Tag Archives: Nice Rest areas

Wairarapa 25

Bulldozers, Boats and Balloons

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There are only a few places in New Zealand where boats are launched by bulldozers, and Ngawi is probably the most iconic. About half an hour south of Martinborough, this quirky fishing village is an absolute must-see if you’ve never been.

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Looking along the Beach

Before we left Martinborough, I tried several times to contact the local campground in Ngawi but never got a reply. As it turned out, the weather had shifted and with strong westerlies predicted, maybe it was for the best, it’s quite an exposed spot. Still, we decided to take a scenic detour on our way back to Greytown to check it out.

Looking down on the beach
Kids on the beach

The drive south from Martinborough is beautiful. As we cruised along the coast towards Ngawi, we passed through a string of charming, slightly weathered coastal settlements. The kind of places that made me think: “This is Old NZ.”

Easy retrieval. the whole process took minutes.
Looking along the Beach

Eventually, we rolled into Ngawi, and what a place it is! Picture a circular gravel beach, ringed with bulldozers lined up like soldiers, each paired with a massive fishing boat on a giant trailer with a huge drawbar. No ramps needed here, just clever Kiwi engineering making the most of what’s available.

Our grassy spot looking back towards Wellington
Behind our grassy spot

We found a spot to park up right on the beach in one of the grassy freedom camping areas, with views across to Wellington. Just around the corner, tucked in behind some trees, was a trailer café selling the freshest fish and chips, melt-in-your-mouth stuff! They were proud of their food, and rightly so, it was simply the best.

Ngawi Local shop opposite our park.
Amazing Baches

We sat on a bench beside Rafe, soaking up the view and enjoying lunch with a cup of coffee from the van. Pure bliss.

Afterwards, we took a wander past the bulldozers and down along the windswept beach. Such an incredible, rugged spot, unique and unforgettable.

We thought we’d carry on to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, but a sign a few k’s down the road warned that it wasn’t suitable for long vehicles. With Rafe stretching over 8 metres (plus the bikes on the back), we decided to play it safe and turn around, heading back through Ngawi and north to Greytown.

Looking out towards Wellington

As we made our way up the coast, the weather started to close in from the west, there were clouds building, the light shifting but we’d had the best of it.

One of the Balloons sailing off above Greytown

Back at Greytown Campground, we caught up with Ken again and parked up. As we opened the vents and settled down for a well-earned G&T, we heard a loud whoosh.

Rising balloon

Looking up, we saw a hot air balloon rising up from the domain next door, the burners roaring as it lifted just above the trees, probably no more than 50 metres away. Then another, and another, followed, each one floating eastward over Greytown.

What an incredible end to a brilliant day.

Rafe’s tracker map to Ngawi – Armada GPS
Close to home, Waikato

Bliss on the Beach

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When we first got our motorhome, Ray’s Rest quickly became one of our favorite freedom camping spots.

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Later in the day

It’s one of the few places in New Zealand where you can park right on the sand, looking out across the water with the Coromandel Peninsula offering some shelter.

Looking south down the beach

A few years ago, this spot like many others saw an influx of largely overseas tourists misusing freedom camping areas. It wasn’t uncommon to wake up with a budget rental van parked just inches from your doorway. Thankfully, updated self-containment and freedom camping laws have put an end to that, making places like Ray’s Rest much more enjoyable again.

A drone being setup for fishing off the beach

Two weeks earlier, I’d been knocked out by Covid, so Fiona suggested I take the motorhome out for some fresh air while she worked, and she’d join me later. Brilliant idea! With the sun shining, I stocked up at Countdown Supermarket and hit the road.

Looking North along the beach

When I arrived, there were plenty of parking spots, though they quickly filled as the day went on. It was great to catch up with several familiar faces, New Zealand really is a small place!

Nice easy pace

I spent the afternoon walking along the beach, soaking in the sunshine, and appreciating just how lucky we are to have places like this to stay. The weather was stunning, and an onshore breeze kept things comfortable—absolute perfection.

Rays Rest is famous for being a bird migration landing zone.

After two blissful days of sea air and sunshine, I packed up, already planning my next visit.

Rafe next to the sand.

