Pinders Pond would have to be one of the most beautiful parking spots in Central Otago. Its also free and is an easy 5k’s to Roxburgh by the most amazing bike trail right next to the Clutha river.
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Lots of space
After leaving the Gold Cottages campsite and saying goodbye to Lloyd and Kate, we headed down the road about 6k’s to Pinders Pond.
Is that a reflection ?
When we arrived, were a few Motorhomes and two Caravans there so we just plonked ourselves on the grass and had lunch.
Close to the bike trail
About an hour later, the place literally cleaned out and the Motorhomes all left and we moved back to a flatter spot closer to the Caravans.
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Lots of space
Clutha river from the Trail
On the way to Roxburgh
Fiona nearly at Roxburgh
Great parking
Pinders Pond
There is a bike trail which goes right up to the Roxburgh bridge and beyond one way and I think it goes to Millers Flat and beyond the other way. It is very easy riding and we were off. It took us about 20 minutes or so to get to Roxburgh so we celebrated with a cup of coffee in one of the cafe’s there before riding back.
Fiona nearly at RoxburghRoxburgh bridge
A lovely spot. Thanks to several people for recommending it.
As I had driven past a few Fruit and Vege stalls as we came into Roxburgh, I could tell Fiona was getting edgy and one finally came with plenty of parking and warning 😀. As I drove slighly past it to get to let traffic past so I could reverse and drive in, another Motorhome came in behind me so after waiting for them to park, I drove in next to them.
Fiona recognised the them as old friends and there was an immediate reunion in the fruit stall carpark 😎
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We made arrangements to meet in town later at the Gold Cottage Campground across the river.
Nice!
The camp is run by a lovely lady who has had it for 7 years but is making huge changes to it. The grounds, the amenities and the parks are absolutely top notch and all for $30 for two on a powered site.
A sluicing lake behind the park.Pipe seats
There are also tracks out the back of the grounds which take you to Roxbough and lots of historical bits from the Gold mining days around with some great explanation boards.
Very easy and comfortable and it is all beautifully terraced so its easy to get a level parking spot.
A relic of the area.At the campground
Lloyd and Kate arrived later on and we enjoyed several hours of fun with a few drinks.
Rafe with Lloyd and Kates Carado next to us
Lloyd was a bit of legend with the whitebait and cooked up some fritters that were sensational. It was a great night. They’re great fun and I’m sure we’ll catch up again soon.
Some of the Gold CottagesPlayground
They’re currently living and working up past Wanaka and having a ball with their new Carado Motorhome.
Just after arriving in Lawrence, we found the motorcamp was closed frm April until November! Its just as well there are other options in Lawrence 🙂 .
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At the Scout Den. With Mary beside us.
Over an old bridge from the main road and on the left is the Lawrence Scout Den. It has a nice big hard flat lawn in front of it with room for a few. When we arrived there was one other in there so we lined up with plenty of space and settled rafe down for the night.
The park setup
I had a quick look around the area and next to where were parked was a display of old Gold mining equipment and it looked great. A small picnic table surrounded with all things Gold and its history from the area. Neat. Fiona went for a walk into town which was just over the bridge and had a wee nosey around too.
I went over to the box to pay the $6 donation and there in the book was Mary’s name from NZ Motorhome Friends. I went over and knocked on her door and invited her over for a cup of tea.
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The check in box
Over the road beside the footpath
Scout Den
Some of the display beside us
I’ve seen a lot of her pictures and comments on facebook so it was nice to finally meet her. Mary is from Hamilton but is cruising around NZ and doing in style in her Swift Motorhome.
We had an early night after that and in the morning drove into Lawrence to have a bit of look around.
Contrast of buildingsA traffic jam in Lawrence 🙂
There are some amazing old buildings here and like most other Central Otago towns are making the most of their history and it looks great.
We were heading for Tuatapere and then onto Clifden Suspension Bridge. Apparently it is the longest wooden suspension bridge in NZ and was built late last century.
