It also has quite a large Motel and Wedding reception area as part of it and since we were here last, they’ve added some some nice wee chalets which they call the Boathouses.
The Boathouses
The trees have grown, the loo and shower complex which they were installing last time are up and running and it is all looking really good.
Great view out across Omaha Bay
Being part of the NZMCA Camp saver program for off season parking is a bonus too.
Plenty of room
As we arrived, Ian and Heather were out wielding their tools adding baseboards to their accomodation at one end of the complex and although they were ovbiously busy, they couldn’t have more accomodating helping us to get setup.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The Lounge
Kitchen
Inside one of the Boathouses
Great view out across Omaha Bay
The Wedding Reception parking
Nice Wedding area
The Boathouses
The new Loo, Laundry and Shower block
The Motels
The Motels
It’s nice to hear that they’ve been so busy as it really is a top place and very handy to a good Cafe and the pub is just around the corner.
The Reception area
The view out to Tawharanui Peninsular is spectacular.
View out to Tawaharanui
We really enjoyed coming back here and will be back more often. A lovely spot.
Our aim after leaving Lowburn was to stay at Fairlie after getting a freezer full of one of the best pies in the South Island. They’re known as “Fairlie good pies” around the south but I reckon they’re Fairlie Amazing pies. Pork Belly with crackling, Chicken and Salmon and some other amazing options.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Taken under a light in the Rafe – Pork Belly with the Crackling all ready eaten 🙂
After stopping at Lake Pukaki for lunch we hurtled on to Fairlie.
The place to stay in Fairlie is the Fairlie Holiday Park which is also taking part in the NZMCA’s Camp Saver program.
Nice parking
$20 a night for a powered site with everything else available. There is a dump station, great Toilets and showers in several places and a huge council playground right next door for the little ones.
They also have Dogs on leashes.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
One of the Motel Units
Motels
Gents washbasins
This motorcamp up until about 6 years ago was part of the Top Ten network but closed. Mary Jane and her partner Dutchie have taken it from there and it looks fantastic.
Kitchen and Laundry
It is also only 5 minutes walk into the main shopping area one way and is next to a lovely huge river on the other side.
Looking through to the playground
Being able to park for the night in sites like this on the Camp Saver program is just fabulous and long may it continue and grow.
After parting ways with Rob at Alexandra, we set off towards Queenstown and then Glenorchy. Good old GPS took us right through the main shopping area of Queenstown. We were heading for the pedestrian mall at one stage 🙂
Click on an Image to see Hi Res
On the way to Glenorchy
Once out of Queenstown, it was a fun drive. We stopped along the way at a lookout over Lake Whakatipu for lunch and then carried on. The road was up and down all the way to Glenorchy but amazing scenery.
The Glenorchy HotelThe Motorhome parking at the Hotel
We checked in at the Glenorchy Hotel where they have CSC Motorhome parking for $12 with power which is great.
Amazing little town. The main street
After settling down Rafe, we set off to have a quick look around and of course ended up in the Pub in front of the fire.
Tourists on the wharf
In the morning, we used the Laundry here to get through the washing before the forecast rain came.
Looking up from the main street at Mt Larkins
Later, the weather was closing in and we had an amazing thunderstorm which went on for about three hours. Its amazing hearing the boom echo off the mountains and the ferocity of the lightning was something else too.
Looking westward towards the weather!
It was fun tucked up listening and watching 🙂
Looking across to Mount Bonpland
After breakfast, we set off for a walk down through the town as the wind got up, the sun came out and the mountains around us looked amazing.
The Famous Red ShedLooking back at Mt Larkins from the wharf
Fiona went for a walk around the Glenorchy lagoon which she said was nice.
Its a nice wee town and interesting to see a few big back up generators around. They must have a few weather related power issues from time to time.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 65.17 mbps
Upload : 13.49 mbps
Ping : 89 ms
It was a cold, foggy and clammy day with a bit of drizzle thrown in but we were keen to bike into Alexandra from where we were staying about 7 k’s from Alex at Derek and Andrea’s Park over Property.
