This has to be the biggest Motorhome and Caravan rally ever held in NZ. Apparently nearly 1700 vehicles parked over the course of the 4 days.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Huge
As I came down the hill, all you could see in all directions was lots of white roofs of Motorhomes and Caravans along with a few other colours but mostly white of course!
The early morning walk past Rafe
The volunteer parkers did a fantastic job. I arrived at the bottom of the hill and then realised I didn’t have any cash but with a rustle through Rafe, I eventually found some Washing machine money and had just enough!
Friends, Bruce and Judy’s Globe4 in the crowd.
Early the next morning I went for a walk around the edges and it was just amazing to see so many here. Despite the early hour, there were plenty of people out walking their dogs and enjoying the sunshine.
People leaving early
Breakfast Time
From the top of the hill in the fog
On the road
A great job done by the organisers and fantastic job by the volunteers. Thanks Guys.
Just past Tuakau is a lovely new Campground on the banks of the river.
Click on any Image for Hi Res
Glorious spot
It is run by the good folk at the Tuakau Hotel on land that used to be where the sand was loaded up and shipped off and its in a beautiful spot.
All weather parking
The campground has been constructed from scratch with about 8 dead flat gravelled sites with power and a barbeque table overlooking the river. It couldn’t be in a better spot and well thought out.
Perfect seating
We popped in to the Tuakau Hotel which is just a few k’s away and spoke to Tash at the Hotels Accomodation office where we were given the full rundown on what was where and in case we forgot, there was also a sheet of everything we needed to know along with a key for the water and the codes for the automated gate and shower block. The cost is $20 per site for two with power which I reckon is extremely good value.
Click on the Gallery below for a slideshow
Well set out and tidy
Nice parking
In the morning
For the nippers
Perfect seating
Perfection
The view
After settling down and opening some vents, I went for a bit of a look around.
Looking down the river
There are three quite large self contained cabins too which can be rented which look out over the river too.
Looking across from the cabins
In the morning I went for a walk along the rivers edge to see the whitebaiters in full swing where I met Anthony who drives down here from Mt Wellington to do his whitebaiting. He was doing well and showed me piccies of his catch from the day before.
Whitebaiter Anthony from Mt Wellington
A lovely spot not far from the Tuakau Bridge on the way to Port Waikato.
The Netspeed Speedtest (Not great here)
Download : 2.68 mbps
Upload : 0.85 mbps
Ping : 48 ms
A couple of years ago, I popped into the Pukekohe A & P to see how their Motorhome Parking was going as they had just started it and it looked great. Since then they have had some big groups of Motorhome parties through and most nights, there is somebody there.
Click on any Image for Hi Res
Looking back to the Motorhome Parking area across the Kart track
At only $20 a night including power with access to their brand new ablutions block with showers and toilets, it is ceratinly great value. The only downside over the last year or so has been the wet weather.
Rafe on the hard with the new ablutions block.
Fiona and I stopped in to stay a night and have a look around. After talking to Gina, who runs the office, she introduced me to Ian, the volunteer Camp organiser who was telling me that the wet weather issue is about to be solved with the addition of rolled out gravel to all of the sites in stages.
Volunteer Parking Organiser/Creator Ian, at the parking area
I could tell while talking to Ian that he was really excited by the way the Motorhome Parking has developed and where it was going. He has done a wonderful job and I’m looking forward to seeing it when we come back in a few months.
A break in the rain
As the rain was almost horizontal and the wind with it, we decided to stay on the gravel by the new loos.
This must be the judges box
The site is huge with more than 50 acres odd to walk around. Dogs are welcome on leads and it is only a stones throw from the centre of Pukekohe so good for shopping too.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Rafe on the hard
The new ablution block
One of the old buildings in the A&P grounds.
Stables
The local Kart track
Looking back to the Motorhome Parking area across the Kart track
Looking down the main drag of Pukekohe
Pukekohe shops
One of the Malls just around the corner
Rafe at the park
The train station is only 500 metres away and although the trains didn’t worry us, Ian tells me that it has been a problem for some. I love the sound of those big Diesels pulling a couple of hundred metres of train!
Pukekohe station
The next morning, we dodged the showers and went for a walk through the own to check out the shops and have lunch. Just over the road and along from the camp is a huge Mall with a Warehouse and all the shops you’d ever want. Very handy.
Fiona with a Statue of Possum Bourne in the main streetOne of the Malls just around the corner
I used to have to come out to the Pukekohe races when I was a wee fella in short pants (about 5-6 ) as my Dad was involved with Shell Racing, and I remember Pukekohe then as a small village with big racetrack. It has definitely changed from those days.
I’m looking forward to going back soon to check out the new all weather parking setup. Well done Ian and team for a great setup.
Rafe’s Tracker map to Pukekohe. You can see we missed the turnoff 🙂
The week ended with Fiona getting a cold and wanting to blob and get better so we thought we’d escape the big city and head to Pauanui.
Fiona spent the first day in bed while I went out in between cups of tea for a bike ride around the peninsula.