Ray’s Rest is still magic, and I’ll definitely be back for more 🙂

Rafe’s tracker map to Rays Rest – Armada GPS
Close to home, Waikato

Lets get out of the House !

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We hadn’t long been out of bed on the Saturday morning when Fiona announced,” Let’s get out of town, what about Kaiaua”?

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The Bay View Hotel in Kaiaua

Kaiaua has become our easy bust out of the house destination being not far to drive with a great NZMCA park next door to a fantastic pub and the Fish and Chip shop from heaven 🙂

So, within a couple of hours, we were arriving in Kaiaua. Almost opposite us were full-timers, Kelly and Claire in their Autotrail Delaware. Small world stuff. It turns out that Kelly built a friend’s boat. Moored in the same place as the old family boat Rorqual.

We tootled over next door to the pub next door and there was an amazing band playing called Small stuffed Animals. they were amazing playing all the old favourites.

We also met Vicki and John who are just getting a Caravan ready to hit the road. Vicki grew up in Kaiaua.

I was told that there was a German Ompah band playing the next day and that explained why some of the staff were dressed in the appropriate costume, like the German beer festival. Lots of fun.

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Manu about to deliver some food to a table.

We pretty much spent the rest of the day there and then got fish and chips for tea at the Fish and Chip shop. While we were there, we stumbled on some Liquorice Ice Cream. We last had this with Sambuca over it years ago in Coromandel and it was unbelievable. Well, we’ve found it, and it is made by Lewis Road Creamery… I feel a visit is imminent with the freezer on 🙂

Manu with some happy customers.

The next day, Fiona went for a walk, and I went to chat to the neighbours and later we found ourselves back at the pub where the Herman band was laying. Barman Manu was in his German gear making the most of it and it was a fun afternoon.

Later in the day we checked in to the Pub for tea. I had an unbelievable Pork Roast and Fiona had a Fish Pie… both amazing.

A great weekend out of the house:-)

Rafe’s tracker map to Kaiaua – Armada GPS
Waikato

Little Waipa

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For years several friends of mine have been telling me how nice this place is, and I finally got to stay here. It is right on the Waikato River just north or Arapuni. It is also right on the Waikato River trail for biking and walking.

I arrived here in the morning and there was quite a bit of room. (Mid-week) There are some pretty flash loos here too, but they are clean long drops.

Its lovely just sitting there with the music on watching the Swans and Ducks and generally taking it all in.

Stunning

A nice spot given it is freedom camping and it just shows how spoilt we are in the Waikato region with the council providing parking like this.

Rafe’s tracker map to Mystery Creek – Armada GPS
Bay of Islands, Northland

Rainbow Falls and the Packhouse Markets.

After the Hustle and Bustle of Paihia with the festival, we decided to head for some peace and quiet at the NZMCA park at Rainbow Falls. A nice location away from it all where we blobbed out. I went for a look at the Waterfall .. it would be rude not to 🙂

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The NZMCA park at Kerikeri
Rainbow Falls

We ummed and ahhed about walking down to the Stone Store but decided after our Paihia walking, we’d have a quiet day instead.

The NZMCA park at Kerikeri

Early the next morning, we set off towards Kerikeri to visit the Markets and the Packhouse Cafe. The markets are on every weekend and we had the most amazing lunch in the cafe.  I would have to say would be one of the Bay’s easiest and safest parking areas for Motorhomes around. I call them “Motorhome friendly Parking” places!  …. with a great Cafe and Markets as well 🙂

The Packhouse Cafe and Bakery

I parked right next to a Grader at the back to the carpark, a lovely spot.

The Parking !

We wandered around enjoying talking to some of the stall holders. A very friendly place 🙂

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The NZMCA park at Kerikeri
The NZMCA park at Kerikeri
The NZMCA park at Kerikeri
The Packhouse Cafe and Bakery
The Packhouse Cafe and Bakery
The Packhouse Markets
Hats at the Packhouse Markets
The Parking !

I bought a dress for my 2-month-old Granddaughter with advice from Fiona 🙂

The Packhouse Markets
The Packhouse Markets

We worked our way through the huge building towards the cafe with the bakery attached where they make the most amazing breads and pies. There is also an attached Butcher and Delicatessen that had everything including the amazing local Cheese from the Mahoe Cheese factory.

