This is one of those places that you’ll keep coming back to. It is just magic and there’s a ferry to Kawau too.
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Just Bliss
I arrived early in the afternoon and got myself setup in a corner spot but then realised that under some huge trees, there would be no TV signal.
First thing on the waterfrontLooking over towards the ferry wharf
It’s a fairly casual arrangement, “Park wherever you like except the waterfront spots which are booked for a whole bunch of Ozzies in their Britz vans”. I was only 10 steps away anyway so that was fine:-)
The Ozzies on the water
It was warm, there were people out kayaking in the camps free Kayaks and people out swimming.
The Ozzies catching upKayaking fun
I went for a walk across to the Sandpit Yacht club later for tea and sat out on the deck with a nice glass of chardonnay. Very civilised I thought but such a nice spot and the food was fantastic too.
At the Yacht club
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You can stay in this.
Close to the water
The Ozzies on the water
Snakes and Ladders
The Boardwalk across thye mangroves to the Yacht club.
At the Yacht club
First thing on the waterfront
Later it was time to head back for a shower in the fantastic newish ablutions block.
Some of the history
There used to be a whole bunch of pretend historic shops around the office area which all seem to have gone which is a shame.. one of the features of this camp but still a great spot to stay all the same.
It has been a wee while since we’ve been here at what used to be called Pinewoods. We used to come here quite often as it was close and a nice break away without driving too far. With the cost of diesel being what it is, I thought it was time for a visit!
The weather wasn’t perfect as a whole week of unsettled weather was due a few days away, but it was stinking hot.
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The new parking area looking out towards the beach.
I checked in at the office and found that the old parking area with the very clean and tidy but basically in a bachy style building was not the first-choice area. They’ve now got a new very swish new parking area in an area that used to be a paddock you walked through to get to the beach.
It is set out with a big wide concrete driveway in a half circle arrangement with concrete parking bays running off that. A neat setup as it doesn’t matter where you’re parked, there is an easy angle to back in.
This also comes with a swish new facilities block, a kitchen, along with several showers and toilets.
The entrance
The kids a play area has been souped up too with the addition of a flying fox and other gear too.
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Looking out from the creek to the beach.
The original camping area.
The entrance
Some of the old baches
Looking out to Orewa from the rocks
I always remembered this place for its big concrete table tennis table. Easily one of the best around.
The amazing table tennis table.
Once I had Rafe settled, I walked over the park for a look around. The bachs all dotted over the hill and as I understand it are still all managed by a collective board. At the top there is also the famous Jacobs Ladder which is a set of steps going down the cliff although there is a sign saying you shouldn’t go down due to the erosion on the cliff.
The original camping area.
Funny who you meet in strange places. After I took the photo of the new area and posted it on my own Facebook page, a friend Adele was saying what a nice motorhome her friend Gordon had in the foreground, so I went over to meet him. Having been the owner of several Dethleffs, I’m certain we’ve met before, but it was nice to meet him again.
The Beach
Back to the campground. Across the new campground is a locked bridge behind the surf club to cross the creek to the beach The creek surrounds the campground on three sides. It’s nice to be parked so close to the beach and not far from the big smoke for fuel!
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.
One of the things I’ve wanted to visit but either ran out of time or was too far away, is the amazing Pukekura Park.
Click on any Image to EnlargeIt was started in the late 1800’s and started as 54 Acres. It is now 128 acres, significantly bigger and is just beautiful. They also have an amazing nighttime display with Lighting which I’ve yet to see. One day soon.
The old band RotundaThrough the Ferns
I got a cab up from Fitzroy Motor camp and went for a walk through. There’s a neat Waterfall just as you get in by the lake, a Kiosk which sells everything next to the lake and an old Band Rotunda.
The Waterfall
I walked down around the lake to cross the old wooden bridge and back the other side. With Ferns everywhere you look, it’s a fantastic place to see. It is just stunning!
The FountainThe small electric Bus
There is a small electric bus which does the rounds for $5 if you don’t feel like walking.
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The entrance
The small electric Bus
The Fountain
The Waterfall
Looking back from the bridge
The Red Bridge
The lake with the old wooden bridge
As I walked out, I discovered another lake with a fountain in the middle of it next to another playground and skatepark. New Plymouth has it all!