In the unpowered area
Its a big space with plenty of powered sites, a toilet, $2 shower and a laundry along with water. And its $12 per van!
Us next to a Burstner Elegance of some other fulltime Jaffas’
From here its and easy ride to either Clyde or Alexandra and the Otago Rail Trail is just 1/2 a kilometre away.
Click on an Image for Hi Res – (Iphone images)
The old Alexandra bridge supports
After a coffee and a quick look around in Alex, we found the end of the trail by the bridge and set off along the river towards Clyde. Its about 12k and is supposed to take about 45 minutes.
Looking back at Alex
Its a great ride and we came across several coming the other way on bikes and a few walkers.
Crossing a small Waterfall
About half way along there are old tailings where a lot of Gold was discovered, and there is what looks like an old drill bit from days gone by. When I say drill bit, its about 6ft in diameter so not something that would fit the Black and Decker !
Fiona with the giant drill bit
We averaged about 15-18kph along the ride as its quite different from the Rail Trail (avg 25kph) with a few curves around trees and ups and down but this makes it a fun ride.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Its easy to see the history of this vehicle. At Derek and Andreas CAP
Us next to the Elegant lines of a Burstner
Getting down to the riverside at Alex
Looking towards Clyde from Alex
Interesting track
Clash of ages
Dunstan House in Clyde
It runs alongside the river and in several places you cross bridges, ride on boardwalks and there is even a small waterfall. Well worth doing. It took us a little more than ½ hour.
Interesting track
Eventually we came to the Clyde Bridge and rode off into Clyde.
At the finish line Clyde bridge.. 12k’s
A fun day
The Netspeed Speedtest at Derek and Andreas CAP
Download : 41.79 mbps
Upload : 5.31 mbps
Ping : 66ms
Today was washing day.. two big loads to catch up while a brisk Nor wester was there to dry it all.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Fiona using the power pole clothesline 🙂
The washing line was a hoot. Two shortened power poles with the washing line wire in between. It worked a treat.
We’re staying at The Crows Nest which is a very small campground in the main street of Oturehura with cabins for Bike Trail people. There are only two powered sites but I’m sure the host Bill, could rustle up some more if the need arose. Its all here though and exceptional value at $20 per van for two with power.
The hosts are fantastic and although Bill was originally from Winton, for most of his life, he and his wife Mal, have been in the Tauranga area for quite a while but have now settled here. They’re lovely people and very helpful.
Fiona off up to the Poolburn Dam.. great colours
The next morning, Fiona organised the washing and I got the bikes ready. Once the wash was out, we were off on our way up to the Poolburn Viaduct. An easy ride although a lot more gravel on the trail here making it harder to ride on than other parts of the trail.
Auripo Station looking back towards OturehuraThe Poolburn Viaduct .. took 3 years to build.
The colours and the landscape was just amazing. With the clouds doing strange things with the wind over the hills, it was really interesting for piccies.
Over the hills from the Viaduct looking out towards Lauder
I averaged about 20 odd Kph despite the gravel but stopped a lot for piccies with my phone. Some amazing spots.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Fiona coming out of the Tunnel.. her light worked this time!
How’s that Nor Wester !
One of the cabins
One of the flasher cabins
Next to the General store
Fiona checking images of the soldiers at the Anzac display
Sunset of the Ida Valley hills
We ended up doing about 30 odd K’s for the round trip over nearly two hours.
People enjoying a walk on the TrailOutside the camp looking back at the hills on dusk.. stunning
After cleaning up and locking the bikes, we headed off for a walk to have a look at the town ending up in the pub!
Click on this Gallery for the old time General Store!
The General Store
The way it used to be before shopping malls.