Click on an Image to see Hi Res
The park
There is only ever one place for us to park at Pauanui and that’s the Pauanui Club. I’ve done a few posts about their Motorhome Parking and it is just the best value and easy parking around for miles.
Parking at Pauanui
They’re also really good and easy to deal with. Always a smile and nothing is ever to hard. They’ve now also got their Laundromat up and running and now have a full Dump station. At $10 a night per van including power, water and access to the bar, it is exceptional value.
The Club entrance
Its amazing how many walkways and how easy the biking is. Someone really thought about this when the early Pauanui subdivisions were first planned.
Having your plane tied to your doorknob!
I headed down towards the waterways and met our Motorhome neighbours out on their bikes. They were from Motueka and are checking out the North Island with their friends from Okarito (North of Franz Josef).
The next day, Fiona was feeling much better and we went for a wander into the township which is only 5 minutes walk away through a tunnel under the adjacent airfield.
Perfect
Later that day we went to the Club and watched the Bingo which was fun and then the Rugby on the big TV. One thing I really noticed here was how friendly everyone was.
Our morning sleep in was nicely disturbed by that great sound of some big motors as the Pauanui Classic Car people met in the club car park before heading off in convoy to the Matatoki Cheese Factory for lunch.
Click on the Gallery below to see the Cars
Having your plane tied to your doorknob!
On the way home
The crowds around the cars
Nice tails
Corvette Interior
Rafe at the park
Some of these cars were really rare. John the organiser has a Covette Cove Convertible. A friend of mine who is a real Corvette buff has always wanted one of these but good ones are normally worth Telephone numbers!
John heading off in his Corvette
There were some really nice vehicles and the locals all came out in the sunshine to see and admire the cars and see them off for their lunch.
Mini Golf next door
A great atmosphere, great people and a nice spot to park.
It also has quite a large Motel and Wedding reception area as part of it and since we were here last, they’ve added some some nice wee chalets which they call the Boathouses.
The Boathouses
The trees have grown, the loo and shower complex which they were installing last time are up and running and it is all looking really good.
Great view out across Omaha Bay
Being part of the NZMCA Camp saver program for off season parking is a bonus too.
Plenty of room
As we arrived, Ian and Heather were out wielding their tools adding baseboards to their accomodation at one end of the complex and although they were ovbiously busy, they couldn’t have more accomodating helping us to get setup.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The Lounge
Kitchen
Inside one of the Boathouses
Great view out across Omaha Bay
The Wedding Reception parking
Nice Wedding area
The Boathouses
The new Loo, Laundry and Shower block
The Motels
The Motels
It’s nice to hear that they’ve been so busy as it really is a top place and very handy to a good Cafe and the pub is just around the corner.
The Reception area
The view out to Tawharanui Peninsular is spectacular.
View out to Tawaharanui
We really enjoyed coming back here and will be back more often. A lovely spot.
While we were at Fairlie, I met our neighbours Peter and Val who were heading to Amberley to see their daughter. She just happened to live near the Campground at Amberley Beach. This was to be our next destination too.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Rafe in the Park
After leaving Fairlie, we checked with old friends Ray and Margaret who have settled now in Geraldine. We met them at Peskis and they later showed us around Lake McGregor when we were with them at Tekapo. We had lots of fun together and it was neat to catch up with them again and see their house.
From here it was a quick stop at Christchurch to get some chemicals for the loo and then off to Amberley Beach.
The Non Dog area
We arrived there about 4pm and the shadows were already starting to get long. The camp is split into two bits. On the right is an area for Dogs and on the left is an area without Dogs. We went to the left and signed up and put our money in the “wooden maiden”. The cost is $5pp plus $5 for power.. very good value with some new loos nearby and the beach just through the sandhills.
Crossing to the pines
We went for a walk down to the beach just for a look and it looks fantastic with Pines on the foreshore in the sandhills.
Fabulous beach
It reminded me of when I was growing up in Christchurch, we used to have family holidays somewhere up this coast and I remember the pine trees that you had to run through to get to the beach and there were lots of old Cribs.. ahh the good old days !
Late Colours
It looked a bit bleak this time but this was only because it was getting late.
In the morning we left there and headed through to Kaikoura. Coming down from Wellington poured with rain all the way so we didnt get to see much but this time it was brilliant sunshine.
Its amazing what has been done here by the roading and railway people fixing things up after the earthquake. We saw some of the brave abseiling workers fixing back wire barriers to stop rocks falling. Amazing
The Pier Hotel
Arriving at Kaikoura for lunch, our first stop was to the Pier Hotel where we’ve eaten before. Looking across from there its amazing to see all the rocks that have been pushed up by the earthquake.
Looking across Kaikoura with all the new Rocks
One of the things still noticeable is the state of the roads around the area but Kaikoura is looking great and its great to see the good folk of Kaikoura bouncing back after such massive damage.
The Netspeed Speedtest Amberley
Download : 42.05 mbps
Upload : 12.16 mbps
Ping : 50 ms
Moving from the Queenstown Holiday Park after my job was complete, we were looking forward to catching up with Rob and see Helen who had arrived in Lowburn from Auckland the day before.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Motorhomes and caravans down at one of my favourite parking spots
We were at Rob and Helen’s place for the weekend and Sunday was planned for a quick bike ride down to the lake by Lowburn Inlet.
