The new NZMCA park has been open for a few months now but what a spot.
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The Park
After several weeks of dreadful weather and with Rafe just sitting on the pad, it was time to bust out while the weather was good.
The pub in the background
We set off about lunchtime and headed down the Motorway and headed out towards Miranda with hardly any traffic on the roads at all. Arriving an hour or so later with the sun streaming down, we parked up at the Kaiaua Park. It’s a beauty! With the Bayview Hotel right next door with a track through to the pub and the famous Kaiaua fisheries next to them, there is definitely no excuse for being hungry or thirsty 🙂
The Bayview Hotel next door
After a visit to the pub and finding them busy, we decided on Fish and Chips, and they were huge! I kept a piece of fish for the next day 🙂
Kaiaua Fish and Chips!
After lunch at the Hotel, which was fantastic, we headed off to Rays Rest for an hour or two.
Click on the Gallery below for a look at Rays Rest
We have not been there since it was redeveloped by a storm a few years ago but it still looks pretty good to me.
Seafood Galore!
We decided not to stay though and headed back to Kaiaua and settled for a G&T at the Hotel.
The Marina
A fantastic park with room for Africa and having the Pub and Fish and Chip shop handy is a Real bonus!
Rafe’s Tracker map to Kaiaua NZMCA Park – Armada GPS
A favourite free parking spot for many.. on the coast north of Miranda.
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Lovely spot
This was probably one of our first parking spots when we first bought our Motorhome 8 or so years ago. Its handy to Auckland, its free and its easy.
Easy parking
If you want shops, museums and pubs, you don’t go to Rays Rest. This where peace and quiet happens with the odd sound of a vehicle whizzing past at 80 odd K.
Flying Kites .. perfect spotRafe on the edge
It’s a lovely spot to sit on a deck chair on the edge of the sand outside your Motorhome and watch the clouds go by.
People enjoying the sun
Its been a while since we were here and it was redeveloped by a big storm since our last visit but it still looks much the same. Just as good as it was.
Looking across to Thames
Well recommended if you live in Auckland, are finding diesel expensive and can’t decide where to go for a night or two.
We had been lucky dodging the worst of what was the storm Hale but the tail was alive and well.
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The iconic Lord of the Rings Isite centre in Matamata -iphone image
We decided to cut the trip a bit early and head for home via “somewhere in the Waikato”. Fiona wasn’t keen on Te Aroha as there had been some earthquakes there so that narrowed things down a bit.
It was pouring with rain with some big easterly puffs of wind and generally pretty unpleasant.
Great parking
I found getting through Tauranga with its Motorway system changes is always a mission and twice before I’d missed the turnoff to get to the Kaimais before Mt Maunganui and today we did it again. This time we followed a motorhome in front to see if he knew another way through, but it ended up being a case of the blind leading the blind and 15 minutes or so later, we were back where we started. We eventually found a tollway though to the Kaimais and were away laughing.
By the time we got across the Kaimai road, we were ready to call it quits and my immediate thought were Matamata for a late lunch and then Firth Tower… nice and close and since it has been about 6 years since we’ve been there, we were well overdue for another visit.
Firth Tower
It’s a great place and now run by the Matamata Historical Society has changed a lot since our last visit. It’s well worth looking at our last visit as we the pictures I took back then had the benefit of some good weather 🙂
Some of the neat buildings from around the district
The Motorhome Parking is now marked out and with more Powered sites and a complete overhaul of the loos, it’s a great spot for overnighting. It was also blowing dogs off chains, but we were well sheltered behind some big hedges and trees.
Click on the Gallery below to see this amazing Museum Enlarged
In the McCaw House
In the McCaw House
The school
A corrugate Iron Roller
Firth Tower
In the tower
As I’ve said, the remnants of the storm were still with us, and it looked a bit grim but check out the pictures for an overview. Check out our previous visit 6 or so years ago for some sunshine in the images 🙂
Looking down through the mirk from the tower.