Fiona buying some bread
Some of the collectibles
Great Hotel and its for sale
A neat wee town and we’ve decided to stay another couple of nights to have a good look around.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 59.00 mbps
Upload : 20.10 mbps
Ping : 71 ms
Fiona wanted to bike up to Hyde from the Rock and Pillar so after leaving Middlemarch, we stopped at the Rock and Pillar area where we’d biked to the day before and got her ready.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Fiona arriving at Hyde
The plan was she was going to bike up to Hyde and I would meet her there in Rafe and then we’d go onto Ranfurly for the night for the next part of the trail.
Waiting for Fiona at Hyde
She made it to Hyde in quite good time and decided she wanted to ride further up the trail so I stopped at Daisyside where the trail ran right alongside the road and there was an easy carpark for Rafe and we put her bike on and off we went to Ranfurly.
Off to daisyfields
There was a Tunnel and a Viaduct and the complaint was the light didn’t work. Murphys law, the wires had come unplugged for the headlight just in time for the Tunnel so after plugging them back in, we were all good again.
Happy Hour in the corner at the NZMCA Park Ranfurly
We arrived in Ranfurly just in time for late lunch at the 4 square cafe and left with a bottle of wine for an afternoon in the blazing sun at the NZMCA park.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
The disaster was 1.5k’s North of this mark
The Hyde Railway Disaster Memorial
The Hyde Pub
Off to daisyfields
Nearly at Waipiata
The next morning, we got the bikes ready and both set off towards Waipiata.
On the way in the fog to Waipiata
Leaving Ranfurly in the fog, it was cold and the air on your hands on the trail was bitter.. I thought then, we should have thought about gloves but too late. The sun was starting to come out and more sun was appearing across the trail the further we went on.
The Waipiata Pub
By the time we got to Waipiata, the pub open sign was out and it was time for a Latte and time to warm up. We met some really nice people who were there as well with cups of Coffee warming up as well who were from Epsom and Greenlane. They were doing the whole trail over 5 days. They were heading in the same direction as us so after a chat, we all set off.
We followed them as far as Kokonga which was another 12 k’s or so and then turned around to head back to Ranfurly. Several bridges and some nice scenes..
The Ranfurly NZMCA park
Every bit of this trail is quite different and has a different look. A great day. It was nice to get back to the NZMCA park, meet our neighbours and enjoy a drink in the Ranfurly sunshine.
The Netspeed Speedtest
Download : 59.04 mbps
Upload : 20.06 mbps
Ping : 71 ms
We arrived in Middlemarch early in the afternoon and with the plan being to bike up to Hyde from there, I thought that might be optimistic but Hey Ho!
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Getting the Bikes ready
We were staying in Middlemarch Holiday park so we had power to charge up the bikes and so we could turn up the heat as it was forecast to be pretty cold!
The Kitchen in the camp
We were welcomed by the camp owner Susan who couldn’t have been more helpful and told to pick a site and plug in. Susan then went on to tell us that she had ridden the whole trail on her horse Wilson who was in the next paddock so she knew it well.
Susan with Wilson
It didn’t take long to get the bikes ready and we were off towards Hyde. It was just before 3pm when the shadows started to get longer and as we had to return to Middlemarch, I thought if we got as far as Rock and Pillar, we’d call it quits and have a go at Hyde the next day.
Fiona setting off from Middlemarch
What a great track and with the sun out a not a cloud around, but when we went behind the trees, it was cold. As we went on the shadows got longer but with the new Lecky bikes it was a lot of fun and basically, we did the round trip in just under an hour.
Some horses on the way
As it turned out, the sun hung up there longer than we thought and we might have made to Hyde.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Inside the Train kitchen
In the Train Kitchen
The Train Kitchen and outdoor space
At the Rock and Pillar
Heading home
It gave us a chance to get back and have a look around the camp which is neat. The Kitchen is made from an old railway carriage and fits into a covered seating area for people to sit and enjoy the area.
