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.
In 1986, some very clever people from Nelson had several problems to solve. Some old historical buildings had to be saved and to do this, they had to be moved to somewhere safe. The other problem was what to do with an old reclaimed tip area. So the clever people fixed up the tip area to be reasonably presentable and stuck the buildings on it. A trust was formed backed by the council and the momentum to create the Founders Heritage Park was all on.
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Looking down the main street with the Old St Peters Church and the Windmill behind. The Windmill was in the main street of Nelson for many years.
With help coming from all corners of the community and a lot of local businesses, this is a stunning collection of Heritage buildings and historical artefacts from in and around Nelson. Think of a smaller version of Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology.
Old Newmans and NAC buses
Some very nearly didn’t make it with some terrible stories of buildings nearly falling of trucks on the way to the museum.
One of Nelsons Fire Stations
We visited the park on a day when it was pouring with rain but it was really the only time we had left in Nelson to do it.
A section on the history of the Port complete with a manmade lake.
With 30 odd buildings from a church to Schools, a railway station and many local shops rescued from Trafalgar street in Nelson as new buildings were built.
The Bristol Freighter
There was even a Bristol Freighter which was good to see as Fiona spent 3 years or so in Malaya at a British and New Zealand Military Camp. When she returned, she came back with her parents and younger brother and sister in a Bristol Freighter. As they are unpressurised, they could only fly at 300 feet and it took 3 days to get from Malaya to New Zealand via Darwin and Sydney, with frozen sandwiches as meals :-).
Fiona on the Bristol Freighter
This was Fiona’s first look inside one of these planes since that trip as an 8 year old so it was a bit special.
Fiona with the Bristol Freighter
I was amazed by how small it was inside. I used to watch them take off from Wellington Airport from my grandparents place up on the hill in Melrose, Wellington. As a grasshopper, I always thought they were huge !
After having a good look around the plane, we checked out the rest of the village. One of the interesting things there was a replica of Sir Ernest Rutherford’s house as a child.
A replica of Sir Ernest Rutherfords house.
There is so much other stuff to see at the park, I’ll let the Gallery below do the talking.
Click on the Gallery below to see a Slideshow
Old St Peters Church at the end of the street.
An old Nelson bike
Part of a section on Bikes
An old Stagecoach
A shoe repair business
Inside Old St Peters Church
The main street
We took shelter from the rain after that and had a nice cup of coffee and a really nice cake and scone at the onsite café.
Part of a great Agricultural display
Its a fabulous place and well done to those involved in rescuing these lovely old buildings and finding somewhere great to put them.
Its only $7 per adult and there is great parking for motorhomes there too. Next time you’re in Nelson, check it out.
This is a great place to stop with specially marked Motorhome parking. There is a great Café which does a great Bacon and Eggs breakfast and the coffee is good too.
There own pond .. nice outlook
There are several specialty Wine shops, a Cellar / Wine tasting shop, an amazing Quilting shop, a specialty Merino clothing place which is nice and out the back, there are places for the kids to stretch their legs too.
A nice bright QuiltFiona checking out some local spirits
The morning we were there, there were local rugby people giving the visiting kids a good workout with rugby balls and running races. There was also a Boules court and a giant chess set to play with as well.
Click on an Image for Hi Res or on the gallery below for a Slideshow
A VW Combi Model on top of the signs gives away the Motorhome friendly parking spot
The Village
Coffee in the sun
Outside the Quilt shop
Nice Knitting
A specialty wine shop selling all sorts including locally made Gin and Whiskey
Spectacular Loos.. with an ATM too!
Motorhome parking outside
Kids having running races out the back.
Snow on the hills behind the cafe
We stopped in for a cup of coffee and a scone and had a good look around. Everything in the specialty Wine shop is made in NZ including Gin and Whisky and its well worth a look.
Looking across towards Nelson with the snow on the tops of the hills
If you’re in the area, a great place to stop. Its on the road out to Nelson at Raupara. There is something there for everyone 🙂
While we were on the ferry, I’d checked out a couple of places to stay on the apps and found a place called Spring Creek.
Driving towards Blenheim, its one of the first small towns you come across as you come out of the Picton hills.
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The weather forecast was evil with all sorts of nasties due with cold, thunder and all sorts so we were keen to get plugged in with some heat which meant a Motorcamp or a CAP.
Rafe ready for the Thunder on gravel
Spring Creek Motorcamp is now run by Christine and Andy who last november moved down and are doing it up. It was very run down and with their experience from running the Top 10 at Orere Point by Clevedon, they making really good strides forward.