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The Bridge
The river had a lot more water going down then before the Manapouri Power system chopped back the flow of water. It is also a free overnight spot provided by Southland Council.
The largest Wooden Suspension bridge in NZ
We spent an hour or so having a good look around here. A lovely spot.
The Free Overnight parking area.
Nice spot but next we were heading to a place Fiona’s grandparents spent some time at Otautau which had an interesting overnight parking place on the side of the towns football field.
On the side of the footie field.
Its a neat spot and comes with power, inludes hot showers, washings facilities and a small kitchen with two ovens. It $10pp plus $5 for power.
Fiona hanging out the washing.
A neat spot not far from the centre of town and run by some people who live not far from the park who were very helpful.
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Clifden Suspension bridge
Looking down to the river
Walking back to Rafe from the bridge.
The ablution block at Otautau
Rafe plugged in and comfy
Anyone for a seesaw
Fiona decided she’d wash our linen and as she entered the kitchen/washouse found that someone had left one of the Ovens on! No damage done but who knows how long that had been left on.. thinking power bills
Looking out at footie field.
Great spot and we’re planning to check out the local museum tomorrow and head for the Catlins.
One of the things I wanted to do when we got to Invercargill was go to Bill Richardson’s amazing truck Museum. We settled for the Coachmans Inn which is just down the road from the Museum and was $34 a night for two. The receptionist was ex Auckland and we had a great old chat about things Auckland and other things.
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The Coachmans Inn Motorhome Area
Its has a whole bunch of powered sites behind the Hotel surrounding the amenities block which while it was nice and clean, it did seem a little tired.
Amazing new building
We had a lie in with the sun coming in the windows and eventually walked down the road to the Museum. Fiona was walking into the city, another 1k down the road and was going to walk back and meet me in the cafe.
The Texaco TankerEarly Fords
The Museum is a fantastic place. From first walking in, there is an amazing Texaco Tanker. I forgot to look at the details of what it was but what a mean looking machine. Then onto the early Fords.
Later Fords
It seemed like there was every single model of Ford from 1904 onwards into the 40’s and 50’s.
British Beddy
Every model of truck you could imagine and there were some early lawnmowers too. There was an interesting collection of tools for service stations and I was really interested to see an early tyre changing device.
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One of the old Fords
A 36 Roadstar V8
A dennis
Henry Ford and some Bowsers
Ye olde Ford
Ford Trucks
A Hybrid Volvo Electric/Diesel
Lots of Trucks
An old Lawnmower
These single cylinder Tractors were hugely popular in Germany. Bought out by John Deere.
A Shell Bowser and a Tyre Pressure repair station behind
Houghtons Oils
A GM 1-71
I worked in a service station in Glenfield when I was a teenager and had to use one of these beasts. Swinging on the end of a tyre lever with grease. Lots of fun. It brought back some old memories.
A Tyre Changer
Petrol Bowsers, Oils and some motors along with a GM 671 setup as a generator and a 171 too.
A Gm 671 set up as a Generator
My old boat Rorqual had a GM Turbocharged 671 in it so I was interested to see it setup as a generator and normally aspirated too. In all the *71 series motors, all the pistons, conrods and bearings, valves etc are the same so easy for parts.
A Bean!
Fiona rang and said that just about everything was shut (saturday afternoon) and she was heading back. I was just about finished so I headed for the Cafe where a few minutes later, Fiona wandered in.
Fiona in the café done up as a 50’s Kitchen. “That’s the oven we had in Waiouru”!
An amazing place and a must see if you’re in Invercargill.
After saying goodbye to Jessa, we had an appointment at the local Fiat dealer in Queenstown to plug in to Rafe’s computer and reset the Service reminders that had been driving me nuts since Greymouth !
Queenstown with Jacks Point on the right
Central Otago Motor Group are just along the road from where we were staying and they were so obliging and helpful with the southern hospitality, I was completely bowled over. John the Service Manager, was the man in charge of the electronic tools and while I was waiting for him, the service receptionist came out and offered me a Muffin. Apparently someone was leaving. Unbelievable welcome!
