Tag Archives: History

The 2026 Dethleffs Get Together – Part 2

March 4, 2026 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com Leave a comment

We were into the last full day of catching up with everyone, and it kicked off with a visit at the far end of the carpark from the Ulysses Motorcycle Club, who arrived with a line-up of amazing motorbikes.

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They were a big attraction, and after plenty of admiring and chatting, about six energetic souls headed off on their push bikes to explore the area properly.

After that, there was the usual relaxed carpark catch-up session. Fiona headed into town for a walk while I wandered into the Coach House Museum again. It really is very well done, with some fascinating displays. There’s even a buggy you can sit in and “travel” around the city via a large TV screen. It is much better than it sounds!

The blacksmith’s shop was another highlight, with a whole series of live machines that start up at the push of a button to demonstrate how parts of a coach wheel were made. Very clever, and great to see it all working.

On the way out, I had a lovely chat with a couple at reception who were also Army people. He had previously been a Beefeater in the UK and was an incredible source of information about military medals. I could have stood there talking for ages.

Later in the afternoon, we regrouped for our daily debrief before heading into town together for dinner at Murray’s Irish Bar. The food was fantastic and very reasonably priced, and there were quite a few keen to properly test the Guinness! It was a great night, and a bit later than planned we all wandered back to the museum under the evening sky.

A great day in a neat little town.

The next morning, we gathered one last time for a farewell coffee before everyone headed off in different directions. It had been a wonderful catch-up, with lots of familiar faces and plenty of laughs. Well done to Richard and Carol for organising such a well-run event in a terrific location.

Fiona and I headed towards Marton to pick up SH1 and travel north via Taihape. Just before midday, we pulled into our favourite café in Taihape — and who should arrive but our next-door neighbours from Devonport. A complete surprise. We enjoyed an easy lunch and coffee together before getting ready to move on.

As we were leaving, I thought I heard my name. Sure enough, it was Peter and Charmaine, who had been parked right beside us at the event. Peter had heard that SH1 north was closed due to a serious accident, so suddenly our tidy travel plans were up in the air.

Fiona went for a wander around Taihape while we went back into the café to figure out our options. In the end, we decided to head just up the road to the Taihape Golf Club and stay the night, then reassess in the morning.

We’d only just parked up, opened a few vents, and poured the coffee when Peter heard that the road north had reopened. So, off we went again! By then it was about 3pm, but we still had enough time to make it to Taupō, where we stayed at the Taupo Racecourse.

Our first visit to the Taupo NZMCA park at the Racecourse

I was slightly disappointed we didn’t get to stay at the golf course after all, but it was nice to be on the homeward stretch, and we got to have our first night in Taupo Racecourse. All in all, a fabulous weekend.

Thanks again to Richard and Carol for putting together such a great event

Rallies, Wairarapa 26

Cruising to the 2026 Dethleffs Get Together

March 3, 2026 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 4 Comments

I was really looking forward to this one. After about five years of being chief bottle washer organising these events, it was nice to simply turn up and enjoy it. Richard and Carol were now in charge, and they had a reputation for being well organised having run a few of these before, so I knew we were in good hands.

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We stopped in at Turangi on the way down and parked up in the corner. The sun was shining, and we were already starting to slip into party mode.

The next morning, after topping up with diesel, we headed down the Desert Road towards Waiouru.

Being from a staunch Army family, you can’t drive through Waiouru without popping into the National Army Museum Te Mata Toa and café. I always love the signs along the Desert Road: “If your kids are giving you trouble, drop them off here” and “Stop for Rations.” Very clever.

A bit further down the road we stopped at Hunterville. What an amazing little town. There’s been a fantastic community effort to help the local publican rebuild the Argyle Hotel on the corner. Spare bedrooms have been converted into boutique retail shops, each accessed from a new verandah facing SH1. What a brilliant way to regenerate business and bring life back into the building. We also heard it’s soon to be set up as a Park Over Property for motorhomes.

After coffee and cake, we were back on the road towards Feilding, arriving at our park by the Coach House Museum just after 2pm. Richard and Carol were there, along with several other Dethleffs motorhomers we knew. It was shaping up to be a fun few days.

The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up, and later we all sat in the sun with a few drinks in hand and plenty of laughs. Richard and Carol had everything sorted: name tags, brochures, and lots of information about things to see and do in the area.

