Tag Archives: Free Parking

Close to home, Events, NZMCA Rallies, Shows

The 2026 Covi Show

March 23, 2026 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

Always something to look forward to and plenty to see. The Rally at Ellerslie Racecourse generously put on by Covi is always good too.

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I arrived early on the Thursday morning and not long after, one of the parking guys turned up to open the gate and let us in.

Friends of mine who I haven’t seen for a while Nolina and Walter, were there too so it was great to see them as well.

We were directed up onto a mound running alongside the track and parked in lines one behind the other. All very organised.

Within an hour or so there was about 50 or so Motorhomes all parked up and more arrived as the day wore on in the brilliant sunshine. Later in the day, we were surprised by the arrival of old friends Liz and David who had been delayed and weren’t sure they’d be here. It was really nice to see them too.

Walter and Nolina next door on the right.

Later in the day, we all caught up for the 4pm ritual of Happy Hour. As we were in a designated emergency road, we moved around the corner to join some new friends next door, a lot of fun and nice to meet some new people.

Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged Slideshow

The secon hand area.

The AMC Unimog

The next day, I wandered down and caught the free bus into the Auckland Events centre where the show was on. What was noticeable was the huge amounts of Caravans from previous years, a lot more from Aussie too.

Talking to some of the vendors that were saying how quiet it was and I noticed that in the smaller than usual number of Motorhomes at Ellerslie as well. The plus side of this meant it was easy to get in and see what you wanted to see without huge queues which was good.

I checked in at UCC’s stand to chat to Rob who showed me their new 2026 Dethleffs Sunlight with a Luton Cab. At only 6 metres it fits in a supermarket carpark and at just under $160k, it is great value. Nice to see Rob again too.

Click on the Gallery below to see the Sunlight Slideshow

The Dethleffs Sunlight

Popping into one of the bigger stands, Zion, I had a look at the new Chic S Plus Cathargo 4 berth Motorhomes. This baby is on a Iveco 3l motor and at 7.9 meters long, offers plenty of space.

Click on the Gallery below to see the Cathargo Slideshow

The Cathargo

Cathargo

From here it was on to the NZMCA stand where I caught up with Ryan and the team and then onto see a huge Unimog based custom adventure Motorhome built by Chris’s team at ACM Motorhomes.

What a monster.. but a fun looking machine.

From here I had a look through some of the small accessory stalls where I ended up buying a set of nice ceramic pots from RV Mega.

It was a bold attempt to replace our mismatched collection of cast offs from our house which seem to spend every trip rattling in a drawer. It doesn’t matter what you do, they want to rattle 🙂
We’ll see how that works!

The Caravans were interesting. From the small Polish Enka, we started with some 13 years ago, they have come a long way with battery systems and using all the available spaces.

The Eriba is slightly bigger than the Enka we had but an interesting addition to the market.

I also had a nosey at the Swift Challenger before looking Jayco’s new 48volt, Projecta powered caravan. Nicely set up and an amazing new concept in powering a caravan.

There seems to be a move to smaller Caravans and Motorhomes and a big change to the use of technology on the road.

I headed back to the bus stop and caught up with my neighbours for a bit of debrief and something wet 🙂

Later in the day Fiona arrived, and we had another look in at the show to see if there was anything we missed! A fun few days.

Rafe’s tracker map home from the Racecourse parking – Armada GPS

Close to home, Waikato

Bliss on the Beach

February 13, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

When we first got our motorhome, Ray’s Rest quickly became one of our favorite freedom camping spots.

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It’s one of the few places in New Zealand where you can park right on the sand, looking out across the water with the Coromandel Peninsula offering some shelter.

A few years ago, this spot like many others saw an influx of largely overseas tourists misusing freedom camping areas. It wasn’t uncommon to wake up with a budget rental van parked just inches from your doorway. Thankfully, updated self-containment and freedom camping laws have put an end to that, making places like Ray’s Rest much more enjoyable again.

A drone being setup for fishing off the beach

Two weeks earlier, I’d been knocked out by Covid, so Fiona suggested I take the motorhome out for some fresh air while she worked, and she’d join me later. Brilliant idea! With the sun shining, I stocked up at Countdown Supermarket and hit the road.

When I arrived, there were plenty of parking spots, though they quickly filled as the day went on. It was great to catch up with several familiar faces, New Zealand really is a small place!

I spent the afternoon walking along the beach, soaking in the sunshine, and appreciating just how lucky we are to have places like this to stay. The weather was stunning, and an onshore breeze kept things comfortable—absolute perfection.

Rays Rest is famous for being a bird migration landing zone.

After two blissful days of sea air and sunshine, I packed up, already planning my next visit.

Ray’s Rest is still magic, and I’ll definitely be back for more 🙂

Rafe’s tracker map to Rays Rest – Armada GPS

Waikato

Little Waipa

October 5, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 3 Comments

For years several friends of mine have been telling me how nice this place is, and I finally got to stay here. It is right on the Waikato River just north or Arapuni. It is also right on the Waikato River trail for biking and walking.

