It is a really handy spot and this is where one of the most recently opened NZMCA parks is.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Plenty of flat room
On one side is the main rd northwards to Pukenui and beyond up to Cape Reinga and the other side has a river winding its way past. It’s a lovely flat site.
Fantastic spot to park
I was intrigued by the sign in hut or cupboard as it really is. The face on profile looks like a significant small building but if you look at the side profile, its looks very different 🙂 Very clever.
The front profile 🙂The side profile of the “shed”
We had spent the previous two nights up at Pukenui intending to drive up to Cape Reinga but after coming across a company based in Kaitaia only 7 k’s or so down the road, they suggested that we get ourselves here before 9am the next morning so they could pick us up before heading up the beach to Cape Reinga. They had a modified Truck which was a Petrol Tanker in a past life and modified it for use on the beach with 4-wheel drive and sand tyres. .. so here we are..
Nice safe spot
The Caravanner next door had his two grandsons with him and was catching the same bus. The park is fantastic and makes life very easy to plan your way around Northland. Well done to the volunteers who set it up.
Rafe’s tracker map to the Awanui NZMCA park – Armada GPS
The new NZMCA park has been open for a few months now but what a spot.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
The Park
After several weeks of dreadful weather and with Rafe just sitting on the pad, it was time to bust out while the weather was good.
The pub in the background
We set off about lunchtime and headed down the Motorway and headed out towards Miranda with hardly any traffic on the roads at all. Arriving an hour or so later with the sun streaming down, we parked up at the Kaiaua Park. It’s a beauty! With the Bayview Hotel right next door with a track through to the pub and the famous Kaiaua fisheries next to them, there is definitely no excuse for being hungry or thirsty 🙂
The Bayview Hotel next door
After a visit to the pub and finding them busy, we decided on Fish and Chips, and they were huge! I kept a piece of fish for the next day 🙂
Kaiaua Fish and Chips!
After lunch at the Hotel, which was fantastic, we headed off to Rays Rest for an hour or two.
Click on the Gallery below for a look at Rays Rest
We have not been there since it was redeveloped by a storm a few years ago but it still looks pretty good to me.
Seafood Galore!
We decided not to stay though and headed back to Kaiaua and settled for a G&T at the Hotel.
The Marina
A fantastic park with room for Africa and having the Pub and Fish and Chip shop handy is a Real bonus!
Rafe’s Tracker map to Kaiaua NZMCA Park – Armada GPS
On New Year’s Day we said goodbye to Steve and Rosemary. They were heading down towards Carterton.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
We were well overdue for a trip to Gisborne as it has been 7 years since our last visit!
We headed off via the coast up past Wairoa which seemed to go on forever. The forecast bad weather had arrived and was settling in.
We found a neat little Fish shop just by the turnoff to Mahia Peninsula which had the best Fish and Chips I’ve tasted for a long time then we headed off again up towards Gisborne.
The park
The new NZMCA park in Gisborne is a beauty right over the road from the beach. With the weather the way it was it was no real surprise to see a couple of cruise ships anchored off the coast.
Fiona checking out the cruise ships
The next day we spent the morning catching up with the Laundry, bedding and all. It was nice to have a everything clean again. After that we headed off to find a nice Cafe for some lunch and got some more groceries while we were right next to a 4 Square.
Waikanae BeachFiona on the beach
The new park is a cracker with the beach right over the road.
Well done to the local crew for the Garden Art, it looks great.
It was New Year’s Eve. We left the Hawkes Bay Golf club reasonably early so we could find a good spot at Eriksen Park. It was busy but there were plenty of gaps.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
The Dethleff corner. Steve and Rosemary’s Esprit, Rafe and Ian and Erik’s Esprit.
We’d only driven about halfway into the park when we spotted an older Dethleffs Esprit with some big gaps alongside, so I parked alongside and Steve next to us. Easy.
Busy at Eriksen Park
After we’d opened vents and settled in, off came the bikes and the four of us set off to Napier for lunch. It was nice to see some of the old cars cruising the streets.
Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow
The Dethleff Corner
Rosemary feeling the cold on New Year’s Eve.
Steve bat the Wine Bar
Rosemary and Fiona at the Wine Bar
Setlling down for lunch
The wine bar.. amazing place
We then went to the famous Masonic Hotel for a drink but after less than ½ hour, we were told they were closing so we moved to this amazing wine bar just down the road that Steve knew about, where we were entertained by really good German host who really looked after us.
At Napier shops about to have lunch. Steve, Fiona and Rosemary. Check out the car going past.On the way back to Eriksen into the gale !
At least an hour went by, maybe more 🙂 and we set off back to Eriksen on our bikes along the waterfront. The easterly wind had really got up, so the electric assistance was cranked to the max 🙂
Ian, Rosemary, Steve, Fiona and Erik enjoying a New Years eve Happy Hour.
The owners of the older Esprit came back in their Toad, and we went over and met them. Nice guys from up by Kaitaia, Eric and Ian. They later came over and joined us for a New Year’s Eve drink.