Watching these drivers back these trailers in was something else..

Top of the list was visiting the museum, only a few steps away and we also discovered the Feilding stock sales were happening just over the road.

Click on the Gallery below to see an enlarged Slideshow

Cambridge

Hunterville

Saleyards in Fielding

Fielding Square

At The Market

Saleyards Auction

The next morning, we wandered across to the saleyards. They were huge. I was seriously impressed by the skill of the stock truck drivers backing their big truck-and-trailer units into tight spots in one smooth move without blinking.

With the sales due to start in about an hour, we headed into the market in the square. After bumping into Brendon and Helen from our group, we decided to try a well-recommended café called the The Rosebowl Cafe just off the square. With so many options, we certainly weren’t going hungry. We met a few more from our group there, then all wandered back towards the saleyards together.

What an amazing operation. With so many animals involved, it could easily be a logistical nightmare but it ran like a well-oiled machine. Watching and listening to the auctioneers and their assistants was fascinating as the sales rolled along.

After an hour or so, we drifted back to the museum and our motorhomes.

At 4pm, we gathered in a room at the end of the museum for a glass of something and a debrief of the day’s adventures.

A fantastic day in Feilding and a great start to what was shaping up to be a memorable get-together.

Rafe’s tracker map to the Coach House Museum – Armada GPS

Close to home, Waikato

Lovely Parkland Parking in Waiuku

June 12, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

I was on a bit of a mission. I needed to get some leaky taps replaced out at Zion Motorhomes, and I had to be in Pokeno by 8am on a Tuesday. Anyone who knows me knows… I’m not a morning person! ?

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Solution? I’d been wanting to check out the Waiuku Cossie Club’s motorhome parking and explore the township properly, so this was the perfect excuse.

I left Devonport around lunchtime on Monday and cruised down the Southern Motorway. Traffic was light, and I found myself in Waiuku early in the afternoon.

On the edge of the carpark, in his motorhome, was my neighbour Wizard, doing a few running repairs on his newish Roller Team. He’s a full-timer and a real character.

The setup here is great. There are three blocks of power boards with around eight sockets each. One quirk: when you pay your $25 with power, you also leave a deposit for a key to the power boards so you can switch your socket on.

After I’d paid, I found a spot near Wizard. He was plugged into a board nearby and kindly used his key to power up a socket for me, a great neighbour to have!

Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow of Waiuku

Lovely Parking

The Historic Church in town

Downtown Waiuku

The Kentish Hotel

The park opoosite the Kentish Hotel looking out towards Glenbrook Steel Mill.

History everywhere

Loveley outlook

I’d driven through Waiuku quite a few times before, but only stopped briefly, so it was nice to have time for a proper wander. There’s a real charm to the place with plenty of older houses being lovingly restored and a tidy, vibrant main street.

The club’s motorhome park is tucked beside a lake, with a walk bridge that takes you straight into town in about 10 minutes. It’s a lovely, quiet spot. If you’re a member of the Clubs NZ network, you can also enjoy meals and drinks at the club, another bonus.

The park opposite the Kentish Hotel looking out towards Glenbrook Steel Mill.

All up, a great place to park up, unwind, and enjoy a charming little town.

Rafe’s tracker map to Waiuku
– Armada GPS

Wairarapa 25

Parked in Parkland at Masterton

May 11, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 4 Comments

On previous trips to Masterton, I’d always struggled to find decent parking for 8m Rafe anywhere near the main shopping area or even close. It was a real treat to discover there’s now a new NZMCA park that solves all that!

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This was our first visit to the relatively new Masterton NZMCA Park, and it’s an absolute cracker. There’s a raised walking track built on a bund beside the river that leads to a swing bridge and right into a park that’s basically in the heart of town. It’s an easy 15-minute stroll into central Masterton.

The park itself is well set up with a dump station, fresh water, and huge parking bays. It has to be one of the best we’ve stayed at.

The next day, we wandered along the river into the park for a look around. My two-year-old grandson has recently developed a big fascination with trains, and sure enough there was a ride-on, small-scale diesel train doing loops through the gardens. I couldn’t resist grabbing a quick video to send to him. He’ll love it!

Looking along the river from the swing bridge.