A great spot to stay and good value for $15 per vehicle including power and access to loos and really nice people too.
Rafe’s Tracker map to The Firth Tower – Armada GPS
We woke up to another great day of sunshine and after cups of Tea and Coffee with Steve and Rosemary, we decided it would be better to move a little further down the road.
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At the Golf Club, Steve and Rosemary’s Esprit behind
We were heading to the Hawkes Bay Golf club so after a trip into Hastings to get some provisions and the dump station, we headed to the Golf Club.
Horse was the camp supervisor, and he very quickly had us sorted for a spot with some power. There were showers and Toilets too in the main building across the practice Tee.
We decided to keep it close today and not ride too far as it was predicted to get really hot. There were two vineyards close by that both had good ratings. Alpha Domus and Abbey rather than attempt the 25k’s odd the day before 🙂
From the parking area across to the Clubhouse and facilities
After leaving the golf club we headed for the closest one Abbey but before we got there, we bumped into some people biking away for some feedback and they said it was chocker being right on lunchtime, so we thought we’d head to Alpha Domus a bit further down the road.
At Alpha Domus about to enjoy some really nice Sparkling Rose.Alpha Domus by the vines. Fiona Rosemary and Steve. – Iphone pic.
It was lovely there. Some nice trees in the carpark to chain the bikes to, a great sparkling Rose and some very helpful people. They didn’t have anything to eat so we settled for a couple of bags of chips. The Sparkling Beatrix Rose was a stunner, and it was very pleasant sitting in the shade on the edge of the vineyard.
At Abbey, Steve with his beer tasting.
After this we headed about 200 metres up the road to Abbey Vineyard and it was still pretty busy but what a great atmosphere. There was a band playing and it was alive and kicking 🙂
Steve did a beer tasting, Fiona had an upmarket Gin and Tonic and I settled for a Chardonnay and the platter we got between us was amazing.
Rosemary and Steve at AbbeyThe Scene at Abbey
We spent a good hour or two here and then had a quiet ride back to the Motorhomes.
A perfect day in paradise… Steve and Rosemary joined us after tea in Rafe. A fantastic day with good company.
Rafe’s Tracker map to the Golf Club via Provisions – Armada – GPS
Leaving the Gentle Annie and arriving in Hastings, we arranged to stay at a Vineyard right in heart of the Bridge Pa wine triangle. There were Bike Trails almost to the front door of the Vineyard to any of the other Cellar Doors and Vineyards. We were in for a treat.
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Looking out from our parking spot across the Vineyard
The Vineyard was also the home of Double of Quits Vineyard or as we called it Ali’s Bikes. Ali and her husband owned the 4 acres of vines of several varieties and also ran the Bike hire business from a big Barn. Alongside the Barn were 4 powered sites for Motorhomes.
We were perfectly positioned for a great day biking around the vineyards. The weather forecast was great, we were right in the middle of the vineyards, a perfect situation 🙂
On the bike trail to Trinity Hill
Early the next morning, I got the bikes off the back of Rafe and we were off. We headed off to one of the roads up by Roy’s Hill as we had seen Trinity Hill as we drove in.
We bumped into a group of people biking in the opposite direction to us and we stopped for a chat and a recce as quite a few of the vineyards were closed. They had just biked from Trinity Hill and confirmed it was open so destination confirmed!
Fiona crossing the road outside Trinity HillArrived !
We hadn’t booked but they were able to squeeze us in for lunch which was great.
I’ve always been a bit of a Chardonnay fan and they had what had recently won the best Chardonnay in the world in the International Wine competition, the 125 Gimblett and it was the best!
Rahil with the wine from heaven.
I did a wine tasting of three of their better Chardy’s and we had a platter between the two of us… It was just magic and the education on the wines was great too. Rahil was our man of the day telling us all there was to know about the wines. Fantastic experience.
Amazing Platter
After leaving there we headed back to Rafe and our park and settled down in the sun with yes… a glass of Chardonnay 🙂
We hadn’t long been back when we received a call from friends, Rosemary and Steve from the Dethleffs Owners Group in their newish Esprit GT.