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John was fantastic and within a few minutes of plugging in, the messages had gone away. If you want something done and you have a Fiat based Motorhome and you’re in their area.. don’t go anywhere else 🙂
Fairlight Railway Station
After that, with a big smile on my face, we were off towards Invercargill alongside Lake Wakatipu. I don’t think I’ve ever driven down this road but its awesome. We stopped along the way to get have a cup of coffee and get some piccies of Queenstown.
Rafe looking for Adventure
After stopping at the famous Fairlight Station, we next stopped at Lumsden where they have a huge restoration project happening to restore what they call the Lumsden Railway Precinct Project along with a carriage and some other rolling stock. It looks great. About 30 local businesses and volunteers have come together to make this happen.
Lumsden Railway StationInside the carriage
There is also an old gaol with the original stocks outside with a couple of signs on it. They both refer to Dogs and people not picking up after them so I’m assuming that’s what happens if you don’t 🙂
Where you end up if you don’t pick up your Doggie do’s 🙂
There is also a very easy to use dump station and water there if you’re looking for one.
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On the road down Wakatipu
Queenstown
Fiona checking out the Fairlight Railway Station
Dave painting the outside of the carriage.
A gift Shop at the railway Station
A Train at the Station
It looks like a progressive wee town and the Railway Precinct is definitely going to make a difference when its finished.
The fire was blazing, the bar looked fantastic and owners Paulette and Mark couldn’t have been more welcoming. I ordered a Chardonnay and paid the $10 for Rafe’s park with power and we had a look around this amazing pub in Ross.
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Fiona with the fireThe Bar. Amazing working cash register
Paulette informed us that as it was Sunday, they had 30 odd people coming for tea and that we should join in. For $20 each for Roast Pork or Beef and $5 for Pavlova and Steamed Pudding, it was a no brainer and we wanted to be at the front of the queue 🙂
The Empire
We went for a walk up the street and checked out the Gold Mining area. It is all really well set out and well signposted with explanations of what happened during the late 1800’s with lots of photos and some of the original buildings still there.
The Museum up the road
Unfortunately we missed the Museum and seeing a replica of the biggest Nugget found there but we got to see Raymond the friendly Goat over the road from the Empire along with a lots of historical bits and bobs.
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Up in the Historic Gold area
The original Gaol
One of the waterwheels
One of the old cottages with the Museum on the left.
Looking back down the main road to the Empire
Some of the Trinkets on the fireplace
The Bar. Amazing working cash register
Everybodies friend Raymond opposite the Empire
When I went for a haircut in Greymouth, the lady absolutely raved about the food at the Empire Hotel when she heard we were going there, so the word is out. The food is fantastic!
Rafe parked at the Empire
We thought about staying another night as it was so good but decided we’d move on to Franz Josef and continue on towards the Haast while the weather was good.
We couldn’t leave Greymouth without going down to the Breakwater to check out the entrance to the port. I’ve see pictures of some of the fishing boats coming in over the bar and it is not for the faint hearted. These guys are amazing with this harbour.
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People collecting Driftwood down by the Greymouth Breakwater
Today the water was very settled and there were a few people out gathering driftwood with the Mountains behind bathed in sunshine. You could tell from the water how ugly it could be though on a bad day.
Looking back to Greymouth from the BreakwaterLooking back at Greymouth
As we travelled south, we had to stop at the Mahinapua Hotel and get some piccies there before checking out the Lake.
Looking back at the Mountains in the sunshine over Lake Mahinapua
There is a Doc park right opposite the Hotel where you can stay which has a kitchen and toilets right next to the lake. Its a lovely spot.
The Coal Trolley in front of the Mahinapua Hotel
Back out of the main road, there is a reminder of the history of the area with a coal trolley from a mine in front of the Hotel.
Fiona outside the Famous Mahinapua Hotel
The lakefront park is a neat spot to stop for a cup of tea or lunch.