I arrived here in the morning and there was quite a bit of room. (Mid-week) There are some pretty flash loos here too, but they are clean long drops.

Its lovely just sitting there with the music on watching the Swans and Ducks and generally taking it all in.

A nice spot given it is freedom camping and it just shows how spoilt we are in the Waikato region with the council providing parking like this.

Rafe’s tracker map to Mystery Creek – Armada GPS

Close to home, Waikato

A quick trip away in the cold!

August 4, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

It’s cold and the weather isn’t that flash, but it was time to give Rafe a fright by getting on a highway or two.

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My first destination was the Kaiaua NZMCA park and being a Wednesday afternoon, it was no real surprise to find there was only one other vehicle there, but we were joined by another Motorhome later in the day. It rained most of the day, but it was nice and warm and there were a few movie endings I wanted to see on Netflix to keep me going 🙂

Later I wandered over to the pub next door for a glass of wine and managed to catch the 2^nd half of the NZ womans 7’s team winning a medal… fantastic.

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Quiet in Kaiaua

One of the main streets in Thames

The Paeroa Pub

The main street in Paeroa

In the morning, it was still pretty gloomy, but I went for a bit of a walk around with the camera. It is very different here mid-week with unfavourable weather, that’s for certain. Here’s what it looked like a few months ago.

After packing up and stowing things for travel, I thought I’d head for Thames to check out a spot for next year’s Dethleffs Owners group. Finding accommodation for 40 plus vehicles that also takes Dogs that we haven’t been to, is not all that easy.

Our new venue for the get together next year.

After ringing ahead, I later met Kevin who showed me around out next venue which is perfect and an easy walk or bike to the shops. Its in the diary and we’re all ready steady go for early next year.

Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I thought while I was out and about, I’d pop out to Paeroa which is only 20 k’s away and settled into a spot in the council provided freedom camping at the end of the main street. A great spot and for $5 I had power too for the heater… it was cold!

The next morning after a look around Paeroa, I headed back to Auckland stopping at Ngatea for Diesel and the Dump Station. A nice couple of nights away. A flashback to a recent trip to Paeroa.

Rafe’s tracker map to Thames and Paeroa – Armada GPS

Taranaki 2024

Tawhiti Museum

February 4, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

This is an amazing place setup by Nigel Ogle in an old disused Dairy Factory on the outskirts of Hawera.

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One of the smaller Diorama’s in the Cafe

Nigel has put this together from scratch including making all the characters and models and the attention to detail is absolutely stunning.

It is split into several sections and the last time we were here, we only had time to do one section (several hours). This time we were going to try one of the ones we missed last time, being the Traders and Whalers.

Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged Slideshow

In the mower section

The shop

After parking and checking in, we set off to the Traders and Whalers section where we guided through some fairly dimly lit tunnels with some amazing life-sized dioramas with hugely detailed people with flax, rifles, boats and everything to do with early NZ.

We were then led to a big underground cave like area with a moat and a 20 odd person boat. With some others, we got into it and were taken through an amazing area of sound, light and more life-sized dioramas of early New Zealand showing early Maoris trading flax and Muskets with settlers. So well done. I believe it was a collaborative effort with Weta Workshop, so I wasn’t able to photograph any of it. Just amazing and a must see.

After that we went through to see some smaller displays of early whaling and trading then onto the Cafe for a really nice coffee. They have an amazing selection of traditional cakes, and we chose a couple of beauties.

Across the road is very easy Motorhome parking on a big patch of grass next to the car parking.

As I said a must see if you’re in the area.

Rafe’s tracker map to Tawhiti Museum and onto Wanganui – Armada GPS

Taranaki 2024

Dethleffs in the Driveway

January 21, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

As we left Mokau, we were invited along with Steve and Rosemary to stay at Greg and Shona’s place in New Plymouth. They are also part of the Dethleffs Owners team and Graeme and Shirley were going to be there too.

Us on the left in front, Steve and Rosemary’s Esprit GT behind and to the right, Greg and Shona’s Advantage.

I was a wee bit nervous after repairing part of my Chassis at the back which gets scraped occasionally on high forecourts and driveways as there was a huge camber at the end of the driveway, but no damage was done 🙂

It was lovely to catch up with Greg and Shona and it was very kind of them to put us all up in their driveway with power too! We had a fantastic dinner together and a lovely night in the driveway.

In the morning we all set off in different directions. Fiona and I set off to New Plymouth city to see the famous Len Lye Gallery and have some lunch and Fiona was keen to see some shops 🙂

The Len Lye centre with the White Swan behind.

Our next destination was all about New Years eve 🙂

The reflection of the White Swan hotel in the Len Lye centre

Thanks again guys for having us in your driveway and thanks for a great night. It was great to see Graeme and Shirley again too.

Rafe’s tracker map to Waitara – Armada GPS

Waikato

Antique Heaven in Paeroa

September 6, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

On the way from Waihi, I saw that the free parking in Paeroa was empty so I figured it might be timely to visit Countdown for some food and a look around Paeroa.

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I parked Rafe, paid for the parking and it was time to check out Paeroa… in the rain. It was pouring down. The Antique shops are amazing, but I had a feeling that there were a few more.

