With all the trips we’ve done over the last 10 years or so up State Highway 1, I thought it would make a nice change to head across to Ohakune and check out the other side.
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The Ohakune Club
We arrived in the middle of the day and with the door to the Ohakune club shut, we walked into the town for a look around. We checked into a Bar there for a sly Gin and Tonic while watching people come and go, and bought some of Ohakune’s famous Eclairs to take back to Rafe…. and they didn’t disappoint 🙂
Downtown Ohakune
Later, we checked into the club and bought a drink at the bar. While we were having tea, we met some nice people at the next table who it turned out, grew up in Devonport! They also owned a house in Devonport too, in Roslyn Tce.. “What number?”, asks Fiona. The reply was .. jeepers that’s our old house that we sold four years or so ago.
The back lawn Ohakune Club
It turns out that Rob and Jane bought it as a bit of a wreck as it hadn’t had anyone living in it for a few years. I had scrim on the walls, no light fittings and no taps on the plumbing! It was also smaller at the back and downstairs.
Amazing… it then turned out that we both knew someone from Taupo where they now live who parked in our driveway once… crazy 🙂
We spent another very pleasant half hour or so more with them before heading back through the rain to Rafe.
We’ve popped in here a few times over the years with friends Dianne and Gary. I even had visions of buying a building here, but it wasn’t to be but fun dreaming and talking about it 🙂
Argyle Hotel in Hunterville
After leaving Wanganui, we headed across the back of Marton and stopped in Hunterville for lunch. Hunterville is another one of those towns you tend to whizz through on your way somewhere. All the cafes here seemed to be going gang busters which was nice to see.
Parked at Mangaweka.. those cliffs!
After an hour or so here, we cruised up the road a bit to Mangaweka. Since we were last here, they’ve built a new bridge for vehicles which has taken a chunk of the campground, but I think from memory, its actually easier to get into now with a new access road.
The new Road bridge.
We parked Rafe and plugged in and then walked over the bridge to Awastone to pay for the night and have a cup of coffee.
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The Village in Hunteville
Close to nature
enjoying the water
Parked at Mangaweka.. those cliffs !
The old bridge, now pedestrian only
People camped on the grass by the river.
Awastone is the full featured, big brother campground, owned by the same people across the bridge.
Awastone over the road
After that we cruised back to Rafe to check out all the people playing in the river. The place was pretty busy with people opting to park right down by the river with their Caravans and Motorhomes. It’s a lovely spot
We met the people next to us too … nice people. One lot of their way home from Auckland to Nelson and some others who used be locals come back to their old stamping ground.
Hot and wet!
We only had time for one night here this time, but it was lovely to be here and see those amazing cliffs again. The chap who used to live here was telling me that every time a plane flies over the cliffs, bits fall out of them so that wasn’t good news. It seems they quite soft.
This is an amazing place setup by Nigel Ogle in an old disused Dairy Factory on the outskirts of Hawera.
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One of the smaller Diorama’s in the Cafe
Nigel has put this together from scratch including making all the characters and models and the attention to detail is absolutely stunning.
It is split into several sections and the last time we were here, we only had time to do one section (several hours). This time we were going to try one of the ones we missed last time, being the Traders and Whalers.
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In the mower section
The shop
After parking and checking in, we set off to the Traders and Whalers section where we guided through some fairly dimly lit tunnels with some amazing life-sized dioramas with hugely detailed people with flax, rifles, boats and everything to do with early NZ.
Parking area
We were then led to a big underground cave like area with a moat and a 20 odd person boat. With some others, we got into it and were taken through an amazing area of sound, light and more life-sized dioramas of early New Zealand showing early Maoris trading flax and Muskets with settlers. So well done. I believe it was a collaborative effort with Weta Workshop, so I wasn’t able to photograph any of it. Just amazing and a must see.
Trading
After that we went through to see some smaller displays of early whaling and trading then onto the Cafe for a really nice coffee. They have an amazing selection of traditional cakes, and we chose a couple of beauties.
In the Tractor area
Across the road is very easy Motorhome parking on a big patch of grass next to the car parking.
As I said a must see if you’re in the area.
Rafe’s tracker map to Tawhiti Museum and onto Wanganui – Armada GPS
As we left Mokau, we were invited along with Steve and Rosemary to stay at Greg and Shona’s place in New Plymouth. They are also part of the Dethleffs Owners team and Graeme and Shirley were going to be there too.