After that, we explored the local museum, which is actually part of a wool shop complex. Tucked in alongside it is the Fire Museum, which turned out to be a real gem. Some of the displays were created by Peter Jackson’s crew, which added a bit of cinematic magic to the experience.

Click on the Gallery below to see more Images of Masterton

The ride on train

Looking along the river towards the suspension bridge.

Horse drawn Fire Appliance

In the wool display

Shearers in the Wool area.

Masterton

Right next door was a lovely little café, perfect for a relaxed lunch, and then straight next door again was the supermarket, so we stocked up the pantry too. Everything was super convenient.

We both found ourselves wondering whether we should just stay an extra night, but the wine trails of Martinborough and the boutique shops in Greytown were calling… so it was time to keep moving.

Rafe’s tracker map to Masterton – Armada GPS

Waikato

Under the Mountain

February 18, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 2 Comments

With Fiona finishing up work, she was ready for a bit of adventure. She made the drive down from Auckland, and we planned to meet at the Te Aroha NZMCA park, our base for the visit.

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Te Aroha is a lovely little town with plenty to explore. After a well-earned cup of tea to shake off the drive, Fiona was keen for a trip to Matamata, one of our usual café spots, just an easy 20-odd kilometers away. A relaxed lunch, a good cuppa, and a wander through town made for a great start to our time together.

Back in Te Aroha, I was keen to check out the local museum, given my work with historic images. The Te Aroha Museum, housed in the town’s old bathhouse, is a fascinating place. The former spa rooms now hold a well-curated collection, and the museum’s video gives a great insight into the area’s history. It’s an easy stroll from the NZMCA park and definitely worth a visit.

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The NZMCA park

Te Aroha Mountain behind

The main road bridge into Te Aroha

The Museum

There’s something special about walking into town across the old railway line, a reminder of Te Aroha’s past.

And with the NZMCA park now offering a double-sided dump station and fresh water, life on the road here is about as convenient as it gets!

Rafe’s tracker map to Te Aroha NZMCA – Armada GPS

Northland

Stopping in at Dargaville

January 30, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

At the top of the Kaipara Harbour, Dargaville is one of those magic little towns and with the river on two sides, the NZMCA park here is one of the best. The park is literally a hop, skip and a jump to the township.

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Park on the right bank, town on the left.

I first visited years ago, not long after the park opened, and it has remained a favourite ever since. What makes this park so unique are the beautiful old historic buildings on-site. They were used to construct Shackleton’s boats for his Antarctic expeditions. It’s incredible that the NZMCA has been able to preserve and make use of them. The local NZMCA team has done a fantastic job restoring one of the buildings, even replacing the mezzanine floor that had seen better days. It’s looking amazing now!

Just over the bridge is the heart of Dargaville itself, an easy five-minute walk away.

Looking through the town, just 5 minutes walk away.

One of the highlights of this park is the seat overlooking the river at the far end of the property. Sitting there, gazing out at the water and the Dargaville Bridge in the distance, you can’t help but feel a sense of calm. It’s the perfect spot to zone out and soak it all in.

As you walk back from this magic perch, you’ll pass a transformed area that used to be bush and trees but is now a stunning garden. It’s a delight to wander through, complete with a dinghy and a weather monitor adding quirky charm to the space.

The Dargaville Museum, just a short drive up the road, is another must-see. It’s one of the best in the region, offering fascinating insights into local history. While you’re there, you’ll also find a conveniently located dump station.

Click on the link below for an Enlarged Slideshow

Great spot to Clear the head.

The local

From the road

Weather Monitor

The “Shackleton Buildings”

Dargaville is a fantastic little town, and it’s always a treat to come back and see how things have evolved. The upgrades to the NZMCA park are a bonus, but the town’s timeless charm remains its greatest draw.

Rafe’s tracker map to Dargaville – Armada GPS

Coromandel 2025, Waikato

The Lure of the Trains

January 21, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 3 Comments

Since I was a wee boy, I’ve always had a fascination with trains. That fascination only grew when it involved history—and now, motorhomes. There’s something about the old charm of locomotives and the stories they carry that pulls me in every time.

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After a relaxing stay at River Glen, we spent another night at a bustling Whitianga park and enjoyed a day exploring the town before heading off to the Waihi Beach NZMCA park. Unsurprisingly, it was also packed with holidaymakers making the most of the sunny weather.