It wasn’t until later in the day when I popped into the Pub opposite the parking, The Paeroa Hotel that I found out sadly that several shops had not made it through the Covid lockdowns and the downturn that went with it. Several Antique shops too. Its always a shame to see a business fail especially when its outside your control to some degree like the Covid lockdown.

The Hotel was fun. I met several of the locals, had a few laughs and after a couple of glasses of wine headed back to Rafe.

The parking is essentially free unless you use power. That costs $5 a night and it’s all laid on by the Hauraki Council. It’s great to see a council that recognises that if you give Motor homers access to where the tills are and something to buy, buy they will so it’s a win win 🙂

Anyway, it’s a fantastic facility and so handy right in the middle of town.

I have always stayed in the Paeroa RV centre. Great folk there and a reasonable price but it’s a good half hour walk from town.

Rafe’s tracker map to Paeroa – Armada GPS

Cape Reinga trip 23, Northland

Mangonui, the Home of great Fish and Chips

April 30, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

Years ago, we had friends up here who lived in Hihi. We used to come up here and stay over the New Year period with them and other friends. We stayed in a pup tent under a Ti Tree:-) It was always heaps of fun and Mangonui was the local big town if you like.

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So, Mangonui was on the must do list for this trip. We stopped at a parking area just as you enter the town with Toilets, a dump station and is also a freedom camping area between the trees. A nice spot.

The parking by the water.. Toilets, and Dump station along with freedom camping.

We then walked about 15 minutes around to Mangonui Fish shop passing all the lovely historic buildings, the Pub, a big shopping building, the over the water 4 square store, and lastly the fish shop.

It’s a great spot and the fish is so fresh having the boats come in right next door. Some of the Lemon fish is actually caught from the shop.

Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow

The parking by the water.. Toilets, and Dump station along with freedom camping.

Opposite the parking area

The walk into Maunganui

The Old Oak Boutique Hotel

The Famous Manganui Fish Shop

Local Fishing wharf

The Hotel

Neat Buildings

The walk back to Rafe

After an hour or so of indulging in this delicious food, we walked back via and ice cream shop opposite to Rafe and started heading north again.

Close to home, Shows

Covi Motorhome Show 2023

March 20, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

They never disappoint despite the fact that this was smaller than previous years. It was cancelled last year due to Covid too, so many were really looking forward to this one.

I arrived on the Wednesday afternoon to arrange the Dethleffs Owners group parking next in the Alexander Park carpark pretty much behind the scoreboard which was a primo spot.

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There was a race meeting on the Friday night. Fiona came over after work in the car and we went out for tea at the Lone Star under one of the new Apartment buildings next to the grandstand. The front of the restaurant all opened up to the track so you could watch the racing which was amazing.

When I was about 20 odd, one of my roles as a junior Herald Photographer was to do the night trots. It was a mission as the horses are largely black and the background is black too so a bit of chemical trickery was required to make it happen with the low light on film 🙂 think 1970’s.

With all the storms we’ve had recently, Alexander Park raceway suffered some pretty awful damage to their track and had to relay the track. The pile of shells was our windbreak from the southerly wind if one was to eventuate 🙂

On with the show …. One of the highlights of the show for me was to see the new Kiwi Caravan made by ACM Motorhomes. It’s called the Romotow and is modelled on the principle of a Swiss army knife.

The Robotow is a polished looking beast. I’ll let the pictures below tell the story. The list price is $429k.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow of the Romotow!

ACM is owned by a very clever qualified boatbuilder, Chris Cunard and they repaired my floor in Rafe a few years ago when it started to misbehave. I now have one of the few motorhomes in the world where the vinyl now matches across all the hatches in the floor! Very tidy job and you can see more on ACM here.

The other thing I was pleased to see was the Morelo Palace with a small Toyota half out of the rear garage. They’re an impressive motorhome and have everything that opens and shuts.

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the Palace.

The trend to smaller Motorhomes and Caravans still seems to be the way things are going.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow.

The new Dethleffs Just Go on a Ford chassis.

Dethleffs Just Go

Thredbo Caravan

Trailites

Interesting slide on Ute Motorhomes.

Central RV Caravans

Autotrail Tracker

There was an interesting little teardrop there too at 28k too.

It was nice to see the fine crew on the NZMCA stand again with #1 Motorhome.

The show was quite a bit smaller than previous years but just as interesting and with all the main players there.

A big thanks to David Culpan for helping us with the Dethleffs parking.

Rafe’s tracker map to our parking at Alexander Park. – Armada GPS

Close to home, Great Beaches, Waikato

Rays Rest

February 22, 2023 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

A favourite free parking spot for many.. on the coast north of Miranda.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Well recommended if you live in Auckland, are finding diesel expensive and can’t decide where to go for a night or two.

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.

	Chris Miller - Bugge… on 2026 Beach Hop
	Warmenhj on 2026 Beach Hop
	Warmenhj on Cruising to the 2026 Dethleffs…
	Chris Miller - Bugge… on Cruising to the 2026 Dethleffs…

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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.