Us on the left in front, Steve and Rosemary’s Esprit GT behind and to the right, Greg and Shona’s Advantage.
I was a wee bit nervous after repairing part of my Chassis at the back which gets scraped occasionally on high forecourts and driveways as there was a huge camber at the end of the driveway, but no damage was done 🙂
It was lovely to catch up with Greg and Shona and it was very kind of them to put us all up in their driveway with power too! We had a fantastic dinner together and a lovely night in the driveway.
In the morning we all set off in different directions. Fiona and I set off to New Plymouth city to see the famous Len Lye Gallery and have some lunch and Fiona was keen to see some shops 🙂
The Len Lye centre with the White Swan behind.
Our next destination was all about New Years eve 🙂
The reflection of the White Swan hotel in the Len Lye centre
Thanks again guys for having us in your driveway and thanks for a great night. It was great to see Graeme and Shirley again too.
After almost a month of sitting in one spot, it was time to blow out the cobwebs with a quick trip away for the weekend. Fiona was keen to go to the markets at Mangawhai so Mangawhai it was.
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Looking out over the Estuary
We found a great wee pop up on the hill above the village close to the markets. Colin has a house up behind the shops and provides power and water and a great view. It is also a very easy walk to the shops.
Looking out at DuskThe view from Rafe in Mangawhai
We arrived there about 7:30 odd on the Friday night and slotted in on a compacted grass are looking right out over the estuary.
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Us up on the hill
The Pie Caravan !
The Entrance to Bennets Chocolate Shop
The outside of bennetts
The popular shop in Mangawhai.. Sausages in bread 🙂
A new shopping centre
Cove Restaurant where we had lunch
The view down to the Village
The next morning, we woke up to a sunny day and after getting organised walked down to the village and the markets at the primary school. It’s a great atmosphere with everyone having fun and getting into the swing of it.
Arriving at the Markets
The great find for me was a caravan there selling these amazing pies. The owner was a real foodie who used to run a local restaurant and now make the pies and sell them locally. The coffee was something else too. I had a Lamb and Mint pie, and Fiona had a Curried Fish. both amazing!
At the Bennetts Coffee shopBennetts Chocolates
After this we walked back to the main shops from the school and after a coffee and a visit to Bennetts Chocolates (who could resist!) we stopped in for lunch at the Cove restaurant.
Cove Restaurant where we had lunch
Then it was back to Rafe. A great day of Sunshine, Great Food and Coffee in a lovely spot.
The school holidays had rolled around, and our son Alex had two business trips to both Wellington and New York so it was down to Fiona and I to entertain the two boys. Ayden 14, and Liam 11.
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Ngongotaha looking a little dreary on the first day.
Our oldest son Drew and his partner Jenna and their 10 month old son Archie were going to meet us in Rotorua later and were staying in a boutique Hotel in Rotorua town.
The three cuzzies, Ayden, Archie and Liam by the waterfront.
Our first thought was to stay at the Speedway track which is somewhere I’ve never stayed before or Ngongotaha NZMCA park. Fiona had the idea that she would follow us down in the car so we could run around down there more easily.
We were off. Ayden sat in the copilots’ seat and Liam came down with Fiona a wee bit behind.
Liam and Ayden with the Hopscotch
We arrived in Rotorua early in the afternoon with passing showers so after checking out the Speedway which looked amazing, I decided against staying there only due to the power being 3 pin plug. Our 10 amp adapter is not weatherproof and the only spare 16 amp weather protected plug meant crossing some fairly boggy ground, so it was off to Ngongotaha.
I was pleasantly surprised that there were plenty of powered sites still free given it was school holidays and the park was quite busy. We plugged in and settled down until Fiona and Liam arrived in the car an hour or so later.
Down on the waterfront
It didn’t take long for the boys to check out the park and they quickly found the hopscotch right next to the powered parks. Later that day we headed into town to the park by the waterfront for the boys to run around.
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The amusement fair on the waterfront.
Down on the waterfront
The boys in the playground
Ayden and Liam on a swing.
People on the waterfront
Down on the waterfront
Andrew and Jenna texted so it was off to see them at their hotel and then we walked to the Lone Star for a meal. I haven’t been here for a while, so it was a quick reminder on how big the meals are there 🙂
Drews HUGE pork ribs at the Lone Star !
The next day after some more Hopscotch, we caught up again with Drew, Jenna and Archie.