Bliss
After tea, we sat outside while it got a bit cooler and waited for the fireworks.
A really good day on the bikes again with friends.
What a pleasant surprise finding the Tokoroa Club parking area.
Click on any Image to enlarge
Excellent parking
Nicely partitioned away from the normal parking area with 6 powered sites.
The Bowling club next door
It is extremely good value for $10 and they’re really friendly people too.
Massive carpark with the Motorhome parking behind.
Their carparks are huge but at the back of their main carpark are the Motorhome / Caravan parks.
We arrived early in the afternoon, plugged in, opened the vents and went into the bar for a nice cold Gin and Tonic and paid for the park at the same time.
There was a storm due!
They do meals as well but you do need to be a member of a Club to be able to use the indoor areas.
The Club
A great spot for an overnight break.
Rafe’s Tracker map to the Tokoroa Club – Armada – GPS
Ardmore NZMCA park is one of our better parks so it we were looking forward to a break from the house and the grotty weather for a week of sunshine watching the world go by.
Click on any image to enlarge.
Our youngest 9 yr old Grandson Liam goes to school in Ardmore where they used to live until last year and Dad Alex, had a week in Canberra for business so Liam needed someone to get him to school and feed him for the week. We live in Devonport so the easy way was to take Rafe out and stay at the park and walk him to his old bus stop not far from the entrance of Ardmore.
For the first couple of days Fiona was working so it was time for some walks during the day, take some piccies and read Newspapers. The sun was out, it was warm in the sun but was cold in the shadows but generally a big improvement on a few weeks ago.
Ardmore park
I met the custodian and Grant and Liz who honestly made me feel exhausted just watching them work on the park. It was almost non stop! .. and they’re really nice people who were so helpful.
On the Wednesday morning Fiona drove out in the car which was good as we could get around and leave Rafe in the park so we got to get a few things and go out for lunch and check out some shops while Liam was at school.
Eye on the line
On the Friday morning, our last day, Grant popped his head in the door and said we had to vacate temporarily so the road markers could come in and give the park a flash new paint job on the parking areas.
The new paint with everyone on the grass behind.
There were about 10 or so Caravans and Motorhomes and one by one we shifted into the slightly damp grass paddock next door. We were a bit lucky having only one Caravan behind a light van losing traction which we pushed out. No harm done and everyone was still smiling 🙂
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged slide show.
The Pink Caravan
Nice seeing the sunshine again
The painters were only there for a couple of hours and made it look easy while we all watched on. There were a few jokes about wobbly lines and late nights but they did an amazing job.
A Flashback to 2015.. Click on the Gallery to view
Back in 2015
From coming here when the park first opened, Ardmore park is looking really good and is a credit to all those volunteers who have pitched in over the years.
We left on the Friday and headed home.
Rafe’s Tracker map home from Ardmore NZMCA Park – Armada GPS
The Ferry’s were chocker and the number of people we’d met while travelling that were having trouble getting bookings made me think, “I’d better make sure we’re in Picton in plenty of time for the ferry”!
Click on any Image to Enlarge
We left Richmond about 8:30am and headed straight for Havelock for morning tea. Our check in time was 1pm at Picton. We arrived in Havelock at 9:30am and had morning tea eventually getting to Picton just after 11 so making it with plenty of time.
We went the long way around the coast past Momorangi Bay where we’d stayed a few years ago in wee Rafe, our wee Caravan.
On arriving in Picton, we found a good park outside a Pub in Picton by the Railway Station. As we walked in, I received a text from Bluebridge saying that they had communication issues and they’re eftpos system was having a moment and could be have cash for anything we wanted on board.
I don’t do cash at all these days so we decided that we’d have lunch where we were at the Sports Bar. What a great decision too as the Seafood Chowder was something else. Washed down with a G&T as you do.. a perfect start for our trip on the ferry!
In the Queue
At 12:30, I thought we’d better head over and check in and although we were early, there were several rows of Motorhomes and Caravans already there.. good call I thought 🙂
Just after 1:15 pm, they starting loading us on the ferry.
Fiona on the Landing pad on the way out the Marlborough sounds
We’d booked a cabin so it was a rush for the shower 🙂 Then we were mostly up on the deck enjoying clear blue sky all the way over.
The Tory ChannelThe Tory channel looking south
We arrived just after 6pm and started heading north. We’d decided between us that as the new transmission gulley motorway was open, we’d go as far as we could stopping for tea along the way and maybe get to the brand new NZMCA park at Foxton.
Rafe in the garage. Fiona ready to go!
What great park and although it was just 7:30pm, it was dark but there was plenty of room and keeping the parking simple with plenty of room around us made it easy.
The Foxton NZMCA parkGreat parking
There were a few motorhomers parked together in the corner with a small contained fire to keep them warm which was nice, and there were others well spread out so that made it really easy to park.
Easy to see where you are.