Christine and Andy
The camp is huge and is lucky that it has huge mature trees all around it and with the stream running along one side of it is a great place to stay.
New concrete pads and Motels
They also have quite a few motel units here and a backpackers building.
Nice pool
Fiona and I were staying a week so arranged for a weekly off season rate but the normal nightly powered site for 2 cost is $35 which is really reasonable. The showers are superb and are $1 and there is a well equipped laundry and dump station plus they’re really nice people as well.
Fiona hanging out the washing
We spent the first two nights on a gravel park as the grass was a bit soft and the forecast was evil.
Fiona heading for the Chocolate
During our first day here, we went for a bike ride about 5 k’s down the road to check out the Makara Chocolate Factory. There was a 20 odd knot head wind all the way so there was a bit of effort involved. A good ride though and perfectly flat and we knew there were good rewards at the end 🙂
We’ve been here before when we bought our wee Rafe caravan down several years ago. The chocolates are amazing and we couldn’t leave without buying some.
Right across the road from here is Saint Clair Family Wines with a full wine tasting facility and restaurant. We met a nice young couple and their young son from Australia there who were doing the vineyards in their small rented Jucy van. She was a Kiwi who had come back to see her family in Hamilton. Most people tend to go for the Sav Blancs and sweeter wines but I’m a die hard Chardonnay person and she was too, so we were both tasting the same wines and comparing notes which was fun.
At the Saint Clair Vineyard
After an hour or so there, we jumped on the bikes and rode back with the wind to Spring Creek Camp just beating a shower 🙂 .. its a lot more fun screaming along with the wind!
Primo spot next to the creek.
The next day, we took Rafe to the local supermarket in Blenheim and later went to Wither Hills for lunch which was just amazing. More wine tasting and the most amazing Beef lunch which melted in your mouth, washed down with some really nice Chardonnay. It doesn’t get much better than this. Fiona had a really nice Lamb Pie and really enjoyed that. Nice people, nice Restaurant, superb food and easy Motorhome parking too.
Eddies home next to Rafe
When we returned to the Camp, Andy, the camp owner, suggested that the park by the stream on the grass might be solid enough to park on so with some sheets of ply to stick our driving wheels on just in case, we parked right by the stream. There is a pet Eel called Eddie and his friends who are fed every morning and come right up on the bank.
Rafe near the stream
A neat place to be and we’re having fun.
Rafe’s tracking map from Spring creek to Withers Hill
For our last night in Wellington before the ferry, we thought it would be sensible to get a bit closer to avoid the weekday traffic with our early check in being 7am at the Bluebridge terminal.
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The NZMCA App screamed out the Petone Club as a good place to be and we cruised in the late morning to this massive park.
Petone Club
There’s plenty of room to park and they’re very obliging and helpful. They have a Buffet going for lunch and dinner and you’re very welcome in the bar. Just remember to take your NZMCA card with you.
Our parking.
The parking area is huge and all sealed. The power is a bit awkward as it is all in a bunch of 4 plugs right next to the entrance to the Motorhome parking area so its throw your leads over the fence.
The entrance to the parking area. The power is on the gatepost outside.
Our lead was just long enough to reach but it all works and for $10 a night, a fantastic place to stop. There are also toilets and a shower that can be used too.
We went for walk down to the local Pak N Save for some basics, which is about 20 minutes walk away.
Later in the day, we invited our next door neighbours over for a drink. John and Margaret hail from Masterton and were staying in Wellington. After a pleasant hour with them, we went into the Petone club for a spectacular tea for $9.50 each and a Sticky Date pudding.. Yum! All washed down with a huge $7 glass of chardy.. also Yum!
We got a rental while we were in Prague so we could leave the motorhomes at the campsite and have a look around. One of the planned outings if you like, was to Cesky Kumlov which is 150k’s southwest of Prague.
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One of the Squares. Gary, Fiona and Dianne on the right
It is now a UNESCO protected World Heritage site.
A weary traveller having a rest.. Gary in the blue on the right
We set off about 9am and after a stop or two along the way, we arrived at Cesky Kumlov. The town was established in the 1400’s and was then German. Most of the buildings in the town were built in the 1500’s due to a discovery of Gold by the castle.
Tourists enjoying the boats on the river
Amazing little shopping streets
Fiona and Dianne on the bridge watching people boating in the river.
The river. The restaurant on the right where we had lunch.