On the way back to Middlemarch
Macraes is famous for its size and as it was on the way to Middlemarch, we stopped at the lookout for a look at this amazing mine. Friends of ours had shown us this several years ago but it looked even bigger this time than I remember it.
Click on an Image to see Hi Res
The BIG Hole – To the left of the car on the road you’ll see the diggers in the pic belowLooking down in the BIG Hole
From the top the diggers and trucks were just little specks and you really have to look hard to see them doing their thing in the mine. Its massive!
The mine was opened in 1990 and since then has produced more than 5.7 tonnes of Gold.
The Boot Makers
After this we checked out the town ship which was basically the pub and a few historic old buildings.
The Pub at Macraes
Its amazing seeing all these places and this was one town that I had never seen.
About 3.5 years ago, Australian friends and business partners, John and Bruce bought a beautiful huge Mansion on the main road in Winchester, just a few k’s north of Temuka. It is called MiaFlora and is just amazing. It is open from Thursdays through to Sundays.
Click on the Images for HI Res (Cell ph pix)
Miaflora
The idea was to restore the house, landscape the gardens using unusual and larger items of Garden furniture and accessories and have a plant nursery around the back with everything that you can think of.
Unusual garden sculptre
Meanwhile inside the house and on the other side beside the house, John the talented Pastry Chef with his staff run the Cafe. The food is something else and the coffee superb, and of course it is all beautifully landscaped with Bruce’s directions.
The Cafe area inside
We caught up with old friends Ollie and Pam and they bought us to the Cafe. They also introduced us to Bruce and we enjoyed a fun ½ hour or so chatting about all sorts. He’s a real character and when you see the setup, very talented with things Green and Floral 🙂
Outside in front of the House
Miaflora
Ollie and Pam reflected in a Garden display
Outside Cafe seating by the stream
Fiona Ollie and Pam in the Garden centre
Ollie Pam and Fiona on the swing
The Masonic lodge over the road
Just remembering that Ollie is a Chef and he and Pam are pretty fussy with food and things Hospitality, MiaFlora is their bolthole when they want a break somewhere nice.
Fiona, Ollie and Pam
Directly over the road is the local masonic Lodge with a huge easy access and flat carpark that could be used for Motorhome parking.
One of the yummy cakes we had there
Definitely worth checking out next time you’re in the area.. MiaFlora
About a hundred years ago, Fiona trained to be a nurse with Pam. We became good friends with Pam and husband Ollie, and as they also lived in Devonport we kept in touch.
Cutting a long story short, after their children grew up, they eventually went for a change of lifestyle and bought their farm just out of Temuka and did up the farm house.
Click on an Image for Hi Res
Ollie and Pam
It was a massive restoration which included lifting it up and spinning it around to face the sun.
The Farmhouse
Ollie is a trained chef and along with his cooking skills and having Pam at his side, they’ve setup and run Olivers Farm Stay’s B&B.
We had just arrived at Winchester Domain Camping ground which is about 500 metres up the road from their B&B just as we did a couple of years ago.
Fiona looked a picture as she had just washed her hair and one side of her head all done up in curlers.. think Ena Sharples 🙂 .. Ollie and Pam pull up and pop their heads in the door.. 🙂
After a cup of tea in Rafe, they took us up the road to their local cafe in Winchester.
Several hours went by here and then we went straight to Ollie and Pams home for tea.
It was great to catch up on all the news about their family and where they were up to.
While we had a glass or two of nice wine, Ollie prepared the feast and it was just stunning. No wonder their overseas customers keep coming coming back when there is this standard of hospitality.
Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow
Ollie and Pam
Fantastic Oven
Cauliflower with sauce
Roasted Kumara !
And Chicken cooked to perfection
The time ticked by unoticed as it does when you’re having fun but what a magic night and lovely to catch up with them both again.
Roasted Kumara !
If you’re in the area or know someone who wants to be spoiled with great food, in a comfortable place with some great humour thrown in. Check out http://www.oliversfarmstay.co.nz
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.