Liam, Ayden, Archie with granny Fiona at the French cafe
After a nice lunch at Fiona’s favourite French cafe, we drove up to the Paradise Valley Animal Park for the boys, all three of them!
Ayden having fun with a DonkeyLiam feeding a Goat
They really enjoyed it and saw the Lions being fed which was amazing. The slabs of meat get thrown over about a 30 metre high French surrounding the enclosure 🙂
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Liam feeding a deer at the Animal Park
Trout at the Anima Park
Archie in his pushchair
Jenna, Archie, Drew and Liam in the background with a llama
Jenna, Archie, Ayden and Drew with the Llamas
Liam with a Goat
Ayden having fun with a Donkey
The happy Lion after a feed
There was a fair / amusement arcade setup on the fields behind the waterfront park, so we took the boys there. Ayden had broken his thumb playing rugby and was in cast so that reduced the Funtime activities for him which was a shame. Liam had a go at the dodgems and Ayden settled for some candy floss.
Liam on the Dodgems
The next morning, we were meeting Drew, Jenna and Archie at the Gondolas so that Liam could have a go on the Luge. He had a great time while we waited for him with cups of coffee in the Cafe.
Liam, Archie, Drew and Jenna on the Gondola.
Both boys came back with me in Rafe and we caught up with Fiona at Tirau.
Liam on the ride back up.
It was a fun few days and they really enjoyed it and it was a nice change for us too. Here is a look at a previous trip to Rotorua with the boys.
Rafe’s tracker map to Ngongotaha NZMCA park – Armada GPS
One of the loveliest spots to stay is at the Mighty River Domain on the banks of the Waikato River.
Complete with its own Cafe, it is also home to competitive rowing in New Zealand and most mornings you’ll find the nation’s elite Rowers and Kayakers going for row.
It is also very cost effective to stay there too.
Plenty of space up on the top levelThe bottom area
We last stayed here with 25 Motorhomes with the Dethleffs Owners group get together last year. It worked well and was a lot of fun with two communal meals and lots of laughs.
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The rowing grandstand
The Outlook !
An interesting photoshoot while I was there 🙂
Part of the playground
Nice outdoor area from the Kitchen
I met some neat people from New Plymouth while I was here who I caught up with later.
Friends down on the lower level.
There are two levels of powered parking, ablutions blocks everywhere you look (to cater for rowers) and plenty of places for some great walks. There is also a bike trail into Cambridge which is about 7 k’s away.
Part of the playground
GPS instructions to get here included a trip across the top of a dam which you can’t do in most Motorhomes so the best way there is via Cambridge.
It has been a while since I was last out here in Pukekohe, a few years perhaps but boy it has grown. There are new houses everywhere you look, and the town has grown too.
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I checked in with Sarah at the Pukekohe A&P grounds where they’ve provided Motorhome parking for some years now. She very kindly showed me where everything was and after parking the van, I went for a walk over the road to the Z Zone.
I stopped in at the local Hollywood Bakery for a coffee and then popped into a few local shops. before heading back to the park.
When I first started coming here about 8 years or so ago, it was all grass with lots of mud when it was wet and a couple of power poles.
Ian was the man in charge, and I understand he is still involved. He has done a magnificent job over the years of developing this into a really nice area to stay.
Now there are Toilets, showers and a coin operated Laundry in the new(ish) amenities block. There is a circular gravel road which runs past many of the sites and on past the dump station. So no more muddy exits 🙂 .. Ans all at a reasonable price too.
The Amenities block, now with a LaundryAnd a Dump Station!
There are a lot more power points all set out with plenty of space on big sites. It’s a fantastic setup.
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The Amenities block, now with a Laundry
Just across the road is one of Pukekohe’s big shopping areas with the Warehouse and several other big stores. Pukekohe’s main street is just a few steps further on.
Having not been here for a while and seeing the changes, Ian, Sarah and the crew have done a fantastic job providing some Motorhome and Caravan accommodation in an area where there wasn’t any.
39 Dethleffs Motorhomes of all shapes and sizes arrived in Miranda ready to catch up with old friends and see other Motorhomes. There were quite a few first timers at this event but also the old hands that could remember others names to catch up with people they met earlier.
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The Coupes Arriving
The first day was about settling the vans down and wandering around to see where everyone was and having a swim in the hot pool.
