Tag Archives: Free Parking

Waikato

Quirky Cottages

I’ve wanted to check in on Mangakino for a while but being on a slightly off the beaten track road, it wasn’t until we needed to get through to Te Awamutu on the way to Pirongia, that we found a reason to go this way.

kuratau
Love the flower pots

kuratauIts a neat little town. The buildings are all amazing little workers cottages, built for the dam workers by the Ministry of works. Nowadays, its a big bach area with many of the cottages taking on a new look as people customise them for their own needs.

The Bus cafe
Bus cafe
Parking
Overnighting area
Fiona surfing the web on the Lake front (Van wifi)
Rafe at Lake Muraetai Bus café behind

We popped in for a cup of tea and went to check out the free parking area by the lake. You can also get power for $5.  The weather was building up for nationwide thunderstorms when we arrived so it was pretty cloudy but if you were going that way, it looks like a good place to stop. There is a Café run from an old bus with loos as well.

The lake
The lake

The town centre looks pretty trendy being all in one newish building further up the road so it’s all there. A nice spot to visit if you’re in the area.

Close to home, Northland

Parking behind the History

One of the great new secrets of Mangawhai is the Motorhome parking behind the history in the new Mangawhai Museum. 

Parked behind the Museum
Parked behind the Museum

It’s a huge area and perfectly flat and also has the dump station and for a donation, fresh water. 

One of the most decorated dump stations
One of the most decorated dump stations

We arrived here fresh from having a look around Bennetts chocolate factory and the old Mangawhai shops and were keen to check out the Museum. 

In a brand new purpose built building with a cafe, it is really well done and well worth a look through. There is a lot of history on the Niagara sinking and a huge amount of items donated by the founding families of the the area. 

Plenty of room
what a memory!
A model of the old wharf by the Hotel
Inside the museum

After visiting the Museum, we unhitched the bikes and went for a bit of a trek around the new housing areas opposite the Museum.  As we left, we saw our caravan neighbours from the pub carpark the previous night arriving at the dump station. 

Lots of room and dead flat
Lots of room and dead flat

Another great free parking discovery at Mangawhai and the Museum is one of the best!

Close to home, Northland

At the Pub

There were thunderstorms predicted and the showers on the road from Kaiwaka to Mangawhai were pretty heavy. We were going to stay at Scandrett but decided, given the weather, we’d be better off plonking the 4 odd tons of Rafe on gravel or tarseal. 

We looked at the Hakuru RSA on the way but as there was no one around decided we’d try the Mangawhai Pub which was an NZMCA Park over Property. Not my first choice on a Saturday night as we’d be sharing the park with pub patron cars. We thought we’d give it a go as there was a caravan who’d been there for a few nights who hadn’t had any trouble so we parked over in the corner as close to them as we could and headed in for a drink.

The pub carpark
The pub carpark

It’s a really nice old historic hotel right on the water. Everywhere you looked, it reeked with history and lots of character. As we settled down for our first drinks with a bowl of chips, a huge thunderstorm hit and lots of rain. I love a good thunderstorm, especially when you’re nicely tucked up inside out if the rain.

In front of the pub
In front of the pub

The rain didn’t last long so I went for a walk down to the beach in front and checked out the estuary for some piccies. I also did some more in the morning.

We settled down for tea and watched TV and about 11pm, we felt a few very gentle rolls of the van, like someone in the van had moved. Someone’s sense of humour as they were leaving the carpark!  We ignored it and a second later it stopped and we heard more cars drive away. No harm done. A nice spot and really handy to town and it is free after all. Maybe not Friday or Saturday nights though!

Don’t forget to click on images for hi res or a slideshow

Parked in the corner
The main street of Mangahwai. Bennett’s chocolate factory on the right
A character building on the main street
The café at Bennett’s
Bennetts Chocolate Factory
Behind Bennetts Factory

The next morning we parked around behind Bennetts chocolate factory.  I wasn’t aware but there is a huge large Motorhome friendly park behind the building.

I love carparks like this. Behind Bennetts Chocolate Factory
I love carparks like this. Behind Bennetts Chocolate Factory

After a cuppa at Bennetts chocolate factory café and some chocolate. we went for a wander around the shops in Mangawhai.

Mangawhai Estuary
Mangawhai Estuary

A neat little town and not too far from Auckland.

Waikato

Jukebox and Classic Cars

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As you arrive into Hamilton off the expressway from the north, you will see at one of the roundabouts, a car on top of a pole.

The entrance to the Cafe and Museum
The entrance to the Cafe and Museum

This is the Jukebox Cafe and Classic Car Museum. NZMCA members can stay the night here for free and there is tons of room at the back of a huge carpark.