Part of the Castle
The Castle hovering over the village
The town is built on what is almost an island by the course of the fast flowing river that almost completely surrounds it. The castle was closed on the day we were there as it was Monday. I’m not quite sure how that works but never mind.
The Castle above the town
There were a few bus load of tourists there but nothing like other places we’ve been to. We had a great meal in a restaurant by the river and walked around the village.
A stunning wee town and if it wasn’t for the local knowledge of Gary and Dianne, we would never have known about it. A great day out. Thanks guys.
Leaving Kerikeri and heading west, I stumbled over the Mission House at Waimate. An amazing old house built by Maoris under the direction of Rev Samuel Marsden in 1832, the idea was to teach local Maori some of the European tricks of building and farming.
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The Mission House
As I came into the carpark, there was one spot next to the Church entrance where I could back Rafe in and leave the front wheels on the gravel.
Rafe parked by the doorway!
The church is fascinating with some of the oldest graves you’re likely to see anywhere. There is one spectacular gravestone what must have been a local chief or Kamatua that looks well looked after. It must be of some significance but there was no one around to ask about it.
Not sure whos grave this is but its impressive
After this, I went into the house. I’m a real sucker for things old and well looked after so this was really interesting. There was even an old woodturning Lathe there too.
Click on the Gallery below for slideshow
The Church next door
Those stairs !
The Lathe
One of the bedrooms
Waimate
A spooky Motorhome picky!
Its amazing how well it was built given the construction methods of the day. The stairs were crazy. You’d never get away with those today 🙂
The living room
Well worth a visit and only $10 a head to have a good wander around.
One of the places I’ve been wanting to check out while in Dargaville was the Museum at the top of the hill. The GPS was giving me strange messages that it wasn’t available but it seems they’ve changed the roading to get there. My GPS just didn’t know wbaout it!
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Dargaville from the Museum
Up the hill overlooking Dargaville is the Museum which provides Motorhome parking and also has a dump station and some outside Toilets near the parking with the most amazing view over the Dargaville area.
Museum parking
I had a quick nosey through the museum and it is amazing how much happened in this area with the river and shipping. The Gum Digging history is well documented too along with the Dalmation settlers who largely were involved with the Kauri Gum industry.
On the edge of Kaipara on the way to Dargaville
The view from the parking area with the Gumdiggers village in the foreground
Amazing murals on the wall
Some bits from wrecks found around Dargaville
Some old appliances in the Museum
Parking at the Museum
Its a great wee town Dargaville, lots to see and plenty of places to stay.
One of the murals on the wall of the Dargaville Museum
This would be one of the premo places to park for a night or two and the Museum is a must do too.
We’ve watched this place over the last year or so but it just gets better and better. The food is consistently good and its a neat place to stop.
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Nice Parking area
There is one Motorhome park on the gravel but there is also plenty of solid lawn parking for Caravans and Motorhomes while you visit.
The “Style Shop” 🙂
It is right on the turnoff to Thames on Highway 27 as you’re heading towards Thames. Turn left at the Thames turnoff coming from the motorway and its on your right.
There is plenty of parking. There is a kids play area for the nippers, great food and reasonably priced. Style shop is there too in a seperate building, for the Mums to load up while Dad soaks up the sun outside 🙂 … a dress shop 🙂
Fiona’s Date Scone
Nice outdoor area
An easy guide to Coromandel
Playground for the young ones
We stopped here on the way to catch up with friends at Coromandel for a scone and a cuppa. Although we were early, around 10:30ish, it was just getting busy so its good to see they’re doing so well.
We were on our way to Whitianga and were told about the magic Mussel Fritters that come from the Coroglen Tavern.
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Jed and Michelle outside their Hotel
3 years ago, Landlady (In the traditional Coro St fashion) Michelle and her other half Jed, bought the pub from Michelles parents and are redeveloping it as they can.
As responsible hosts, they are providing an area for Motorhomers to spend the night after enjoying their hospitality. As Michelle said, “They haven’t finished here yet”.
The Motorhome parking area. Plenty of room.
The Coroglen Tavern is the local for a wide area of Coromandel and is a well known Saturday night music hotspot.
The music area
Inside the bar area
Rafe parked outside
We timed it beautifully with our arrival bang on lunchtime and it was very hard to go past the Seafood Basket and of course the amazing Mussel Fritters. YUM. This is a serious must do!
Mussel Fritters .. YUM!The Seafood basket
There is parking around the back or we just parked Rafe in front.
Rafe parked outside
Jed and Michelle and their staff were very helpful and as I said, the food was something out of this world. Try it 🙂
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.
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