The Kiosk
What impressed me most was the planting and the scale of it. Well worth the visit.
With one week to go until the Hospice Taranaki News Photo Auction, I set off to New Plymouth a bit early to have a nosey around the mountain. Mt Egmont.
Click on any Image to enlarge.As I got closer to Mokau, on the coast I thought I’d stop at the Seaview Holiday Park right on the beach which had views down to Mt Egmont.
Bright Colours!
It’s a typical west coast beach complete with Black Sand and the wild water. The ruggedness is what makes it though.
The Beach looking towards New Plymouth
I checked in and was given a park right behind the sandhill facing the beach but still protected from any wind that might come up. Great parking!
One of the many baches along the coast
It’s one of those real old original Kiwi family parks with nice bright colours on slightly older cabins.
One of the Ablution blocks
The ablution blocks are covered in murals… nicely done.
Looking through the campgroundRafe with the beach behindMt Egmont on the right
I went for a wander around the park and then along the beach. Lovely spot!
The weather was good, there was a beach only a few yards away and the town was only 10 minutes walk.
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Rafe at Raglan
We were looking to get out of the traffic but not too far away.. Raglan won the day. It has been a while since we were last here but it has an atmosphere all of its own. Very like Waiheke Island with some of the similar arty but down to earth shops.
Kids enjoying BadmintonOur neighbours from Hamilton and Tauranga enjoying the sun.
When my son Drew found out we were heading to Raglan, he said we had to go to Orca so I booked in online and its a magic spot. We went for lunch and the food was fantastic and it was very reasonable with a great view too.
The view out of the main streetThe Historic Raglan Pub
After lunch we headed back to Rafe at the Raglan Holiday Park and then later onto the beach.
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Sundown
The Hamilton family on the beach
The view out of the main street
In the centre of town
The Historic Raglan Pub
There was a family from Hamilton with their youngest doing hand stands and flips on the sand while they enjoyed a glass of wine and watched the sun go down. Just magic.
Amazing Sunset
We were looking forward to the next day, Watching the rugby and then checking out the town.
Click on any Image to Enlarge I hadn’t booked or anything and just rocked up and as I checked in, there was something vaguely familiar about the nice lady checking me in.
After I gave her my name, she looked at me strangely and and said, “I went to school with you at Takapuna Grammar School”, the penny dropped and everything fell into place. Jane was also was at school with Fiona at Vauxhall Primary School.. amazing memory. We spent the next hour or so going though all the common friends that we have and strangely enough, have managed to keep in touch with.
Jane’s partner Steve is the caretaker and they have an amazing old Devonport Ferries red bus, a real slice of history.
Jane with her and Steve’s ex Devonport Ferries Bus
Paeroa RV Centre has changed over the years and now house s a lot of permanent people in bigger vehicles and they’ve developed a real community there. I found all of them very welcoming and very friendly and with the less than friendly winter weather that we’ve had lately, its a great spot to get comfortable.
Some of the appendages to their parks .. think decks and little garden areas are amazing. I very definitely felt very undecorated and certainly not anywhere in the hunt for a prize for my park 🙂 I did have some moss and a neighbour pots nearby though 🙂
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I don’t think I’ll win any garden competition here 🙂
Ex Concrete Mixer barrel as a garden ornament.
Having met Steve and Jane, they talked me into staying a second night and I spent the next day walking into Paeroa, getting a haircut and buying some costume jewelry for Fiona.
Downtown Paeroa There’s a plastic bottle now !
A fantastic place to stay, great people and I was really pleased to catch up with Jane again and meet Steve.
And this meant Rotorua.. one of our favourite places in winter.
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Amazing covered walkways to get to the Ablutions
We left early on Friday morning to try and beat some of the motorway traffic and it worked. By 9am we were in Pokeno topping up with some tax free fuel 🙂
Check out the walkways
We arrived at Rotorua about midday and had a quick look around but finally checking into Rotorua Thermal Holiday park down by Whakarewarewa.
We were allocated a spot on one side not too far from everything.