We couldn’t come to Greymouth and not visit the famous Monteiths Brewery where Fiona’s favorite Cider comes from 🙂
The Central Motorhome Park
The tours are on three times a day and are $50 for two which includes some tasting and some complimentary drinks and discounts on West Coast Tourist attractions and some Monteiths clothing.
The coupons all come in a nicely packaged West Coast passport for each person on the tour.
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We checked in at the only central Motorhome Park, Central Motorhome Park and it is behind a Challenge service station almost across the road from Monteiths. Very handy!
An interesting wall hanging at Monteiths
The park is very reasonable at $20 a Motorhome but includes showers, free wifi and has water and a dump station. It is walking distance to everywhere so is VERY handy.
Fiona with her Passport
Monteiths is across the road and down a side street, less than 5 minutes walk and was very easy to find.
Our guide Nick with some of the product range
We arrived there right on time for our mid afternoon tour and soon after our guide Nick introduced himself and after donning some hi vis vests, we were shown given a quick background on how it all came about in the mid 1800’s. Originally the Brewery was in Reefton and wasn’t moved to Greymouth until the founders son moved it in early 1900’s. Fascinating history and I understand that after being owned by DB, it is now owned by Heinekin. Another good beer.
Nick showing us around.
After the history run down, we were shown the process on a giant board and then shown the different Stainless Steel Vats that are used to process the Beers. Very modern and it all looks amazingly efficient. After this we were shown the bottling plant and then the original safe with some historic books with the original shareholders etc. They also still have all the original processing equipment there that was used before all the high volume products were moved to DB.
Fiona on the tour
Afterwards, we were given lessons on how to pour a beer correctly and then we got to taste some .. Yum. Fiona and I had a couple of drinks each with some chips before we ambled back over the road to Rafe. All in all, a really interesting, fun afternoon and also not in any danger of dehyration 🙂
Central Motorhome Park behind the service station.
Seriously though.. well worth doing if you’re in the area.
The sun welcomed us into Reefton and after driving down the main street, we parked by the river and went for a walk.
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The river behind Reefton
The I site is amazing as it has a fully set up mine in there. You can hardly see your hand in front of your face but after your eyes adjust, you can see the trolley with a chap behind it. It is all setup to look like the real thing.
Dusk looking down Reeftons main street with the old lights lighting the street.
There was also a good background on how Reefton got to be the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have a full power supply.
In 1886, Walter Prince from Dunedin with a generator in tow and showed what could be done, totally dazzling the population of Reefton. Within a few years, they had the whole town up and running.
Plenty of parking
After wandering around looking at the shops and checking out the river, we came across a Miners Hut and all the related equipment. It was setup by 4 guys (all bearded of course) as volunteers and they take tours through all the bits they have there but they are a wealth of knowledge.
The Miners Hut
They weren’t there at the time but we found out we could see them the next morning so we parked Rafe at the local motorcamp by the river in the middle of town.
At the Reefton Camping ground. Toilets and showers behind
The weather was supposed to really pack a sad with a front coming through so we were pleased to be on gravel. In the end, it never really got much worse than drizzle.
The HutThe Miners Hut
In the morning, we headed back to the miners hut to meet three of the bearded miners. Gavin, Peter and Mark. Unfortunately, there was a fourth miner involved in setting this up too but he recently passed away. They were full of knowledge and very happily lit a lantern or two so I could photograph the inside of the hut. .. magic stuff.
The Bearded Miners. Gavin, Peter and Mark
They were waiting on a busload of tourists to arrive when we were there. Lovely to catch up with them and have a good natter and really nice guys who volunteer their time in their retirement to show off the history of Reefton.
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Looking down the main street of Reefton
Fiona checking out a local B & B
Nice sign
Replica’s of the old Lights
In the Miners Hut. An old collectible, the drunk Possum on the rafter.
The Bearded Miners. Gavin, Peter and Mark
Great mural on the loo wall
The town just reeks of history and the locals are just charming. Its a town that is often by passed but is well worth checking out.
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.
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
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