Later in the day, there was happy hour for everyone to get together and there was an impromptu shared meal between a dozen or so friends in the evening.
There was a really funny moment after the meal when we were all sitting around having a few drinks and a few laughs. There was a group of about 20 odd teenagers on the table next to us and there were about 8 of us by then. A lady in the group stood up to make a speech and as soon as she started, one of our group started singing happy birthday and others joined in. She was saying no no, then gave up but our group stopped singing. Everyone was laughing. Then we found out it was an engagement so there were lots of congratulations from us too! Great time. 😂😂
The pot luckers on Friday Night
Because Fiona was working late on the Friday, she arrived in the car around 8:30.
The cyclists setting off for Kaiaua and the Cafe
The next morning was the bike ride to Kaiaua or to a cafe up the road. There were about 19 bike riders on bikes! A great turnout. Most were riding the 13k’s or so to the Kaiaua for lunch.
On the trail to Kaiaua
Fiona and I followed them and got pictures of them at stops with the car.
On the trail to Kaiaua
When we arrived at the pub, well before the cyclists, Quin the Manager had just arrived and was about to open so perfect timing.
At the Kaiaua Pub for lunch
At the Kaiaua Pub for lunch
We all went out to the back beer garden with the bikes and ordered coffees and lunch. Fiona and I had an amazing pizza.
The bikes at the pub
About an hour or so there, we started the trek back.
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Bruce and Judys Globe 4 (Rafe’s twin)
Catching up in the driveway
Liz and Nolina
Catching up on Friday
Friday night happy hour
Friday night
Friday night Happy Hour
On the trail to Kaiaua
On the trail to Kaiaua
Rays Rest
On the trail to Kaiaua
On the trail to Kaiaua
At Rays Rest
The Team piccy
Saturday night
Steve and Troy still behaving 🙂
Saturday night eating fest 🙂
Back to the hot pool and then later at 4, we had the team photo. Where we normally do the piccy was really boggy, so we had to move out to the motorhome parking.
The Team piccy
Happy Hour came next, and the place was chocker with people.
Pot Luck heaven
Sat Night with the shared meal.
The Buffet 🙂
Then came the shared meal and the meals were restaurant quality… just amazing and everyone got a great feed with some going back for seconds. Fantastic.
On the last day (Sunday Morning) we caught up again for a farewell coffee together.
Bruce and Judys Globe 4, Above, (Rafe’s twin) 9 years old and over 100000ks and never missed a beat… a testament to the old 3 litre Ivecos! Rafes got 102000ks, exactly the same Motor, Motorhome and colour!
Dethleffs everywhere you look
A great event with lots of fun and thanks to everyone for coming.
Bowentown is just one of those places that just works and with its fantastic beach, it is hard to beat for somewhere to stay. Every time I walked down to the beach with the camera over the few days I had here, there was a completely different look.
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Looking down from the hill. Rafe parked at the bottom of the image.
I was parked overlooking the sea and the rest of the camp close to where I was when I was here a few years ago. A lovely spot and only a few steps to the sand.
That amazing beach
Anzac Bay is an easy walk from the Campground and is on the other side of the peninsular. There used to be overnight parking a few years ago but it was stopped due to congestion issues, but it is another nice bay with others beyond that you can walk to from there. If you have bikes, there is a great bike trail that takes you all the way up to the northern end Waihi Beach.
Anzac Bay
I spent some time with some other Motor homers who had stopped for lunch and were enjoying the sunshine.
Picnickers at Anzac Bay
Back to the camp… On the second day, there, I popped down to the new Froth Cafe for a coffee and a snack. They had a walking group from Waihi Beach so were run off their feet but both Shawna and Helon had the place humming. The walkers do this on a regular basis and stop for a reward at the Cafe.
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Lunch at Anzac Bay
Looking out towards Katikati at Anzac Bay
The Vw’s are still there
The kid’s area at Bowentown
The view from our park .. just the best.
Looking North, Rafe down the bottom.
The Boat ramp on the inner harbour at Bowentown
One of those moods on the beach
There used to be a lovely boardwalk that ran along the top of the sand dunes along the beach but unfortunately the last weather events undermined to the point that it was unsafe, and it has been removed.
It is still one of the best beaches around and just going down to sit in the lee of the hill at the bottom of the beach with the sand between your toes is just magic, even in winter 🙂
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.
We spent another very pleasant half hour or so more with them before heading back through the rain to Rafe.
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