Rob had some chores he wanted to deal with and was going to walk down later so we all set off.
The bikes ready to go
Fantastic sunshiney day and warm as toast as long as you kept out of the shadows!
Fiona and Helen heading to Lowburn
We ended up down by the inlet where we’ve stayed in Rafe right by the lake. Its interesting to see that the absolute lakeside has been fenced off but it is still a wonderful place to stay. I believe the loos have had a bit of a makeover too.
Lowburn lake
We didn’t stay long and we biked back up the Lowburn Valley to check out some of the newly built houses. The real estate scene down here is cruising along nicely and I’m not surprised looking at some of the fantastic homes being built here.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
By the Lowburn lake
Lowburn valley
A shot from up on the hill looking over the valley. Lake Dunstan on the right
Looking across the trees and stream at the back of Rob and Helen’s place
Fiona and Helen getting back
When we arrived back at the house in time for friends Ross and Karen afternoon drinks, Rob was just arriving back from a walk. He didn’t say where he’d been but Rob doesn’t do small walks 🙂
Fiona getting back to Rob and Helen’s
After parting ways with Rob at Alexandra, we set off towards Queenstown and then Glenorchy. Good old GPS took us right through the main shopping area of Queenstown. We were heading for the pedestrian mall at one stage 🙂
Click on an Image to see Hi Res
On the way to Glenorchy
Once out of Queenstown, it was a fun drive. We stopped along the way at a lookout over Lake Whakatipu for lunch and then carried on. The road was up and down all the way to Glenorchy but amazing scenery.
The Glenorchy HotelThe Motorhome parking at the Hotel
We checked in at the Glenorchy Hotel where they have CSC Motorhome parking for $12 with power which is great.
Amazing little town. The main street
After settling down Rafe, we set off to have a quick look around and of course ended up in the Pub in front of the fire.
Tourists on the wharf
In the morning, we used the Laundry here to get through the washing before the forecast rain came.
Looking up from the main street at Mt Larkins
Later, the weather was closing in and we had an amazing thunderstorm which went on for about three hours. Its amazing hearing the boom echo off the mountains and the ferocity of the lightning was something else too.
Looking westward towards the weather!
It was fun tucked up listening and watching 🙂
Looking across to Mount Bonpland
After breakfast, we set off for a walk down through the town as the wind got up, the sun came out and the mountains around us looked amazing.
The Famous Red ShedLooking back at Mt Larkins from the wharf
Fiona went for a walk around the Glenorchy lagoon which she said was nice.
Its a nice wee town and interesting to see a few big back up generators around. They must have a few weather related power issues from time to time.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 65.17 mbps
Upload : 13.49 mbps
Ping : 89 ms
And it is in Peski’s at Geraldine which is also one of THE best parking spots.
Click on any Image for Hi Res
The Top level
We’ve stayed here several times and it just like a comfy old chair! Sue and David .. and Tui keep the place looking immaculate and the happy hours are legendary 😃
We popped in pretty much unannounced and they were chocker but Sue managed to squeeze us in next to their Garage.
The shadow is creeping over
The Happy Hour tree has had a big haircut and with the sun dropping earlier, it was a case of where the sun was for our late afternoon catchup.
We met a whole lot of people from Christchurch who were here together and they were good fun.
The Old Happy Hour Tree with a HUGE haircut
We rode into Geraldine on the new Electric bikes which was good fun. Its about 7 k’s out of Geraldine but thats about 10 minutes at 30k’s on an Electric Bike 🙂 I like Geraldine and I’ve said to various members of our family that I might just go and buy a house here 🙂 .. all attempts end up with “the look”!..
I checked out the track behind down to the river. The garden seat has washed away a few times in various weather events but David has managed to reset it again.
Peskis is $15 a night with power. There is a washing machine, a shower and a cassette only dump station which are available each for $2.
Chocker Block
A fantastic spot and they’re just the best hosts. A must stay spot when you’re next in the area.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 44.06 mbps
Upload : 5.59 mbps
Ping : 51 ms
The NZMCA has just started a new program called Campersave which allows us Motorhomers to take advantage of the off season when Motorcamps are not busy and also has the benefit for Motorcamps to get some off season cashflow.
Click on any Image for Hi Res
Neat spot
Its a win win for all!
A customer at the door.. old fashioned camping !
So I was keen to support one and the one closest to us was part of the Springfield Domain. It is called the Kowhai Pass Campground as this was the original name for Springfield.
Camp Caretaker Joy in her office
We rocked in and met one of the delightful caretakers, Joy who showed us where to park and where things were. The cost is $20 per van with power. There are toilets and showers as well. The showers cost a $1 which is pretty cheap. I’m sure I spotted a laundry too.
Looking along the main street of Springfield
A great spot for the night and great value with some nice people.
Fiona with the Donut
The next morning we went further west and had a look through Springfield town where there is a tribute to Rewi Alley and of course the famous Donut. A neat spot.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Dowload : 39.25 mbps
Upload : 6.94 mbps
Ping : 154 ms