Inside the Museum
Inside the Museum

The Jukebox cafe is all decked out with an American 60’s Rock n roll type decor along with the staff wearing the retro clobber. While we didn’t eat here it all looks pretty good.

Click on the images for Hi res / Slideshow

The Auburn
The back of the Auburn
A car I had as a teenager, a Mark 1 Zephyr
Corvette
The front of the Auburn
An Alvis
Fiona’s favourite, the Messerschmitt

The Classic Car Museum is a must do and is someone’s private collection. It includes a caravan, a Cord, and an amazing looking Auburn which I’d never heard of.

Dodge trucks
Dodge trucks

There’s a Messerschmitt along with trucks and many others. You’ll easily get lost in here for an hour or two.

The parking outside the museum
The parking outside the museum
Us and Dianne and Gary's XLI
Us and Dianne and Gary’s XLI

We went through here with Gary and Dianne before they headed back to Taupo and were sitting in the carpark getting ready for a cuppa while waiting for Fiona. She was really taken with the Messerschmitt.

NZMCA Rallies, Rallies

The Covi Supershow – Lots of images

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Ellerslie later in the day
Ellerslie Racecourse with the NZMCA parking

A great turn out from Motorhomers saw the car parks chocker on Thursday. Friday arrivals were redirected to Ellerslie racecourse to the centre of the track. There was a free shuttle going to and fro from the show to the carpark which worked really well. Ellerslie was free and we got a free bag of lollies for the inconvenience, what inconvenience? 

The show seemed a bit smaller this year, maybe I missed a bit but the big difference I noticed this year was the trend towards caravans.

Click on the images to see hi res and Slideshows

Dethleffs Xli
Dethleffs Xli
Dethleffs Xli
Dethleffs XLI
Dethleffs Xli
Dethleffs Esprit. I’m not sure what Bernie (in the blue) said but the punters look a bit stunned 🙂 It would have been something good knowing Bernie !
Frankia
Frankia
Frankia
Frankia
Dethleffs Corner
Rockwood Caravan
Inside the Rockwood
Inside the Rockwood
Inside the Rockwood
Burstner Elegance
Burstner corner
Autotrail
Autotrail
Autotrail corner
Autotrail Commanche
Autotrail Commanche
Bailey Caravan
Bailey Caravan
Bailey Caravan
Kea Caravan
Kea Caravan
Eldiss Caravan
Camec Stand
Dometic and waeco stand
Kea Motorhomes
Jayco with slid outs
Jayco with slide outs
The Jayco
Jayco pop up
The interior of the Jayco pop up
The NZMCA stand
NZMCA stand
New retro caravans
Time for a rest
CI corner

It was really nice to see the Lilliputs there with their classic cars.

Vintage Caravans and cars
Vintage Caravans and cars
Lilliput
Lilliput

The Dethleffs caravans were impressive. Lots of space and nicely decked out. The title pic is the interior.. nice ! The pictures really tell the story. 

Dethleffs Caravan
Dethleffs Caravan
Dethleffs caravan
Dethleffs caravan
Dethleffs Caravan
Dethleffs Caravan

I ended up back at Ellerslie mid afternoon and prepared myself for meeting people as you do!

Nicely tucked in for the night
Nicely tucked in for the night
Ellerslie later in the day
Ellerslie later in the day

It was nice to catch up with some Dethleffs owners later in the day amongst all the other people, Motorhomes and Caravans.

Waikato

Outside my window …..

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Yesterday morning, I pulled into Ray’s Rest mainly just to have a cup of tea, something to eat and tidy up Rafe. This included putting my towel and togs on my bike rack clothes line.

Some action at Ray's Rest
Some action at Ray’s Rest

As it does, lunch time came around fairly quickly so I closed the roof hatches, shut the windows and I was heading  into Kaiaua for fish and chips for lunch. I’d just arrived back when my neighbour came over to tell me that I had left in such a hurry that I’d left my towel and togs on the  bike rack line. The towel was still there but the togs had vanished!

I ate the fish and chips while they were hot, Gurnard and a couple of scallops. Yum!  Then set off in Rafe to look for my togs. Just down the road about 100 metres from Ray’s Rest towards Kaiaua were my togs on the side of the road in a shrub! Memo to self:  I must make sure I clear the clothesline before taking off 😳

So, feeling like a bit of a chump, I went over and thanked my neighbour giving him the good news that it was bone dry 😄  It’s just as well my togs are bright orange!

Back at Ray’s Rest, not a puff of the forecast wind, hardly any clouds to be seen, I decided to stay the night.

In the morning on the beach
In the morning on the beach

The sunset was amazing… As was the morning again today.  It’s easy to see why so many Motorhomers stay here.

looking out of the window last night at Ray's Rest
looking out of the window last night at Ray’s Rest
Dusk at Ray's Rest
Dusk at Ray’s Rest

Remember to click on the images to see them in all there glory!

