
Click on the Images for Hi Res
Just along the road is the Matakohe Holiday Park which has had a bit of makeover since we were last there a year or so ago. There seems to be a bit more gravel, and some new playground bits and pieces. The view on a nice day is just sensational and is a great way to wake up. When I arrived, the forecast was evil. There were gusts of 40-50 knots expected with thunderstorms and even some hail predicted so I checked in at Matakohe to hunker down.
The view
At $20 a night less the NZMCA discount, I virtually had the place to myself on a midweek, winter night.
Even space for a dog
And true to form, only the thunder didn’t arrive but it rained and rained. Although there’s a good view over the harbour, it is still very sheltered and I was pleased to be on a solid gravel ground.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The Kitchen
One of the cabins
All on my own !
The view
The dump station is easy, the fresh water is easy and although I didn’t use the shower, from our last visit, it all works and looks the business.
I was pleased to be able to get some nice images with some blue sky.
Kitchen, Laundry, Toilets and showers
Nice hosts in a great location on the Kauri Coast road through to Dargaville and beyond, and the view of the northern Kaipara is lovely.
The Netspeed Speedtest here (Old Router)
Download: 17.79 Mbps
Upload: 3.80 Mbps
Ping: 52 ms
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.
![dargaville\](https://i0.wp.com/buggeritweareoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/dargaville26050047www.jpg?w=243&h=151&ssl=1 "dargaville\")
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
You must be logged in to post a comment.