One of the highlights of our stop at Waihi Beach was catching up with old family friends, Lee and Ian. We’ve known them for years, and it was wonderful to see them again. They were in great form, and it’s always a pleasure to reminisce and share stories over a cuppa. After a quiet, easy night at the park, we set off the next morning for something special, a visit to the Goldfields Railway Station in Waihi.

The Goldfields train is a real gem. You can also stay in your Motorhome there with Power and Toilets. It runs regularly from Waihi Station to Waikino, with a stop at the charming Station Cafe. We timed our arrival perfectly, getting there around 10 a.m., just in time to catch the train for a scenic ride to Waikino.

This wasn’t our first time on this lovely little train. Not long ago, we brought our grandsons, Ayden and Liam, along for the ride, and they had an absolute blast. They waved at all the passing cars, thrilled every time they got a friendly toot in return. It’s the kind of simple joy that makes experiences like this so memorable.

Once we arrived at Waikino, we headed straight to the Station Cafe for lunch. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere made it even better. Sitting there, soaking in the history of the place and watching the trains come and go, it felt like stepping back in time.

Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow

The Taniwha on the side of the line.

Waikino Station

All aboard

Traffic below

After our leisurely lunch, it was time to hop back on the train for the return journey to Waihi Station. The ride back was just as enjoyable, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks.

The Goldfields Railway folks have done a fantastic job over the years, not only maintaining the railway and its vintage charm but also streamlining the whole experience. From booking tickets to the overall park setup, everything was smooth and efficient. It’s great value for what you get—a slice of history, a scenic ride, and a memorable day out.

For me, this trip was a perfect blend of nostalgia and adventure. There’s something magical about trains that never seems to fade. Whether it’s the sound of the whistle, the steady chug of the engine, or the simple joy of waving at passing cars, it always brings out the kid in me. I’m already looking forward to our next railway adventure!

Rafe’s tracker map to Goldfield Railway – Armada GPS

Coromandel 2025, Waikato

Magic Coromandel

January 6, 2025 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

The morning after Christmas, we hit the road bound for Coromandel Town. Despite being Boxing Day, the traffic was surprisingly light, making the drive smooth and easy. We stopped at Kopu for some diesel before continuing up the coast toward our destination.

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The NZMCA park at Coromandel when we arrived.

Arriving late in the morning, we checked into the NZMCA park, got the jug boiling for a much-needed coffee, and opened the vents. With the air conditioning finally off, it was great to let some fresh air flow through, perfect for the warm day ahead.

Our favourite spot in the Town. The Star and Garter.

Hungry from the drive, we headed into town in search of lunch. Being a public holiday, many places were closed, but we lucked out with a fantastic little Turkish spot serving mouthwatering chicken wraps. A great find!

After lunch, we made our way to one of our favorite spots, the Star and Garter Bar for a refreshing drink. From there, we wandered down to the Four-Square supermarket for a few essentials and then strolled over to the marina to admire the boats.

There’s something special about Coromandel. Even though we’ve visited many times before, it never loses its charm. With its unique atmosphere and welcoming vibe, it’s always a pleasure to spend a few days here.

A bit of traffic downtown but nothing to get concerned about 🙂

Over the years, we’ve sampled several of the local cafés and bars, and they’ve all been top-notch. This visit was no exception.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

Looking down the road towards the wharf.

A Mural on the side of one of the shops

The Marina

After a leisurely afternoon of exploring and soaking up the laid-back vibe, we returned to the truck to escape the heat and enjoy some well-earned chill time. Nothing beats relaxing in Coromandel.

Rafe’s tracker map to Coromandel – Armada GPS

Bay of Islands, Northland

The Paihia Blues and Jazz Festival

August 14, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

Fiona and I came to one of the first of these about 9 years ago, not long after we first got our Motorhome. It was held at the Falls Camping ground which was then owned by Jan Molloy and partner who along with others helped get the festival under way. I remember the band that was there then was Kantuta along with some others.
Jan and her partner later sold that and set up the Bay of Islands Campervan Park which they still own.