We settled the van, plugged in, opened some hatches and after a cup of tea, headed off for the first of many swims in the pool. Its amazing who you get to meet in a hot pool.
A Café but it was closed
The next morning we got an Uber into the Rotorua big barn shopping area. The Noel Leeming’s, Briscoes and had a nosey around, headed off to Fiona’s favourite find of the weekend, an authentic French café and its lovely. I had a Crepe with bacon and eggs and it was every bit as the good as the one I remember when we were in Arras, France.
Fiona found this french cafeThe Crepe from heaven
After that it was time to walk off the lunch so we set off down to the lake front where they have recently finished a huge redevelopment of the foreshore. There is still more to come looking at the fenced off areas but what a big improvement. People everywhere so its good to see it being enjoyed by lots of young families.
The development on the waterfrontThe Lincoln and other cars at Eat St.
We walked on towards Eat st and in there was a local Hot Rod / American Car display all down the middle of it. Some great old cars.. my favourite was an old Lincoln.
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With the covered walkway
Caravans too
Nice cabins
The pools
Fiona found this french cafe
Fiona at the cafe and things French
Kids playground
Our walk in town
The development on the waterfront
As we headed back into the city, I managed to find a bus going right past the camp so we hopped on that and headed back to Rafe and then back to the pools.
The pools
There are four pools, one for families and 3 other smaller pools.. Not too hot so we literally spent hours in there off and on. What its all about!
The facilities are amazing, free showers, big kitchen area divided into sections so it can cater for several using it at once. Nice big lounge and huge dining room all connected..
The famous bridge where the kids used to dive for coins.Whakarewarewa
And right over the road is Whakarewarewa and Te Puia which is always worth a visit.
Rafe’s tracker map to Rotorua Thermal Park – Armada GPS
We had not long returned from a trip around the South Island where we got a crack in the windscreen, courtesy of an oncoming truck speeding through roadworks. Our 8 year old Habitation door fly screen also lost its string too so after fixing these up, we were ready to go again or at least I was.
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It doesn’t often look like this.. early in the day.
As Fiona was working, she suggested I go away for a few days so with the forecast looking not that flash, I thought Miranda wasn’t too far to go and with the hot pools, was the perfect place to be.
The weather was fantastic for the first of my three night stay and showery for the rest of the time so it was a case of dodging the showers from Rafe to the pool 🙂
I don’t think I’ve every seen the camp ground this quiet and this empty but this was my first midweek visit so hardly surprising but by the end of each day, the place seemed to fill up nicely.
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Outdoor eating area.
The camp has grown to now be more than 90 odd powered sites with BIG parks out the back and more doggy sites too. The dog sites is a great idea and is perfect for those who want to let their pets outside while keeping them close.
A doggy site.The new Ablutions block out the back
The new nearby ablutions block looks the business too and with some of the trees out by the road gone, there is more room for walks and bike riding.
The new Children’s pool.
Its a great go to place for those who don’t want to travel too far and have and easy few days away.
Its a wee bit off the beaten track but being here is just magic. The weather was perfect too.
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Bream Head in the distance
It was the middle of the week and with Fiona at work, I thought somewhere nice in the sun would be nice. I last came here several years ago and post Covid, the only real thing that has changed is the trees have grown but I gather there are some big changes coming.
Chatting to one of the managers, they have a massive amount of unpowered sites which people don’t seem to want as much so they are powering a large bunch of them up. Some of the cabins are apparently well past their use by date but they seemed ok to me.
Great view from these Caravans
The camp is dominated a bit by long term Caravans but there is plenty of room for Motorhomes and more with the new powered upgrades to sites.
Some tenters popped in.The view from one of the Units
The kitchen and lounge facilities are really good and there are several ablutions blocks.
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Some tenters popped in.
The feature though is that amazing beach.
I went out there not long after I arrived and the sense of peace and quiet is just amazing. I sat out there for an hour or so before heading back as I’d forgotten to take a hat but its just beautiful.
I did the same the next day with a hat 🙂 and its glorious.
Looking back to the camp from the beach
The nights were starting to get colder so there was only me and a couple of others in the campground so there was room for Africa. I bet it gets busy in the summer though.
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