Great to see them and we sat outside and enjoyed what was left of the sunshine for the day.
Storage at Trinity Hill
A wonderful day and so nice to be in a good spot to be able to bike around the vineyards.
Rafe’s Tracker map to the Vineyard showing Trinity Hill – Armada – GPS
One of the major strategies of this trip was to drive across the Gentle Annie Road from Taihape to Napier. Fiona spent several years as a youngster living in Waiouru and did several trips across this road with her family to see her Grandparents who lived in Ongonga. It was then a gravel road which took some 5 hours, and in a Triumph Herald, that would have been fun!
The first things we did when we arrived in Taihape was to stop at our favourite Cafe Brown Sugar Cafe.
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Plenty of space for their events. Toilets/showers on the left.
Fiona wanted to have a bit of a nosey around the town while took Rafe up the hill to the Gumtree Holiday Park which was an easy walk away.
Gumtree was originally setup as an area where Eve and her builder husband could have Eve’s Dance Studio, her husband’s workshop and room for their friends to stay. As time went on, they had some small events with their friends who bought Caravans, so they decided to go all out and set up the area for Motorhomes and caravans to stay. The end of the workshop houses a well setup Toilet and Shower facility and there.
Parked in the corner to get the breeze. The Taihape Airfield is just over the gully behind those big trees.
On arrival I was told to park anywhere on one of the 12 or so powered sites around the fence line and Eve would pop down and give me all the info I needed. Very easy.
It was really hot, so I chose to park in a corner where a nice breeze was coming across the gully nearby. I was the only one there at that time but by the end of the day there were 6 or so mostly Caravans popped in for the night.
Others came later
It’s a great spot and an easy walk down to the town.
Even though Taihape is only a small town, it is not blessed with lots of options for Motorhomes so it’s nice to know there was a nice camp with a reasonable tariff and friendly face within easy reach of the town.
Rafe’s Tracker map to the Gumtree Holiday Park – Armada – GPS
What a pleasant surprise finding the Tokoroa Club parking area.
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Excellent parking
Nicely partitioned away from the normal parking area with 6 powered sites.
The Bowling club next door
It is extremely good value for $10 and they’re really friendly people too.
Massive carpark with the Motorhome parking behind.
Their carparks are huge but at the back of their main carpark are the Motorhome / Caravan parks.
We arrived early in the afternoon, plugged in, opened the vents and went into the bar for a nice cold Gin and Tonic and paid for the park at the same time.
There was a storm due!
They do meals as well but you do need to be a member of a Club to be able to use the indoor areas.
The Club
A great spot for an overnight break.
Rafe’s Tracker map to the Tokoroa Club – Armada – GPS
Thats exactly what it is too! Set out over 50 acres with Restaurants, A Wedding Venue, A Chapel, a Pub, an Art Gallery, A Gym… the list goes on.
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Nice parking
On our way to see friends on the Takaka Peninsula, we’ve driven past here a few times to it was time to try it out and see the markets on the Sunday which is Fiona’s favourite thing to do.
I booked two nights as I thought Fiona was coming too but at the 11th hour, she came down with a germ and told me not to stay around. It turned out that I came down with it anyway a few days later!
At the ride on train stationThe ride on Train
I arrived early in the morning on the Saturday and after getting settled in, I walked the 300 metres odd to the Cafe and central area. I was in the queue in the Cafe when good friends Mark and his wife Dinah arrived with Dinah’s brother Wayne.
The Cafe
I haven’t seen Wayne for years, so it was really nice to see them all. After a cup of coffee and something to eat, they headed off to a working bee at their place nearby.
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Inside Smiths, the pub.
Outside Smiths.
The Wedding reception area.
One of the Loos
After that, I went for a walk back to Rafe just as new neighbours were arriving.
I later went over to the pub to check it all out and it seemed there was a wedding on. Lots of people glammed up and had popped through from the adjoining wedding reception area.