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This year I called Jan who and she was able to squeeze us in for a couple of nights. We’ve been here before, and it is so handy. They’ve had quite a bit of rain this year so the parks were a bit on the damp side so we had to be mindful of parking so we could get out easily.

It is such a great location as you can walk pretty much everywhere and there was a Coach doing a regular circuit of the venues so you could see all the bands playing.

We arrived half through the Friday on a lovely fine day with the odd shower and settled in. There is a Countdown supermarket right opposite, so Fiona went over to get some last-minute provisions.

The next day, we were up early and walked to Jazz HQ which was about a 25-minute walk at the Scenic hotel in Paihia. On the way along the waterfront, we passed a band playing on the footpath outside the shops with several people dancing and getting into the swing of the festival.

After getting our day ticket at the Hotel, we sat down to enjoy some of the music by a really good Napier Blues band called DejaBlue. Fantastic sound and we were able to get a really nice Seafood Chowder for lunch. They were followed by The Nairobi Trio who were really entertaining and again, some great sounds.

Here are some more Images from the Festival

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The Street Band on the way

Nairobi Trio

Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie

Walking towards Paihia

Looking out twards Russell

It was early afternoon then when we decided to head to the Paihia Club where we heard a couple of bands, one of them from Taranaki who were really good. Courtnay and the Unholy Reverie!!….

They played a Led Zeppelin song and several of their own. Fantastic sound washed down by a G&T and the acoustics there were good too.

After a couple of hours, we wandered on to the Paihia Sports bar and then caught the coach to the Twin Pines Manor at Haruru Falls, where we saw another good band, Herbie and the Heartbreakers!

About 6pm the bus arrived, and we decided to call it quits and head back to the Campground while the bus was there.

A great fun day out and lucky with the weather being able to walk to almost everywhere.

Rafe’s tracker map to Paihia – Armada GPS

Waikato

Matariki in Raglan

July 7, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

There is something different about Raglan. It has an atmosphere all of its own and sitting on the balcony of the Pub in the main street with a glass of wine, even though it was freezing, I was just enjoying soaking it up. 🙂

Click on any Image to Enlarge

We left Auckland well after everyone else on the Saturday and arrived in Whatawata just in time for lunch. As I parked Rafe out of the street, I was just getting out of the truck when I met Hilary and Lyn who we last saw at a Dethleffs do at Miranda. They live just around the corner from the Cafe and it was nice to see them again.

After a cup of tea with them and some nibbles, we set off towards Raglan.

Due to the economic downturn and a cold winter, Raglan have been doing a pay for two nights, get a third night for free so we jumped into that with both feet 🙂

The Three Dethleffs, Us, The Grand Alpa and the Pulse.

Arriving in Raglan, we found we were parked right next to one of the biggest Dethleffs on the market and the newest, one of the XLI Grand Alpas with the rear Lounge. Our Globe 4 being one of the oldest Dethleffs in NZ, it was a bit of the old with the young 🙂 There was also a Dethleffs Pulse on the other side. 🙂

That afternoon, we decided to head into the town to check things out.

Click on the Gallery below to enlarge

Action in the street

Mt view of the world from the pub balcony 🙂

A neat second hand shop on the way to the wharf.

The wharf with the Silos you can stay in.

Boats comng back in

Looking towards the Campground from the walkway from town.

Walkers on the beach

After lunch, Fiona had a look around the shops and I went and had a glass of Chardonnay on the balcony overlooking the street and watched the world go by.

Looking out from a Restaurant we had Lunch towards the Sea.

The next day we had lunch at a Restaurant overlooking the water and then walked around to the wharf. There is a neat fish and chip shop there along with a Leatherworks, a Pottery Gallery which we’ve bought some things from before and are very good.

Walking towards the wharf. The Silos peering over the top.

The Museum is well setup there and has a souvenir shop inside and it is well worth a visit. Lots of interesting images of how Raglan used to be.

Lovely on the beach despite the lack of sunshine.

A fantastic three days in a neat spot. The weather closed in a bit on the last day so my trip to the beach looking for some images of blue sky didn’t quite pan out.

It was very pleasant down there sitting on a log for half an hour or so watching the sun go down.

Rafe’s tracker map to Raglan – Armada GPS

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 Cruising to the 2026 Dethleffs…
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	Warmenhj on Cruising to the 2026 Dethleffs…
	Warmenhj 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.