In the morning I went for a look around and signed in and once I’d found the “fridge”!. Its a fantastic park and although I’m not sure that we’d do the drive after a ferry trip again, like we had all the way from Nelson, I’m sure its perfect option for Plimmerton with the new Motorway.
The crew in the corner
A really nice park with plenty of room next to the Foxton Racecourse grandstand in a separate area.
Rafe’s Tracker map to Fox / Upper Moutere – Armada GPS
Hanmer is one of those old favourite spots as we have had some epic family reunions here. Add the hot pools and it doesn’t get any better so we were quite looking forward to popping in for a night on our way up to Nelson.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Hanmer Hotel
We arrived in perfect weather having come through from Oxford bang on lunch time.
At the NZMCA park
We managed to get a park in the main street by the trees and set out for somewhere to eat. We settled on a Home made pie from a Kiosk on the corner. Yum!
We were still fizzing from the Stewart Island trip as we headed towards our next stop which was Te Anau.
Click on any Image to enlarge
Lake Te Anau
On the ferry on the way back from Stewart Island, I booked a deal through the NZMCA with Fiordland Tours where they would pick us up from the club park in Te Anau in a small coach, and take us to Milford Sound. We would then get on a boat for a cruise through Milford Sound with guides all the way and back to Te Anau.
Te Anau NZMCA park
The weather was looking fantastic. With the disappointment of not doing the wings over Wanaka, our original reason for coming down to the South, I was a bit reluctant to book too far out in case something came up or the weather wasn’t looking good. It worked !! We had perfect weather.
Fiona at NZMCA park Te Anau
We arrived in Te Anau early in the afternoon and parked on the lakefront for half an hour or so for a look around. Fiona went for a quick look through some of the shops.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow
Fiona at NZMCA park Te Anau
Lake of Mirrors
Cascade Creek walk
Lake Gunn
Mitre Peak
The boat we were on
Mitre Peak looking very majestic… Stunning
Cruising in Milford Sound
Huge Waterfall
From our waterfront walk.
We then rocked into the NZMCA park which is about 1k or so out of the town. Its a nice park with rural views.
At 8am the next morning, the coach turned up and we were off towards Milford Sound. It has been years since I was down here so I’d completely forgotten the lie of the land except I remembered this awful road so we were happy being driven by someone who knew the road and it wasn’t any where near as bad as I remembered.
Amazing Eglington Valley
Our first stop was in an amazing valley surrounded by mountains with a little bit of fog. A lovely spot. Don’t forget to click on these images to have a decent look at them!
We then headed off towards the mirrored lakes and had a stroll through the trees on a boardwalk looking at the reflections. Nice !
Cascade Creek walk
Back in the coach and then we stopped at a small walk down to another lake called Cascade Creek which backs onto Lake Gunn. A nice stroll and lovely place. The next stop after this was to see the Falls Creek Waterfall and then we went through the Homer Tunnel.
Lake Gunn
We arrived in Milford and boarded a really nice double decker party boat and set off fairly quickly towards Mitre Peak. You feel so small among these huge mountains all around.
We were lucky to see some rare Hector Dolphins just by Mitre peak which were the largest pod the skipper had every seen in Milford.
Mitre Peak looking very majestic… Stunning
We then we headed out further through the sound towards the Tasman sea. The trip took about 90 minutes but was amazing. It is really nice to get to see and feel the size and scale of these huge mountains which you don’t appreciate from the postcards.
Looking back into Milford Sound from the Tasman seaMitre Peak
On the way back we spotted a seal having a snooze on a rock and others playing in the water and then came to a massive waterfall. The skipper put the nose of the boat into the falls for those interested in having a shower to get wet 🙂
A happy sealHuge Waterfall
We were taken for a walk along the waterfront in Milford before getting back on the coach to head back to Te Anau.
The boat we were on
A great trip and well worth doing.. check out the Deals on the NZMCA web site.
An absolutely stunning trip and well worth doing with a great crew.
We left Plimmerton really early as we had heard that both ferry companies were under the pump.
Arriving almost 45 minutes early, the queues were already established so everyone else had the same idea 🙂 Just as well Bluebridge were letting people in early.
Click on any image to enlarge
In the queue
I sort of look forward to the ferry crossing but always with some nervousness of getting Rafe on and getting across to Picton without damage but so far, there’s never been an issue.
Getting a cabin was an exceptional idea as as soon as we got on board and got our cabin, we were off to a shower and a tidy up before getting something to eat and drink.
About to leave Wellington
The weather was looking good and we were looking forward to an easy sailing.
Oriental Bay
We spent quite a bit of time up on deck taking it all in. I was amazed by the number of windmills on the hills along the coast.
Coming into the sounds, The InterislanderRafe in the garage below
We arrived in Picton on time and headed for a Road Café just south of Blenheim for a cuppa and something to eat before we cruised on to Kaikoura. A very pleasant crossing.
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 
You must be logged in to post a comment.