The Gallery
I later met the General Manager Peter who was telling me that they had been absolutely dealt to by the rain and had all sorts of plans to upgrade the parking for the Motorhomes and add some new sites.
The Action Ninja World for kids
After a quiet drink with my neighbours, I packed it in for the night looking forward to the Markets the next morning 🙂
Rafe’s Tracker map to Matakana Country Park – Armada GPS
One of the iconic Hotels around and just out of Auckland is this wonderful old historic pub. It also has a huge carpark where you can stay overnight in your Motorhome or Caravan.
The Parking area
While I was in this neck of the woods, I thought I’d pop in and check it out.
How the first settlers arrived.
Puhoi started out having three Hotels after emigrants from Europe all wanted to be in on the business. Eventually one bought the others out and the current Puhoi Hotel which was built in 1879 became the communities premier place to socialise.
It has been owned by the same family since 1962.
At the bar
I love old buildings and this one has the charm and grace to go with it. The bar is decked out with every Knick knack you can imagine. It just reeks of character.
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General store
Across the road
You can stay the night in the hotel too if you have friends without their own accommodation. The parking for Motorhomes is just across the road.
I went for a brief walk around the village, and it is like time stood still. The old buildings look like they would have been 100 odd years ago.
We set off early on the Friday morning thinking there might be a bit of early Labour weekend traffic, but it wasn’t to be, and we made it to Coromandel in pretty good time.
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Steve Gibson took this amazing shot with his drone. Coromandel shops are off to the left.
The Frankia Owners group organiser Brian Maginness, had invited me along to meet some of the group. Many of them were ex Dethleff owners so it was nice to see them again. They’re a good bunch and I’ve always admired the Frankia Motorhomes so we were really looking forward to it.
Brian had booked out the entire Park over property at Acres which is almost right in the middle of Coromandel town. Run by Pauline and Ron as part of their property in a separate area complete with power and a bathroom, it is spectacular, and we’ll definitely be back to see them again.
Late on Friday afternoon, a few gathered outside Rafe and Happy Hour was on.
I met Russell and Lorraine who were originally from New Plymouth where I had just come from the photo Auction for Hospice.
It turns out that Russell spent a lot of his working life as a Linotype operator at the Daily News in New Plymouth so knew many of my press photographer friends who were involved in the Auction as they had also worked at the Daily News. Small world stuff.
It was really nice reminiscing about the old technology with the lead bars, slugs on the page (letters/paragraphs for the press) Great stuff.
Outside the gate
I also caught up with Peter and Heather who have adult children a similar age to our own and have lived close to us in Devonport for a long time. They’ve recently just got started with their near new Frankia Platin. Lovely to see them enjoying their new Motorhome.
My old friend from Devonport, Peter.
After the happy hour was finished, we all headed up to one of the restaurants in the main street of Coromandel about 5 minutes’ walk away. A great night and everyone had fun.
The next morning, it was each to their own. Some went bike riding, some walked up the back through the bush, we went for a walk through town and after lunch, walked back slowly to the camp to catch up with our neighbours in their Motorhomes.
Off for a Bike ride
Happy Hour rolled around and after this, I set up a team piccy and moved the group, so our Dethleffs was out of the background 🙂
The Team
That night’s tea was at my favourite restaurant in Coromandel, The Star and Garter. The meal I had was massive and Peter who was sitting next to me, watched me struggle through it. It was so nice.
I wasn’t going to waste any of it. 🙂 A nice meal as always and at a reasonable price. Another great night.
Star and Garter on the left looking up the main street.
We all ambled back to the park and crashed.
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a Happy hour getting started.
The Star and Garter
The old historic loos.
Provisioning in Coromandel
The next day, many left. The rally was over but Fiona and I along with several others had enjoyed the park and the others company so much, we weren’t quite ready to go home 🙂
a Happy hour getting started.
A fantastic gathering… Well organised Brian and thank you to you all for making us both welcome.
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.
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