The Packhouse Cafe and Bakery
The Packhouse Cafe and Bakery

As the day went on, the wind picked up and the rain came down as forecasted so we decided to head for home. We had a fantastic weekend in the Bay… back next year 🙂

Rafe’s tracker map to Kerikeri – Armada GPS
Coromandel 24

Coromandel Wharf

It’s a great area here but being spoilt for great food, we decided we’d better be sensible and make an effort on our last day here to walk off some calories, so after stopping in Downtown Coromandel, we carried on around the corner to the wharf.

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The last notable time we came here by boat. Two 12 metre launches with friends and while we parked out in deep water off the wharf, he was determined to get into the wharf for some fuel.

They got in ok but getting out again with the water running away was amazing with him sliding along the mud until there was enough water. I don’t know how he did it, but he was always a clever in this department and there must have been just enough water under him to slide with 🙂 Great yarn anyway but it is true. If it was me, I would never have made it 🙂

There were no clouds, no wind and little traffic so it was blissful just walking around looking at the boats. The wharf itself is tidal too so they sit on the mud when they’re in.

A great Bar and great food too

We dawdled back to the town and checked in for lunch.

As the sun goes down

After a quick look at a very clever Copper sculpture maker. We headed back to the Rafe for a G&T.

Rafe’s tracker map to Coromandel – Armada GPS
Taranaki 2024

Feeling at home at Ngongotaha

We left Turangi early and headed up the side of the lake as Fiona was really looking forward to “doing the shops” in Taupo.  We’ve met several people over the last few weeks have given us different views of the changes at Taupo and none of them are all that flash so we were a bit unsure of what we might find.

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Along the waterfront at Rotorua

Driving along the Taupo waterfront and hour or so later, there were thousands of people enjoying the sun and the lakefront and it looked fantastic. I got to the end of the waterfront to the town and suddenly out of the blue was right-hand bend into the back of the town.

Late afternoon at Ngongotaha NZMCA park

How to get to the day Motorhome parking on the other side of town easily. Too hard I thought with all the people, so we decided we’d skip Taupo and head straight for Rotorua.

Busy busy

An hour or so later, we were at Ngongotaha plugging ourselves in and getting ready for our first bike ride into Rotorua down the bike trail. We’ve done this before too but it’s always different and new things to see and do. Fiona’s favourite French Cafe was closed due to the silly season, so we had a lovely Cafe lunch just by the waterfront before biking up to a well know baby shop to look for some clothes for my year-old grandson.

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Along the waterfront
Ohinemutu
The Trail into town
Eat St
Pleasant day
Late afternoon at Ngongotaha

We had two nights there and after another night at the Ngongotaha park and some more riding around the waterfront, we packed up and headed back to Auckland.The park is looking good and is always busy which is good to see. It’s so handy to town too.

Rafe’s tracker map to Ngongotaha – Armada GPS
Taranaki 2024

Those lovely white cliffs at Mangaweka

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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.

Rafe’s tracker map to Mangaweka – Armada GPS
Taranaki 2024

Tawhiti Museum

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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
Taranaki 2024

Charming Stratford

One of the great discoveries here was the wonderful A&P Showgrounds parking for Motorhomes. Great level parking an easy walk from the town and the local Countdown supermarket. This is usually a town I drive straight through, usually in too much of a hurry to get somewhere.

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Mt Egmont behind

We arrived here on New Years Day after a great night at Ninia Park, so nothing was open except for the supermarket.

Looking back from the grandstand

After settling down, plugging in and opening vents, I got the bikes down and we went for a bit of a nosey trough the town. We found King Edward Park in the centre of Stratford with the Patea River running through it.

Patea River

There are several bridges and nice tracks through. After an hour or so of finding our way through here we headed back to Rafe via the supermarket for Tea.

Fiona on the bridge in King Edward Park

On the way out to Hawera, I looked at stopping in at The Stratford Pioneer Village on the southern side of the town. I had been here before and done a blog on it which you can see here.

Downtown Stratford

It’s a lovely wee town and very easy parking at the Showgrounds.

Rafe’s tracker map to Stratford A&P Grounds – Armada GPS