The View out of my window this morning.
The View out of my window this morning.

 

Close to home

Gulf Harbour

Over the last few months there has been quite a lot of discussion on the NZMCA forum on the changes to the Free camping area at Gulf Harbour.

Nice spot for overnighting with a great view
Nice spot for overnighting with a great view

We were going to spend a night with my brother in law John and his other half Marnie at Silverdale and as we were a bit early, we decided to check it out and stop for a cup of tea. The weather wasn’t playing the game so it wasn’t looking its best as the nice overnighting spot that it is.

Nice for a cup of tea, Great outlook right back to the City
Nice for a cup of tea, Great outlook right back to the City

I think the council have done quite a good job of separating the boat trailer car parking, the Motorhome parking and the ferry parkers.

The sign writing is nice and clear and allows plenty of room for everyone.

On the northern side
On the northern side
A great spot with good facilities including a dump station
A great spot with good facilities including a dump station

My only comment for improvements would be to take a leaf out of Taupo councils book and paint the 3m fire safety gap, as No Parking between each park, so the tourists and those not aware,  don’t try to jam in late at night.

Oops, maybe here for the day
Oops, maybe just stopping  for a moment.. Nice long trailer parking for the boaties.

We only stopped for a look and moved on to Silverdale but a big improvement.

Art Deco 2016

Lakefront views for free

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After lifting in to place the pre made walls of the new scullery and enjoying another fantastic breakfast, Gary had a crack at Fiona’s sewing machine and fixed it ! Being clever with things like this and in his workshop from heaven, he managed to make it do the things it was supposed to do.
Gary and Dianne were heading to Auckland to see a show so after a couple of great days and nights with them and after saying our goodbyes, we left and headed into Taupo.

A visit to the dump station for emptying and water, then we stopped at one of the free waterfront Motorhome parks.

The cycling/walk track which go's right around the lakefront
The cycling/walk track which go’s right around the lakefront

We were right over the road from the Taupo park with a small train for kids, a superloo where you can have a shower and tidy yourself up for a few dollars, or play giant chess. It is also right in the middle of town and has a view all over the lake. You couldn’t be in a better spot. The sign writing on the road also allows for the magic 3 metres between vans for fire safety.

Don’t forget to click on the images on this page for hi res.

The parking area
The kids train
The chess board
Down the Main Street. Park on the right
The superloo
People enjoying the view in front of the parked vans
Dusk

Within minutes of arriving, we met our neighbours right next door and later some people from Whitianga in their caravan who are also heading to Napier.

Dusk
Dusk

We walked into town for lunch and Fiona did the shops. I checked out the park and headed back to Rafe for a read and a general blob.
Later our neighbours popped in for a sundowner.

Another great day on the road.

Coromandel 2016

The Gold Town

I’ve just spent two great nights in the centre of Thames for free. As I first arrived, I met Dave and Janice, a retired couple from Taranaki who live in their well kitted out Caravan and were lots of fun. We were stuck inside for several hours when the heavens opened and spent it wisely having lots of laughs in their caravan. I met several other Motorhomers there too who wanted to have a look at Rafe and were keen to swap notes. Lots of fun.

Chocker at Danby field
Chocker at Danby field

The park is next to Goldfields shopping centre where there is a Warehouse, Pack N Save, McDonalds a KFC and numerous other smaller shops, everything you need. There are also a brand new toilet block and a playground as well.

Goldfields Shopping centre
Thames
Danby filed from across the road
The famous Brian Boru hotel
Marina
Marina
Shortland Wharf. The boat in the foreground was for sale!

It is one block from the Main Street of Thames, the Famous Brian Boru hotel and only a stroll to the Port of Thames and marina where I’m told is another of NZ’s great Fish and chip shops.
From a year or so ago when the Thames Coromandel district council were banning freedom camping and were being taken to court by the NZ Motorcaravan Association, it is fantastic to see a win win outcome where now, the TCDC are now one of the most proactive and better councils in NZ for providing freedom camping and managing it as well as they do. There are now great parks all over the Coromandel peninsula and it’s fantastic to see them now being enjoyed by self contained Motorhomers from everywhere.

One more tried to sneak in ..
One more tried to sneak in ..

A fabulous park, thank you and well done Thames Coromandel District Council.

Northland

Whangarei Falls

On the way back from Matapouri, we almost stumbled on these falls in a well setup park on the Ngunguru road.
Very nice new toilets too if you’re looking for good loos.

Whangarei falls from the top
Whangarei falls from the top

We spent an hour or so wandering around what’s called the inner loop walk which takes you down an easy track to a huge cavern like area with the huge waterfalls falling into a big lake about 100 odd feet below.
There is a picnic table there and a nice area to take it all in.
Well worth a look and good exercise too 😎