Tag Archives: Small Towns

Northland

Stopping in at Dargaville

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At the top of the Kaipara Harbour, Dargaville is one of those magic little towns and with the river on two sides, the NZMCA park here is one of the best. The park is literally a hop, skip and a jump to the township.

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Park on the right bank, town on the left.

I first visited years ago, not long after the park opened, and it has remained a favourite ever since. What makes this park so unique are the beautiful old historic buildings on-site.  They were used to construct Shackleton’s boats for his Antarctic expeditions. It’s incredible that the NZMCA has been able to preserve and make use of them. The local NZMCA team has done a fantastic job restoring one of the buildings, even replacing the mezzanine floor that had seen better days. It’s looking amazing now!

The “Shackleton Buildings”
One of the Shackleton Sheds

Just over the bridge is the heart of Dargaville itself, an easy five-minute walk away.

Looking through the town, just 5 minutes walk away.

One of the highlights of this park is the seat overlooking the river at the far end of the property. Sitting there, gazing out at the water and the Dargaville Bridge in the distance, you can’t help but feel a sense of calm. It’s the perfect spot to zone out and soak it all in.

Looking back from the Magic Chair

As you walk back from this magic perch, you’ll pass a transformed area that used to be bush and trees but is now a stunning garden. It’s a delight to wander through, complete with a dinghy and a weather monitor adding quirky charm to the space.

Weather Monitor

The Garden!
Looking back to the parking

The Dargaville Museum, just a short drive up the road, is another must-see. It’s one of the best in the region, offering fascinating insights into local history. While you’re there, you’ll also find a conveniently located dump station.

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Great spot to Clear the head.
The local
From the road
Weather Monitor
The “Shackleton Buildings”

Dargaville is a fantastic little town, and it’s always a treat to come back and see how things have evolved. The upgrades to the NZMCA park are a bonus, but the town’s timeless charm remains its greatest draw.

Rafe’s tracker map to Dargaville – Armada GPS
Waikato

The Antique Capital and Kaiaua Adventure

Heading towards Kaiaua for our final night away, we decided to pass through another favorite spot—Paeroa, often hailed as Antique Heaven! With its abundance of vintage shops and quirky finds, it’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and hunt for treasures.

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We both enjoyed a wander through some of the charming antique stores. Fiona, of course, took a longer and more thorough look around while I kept my browsing short and sweet. After about an hour of soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere, we decided it was time to move on.

The drive to Kaiaua was pleasant, and upon arriving at the NZMCA park, we were relieved to find plenty of room. After settling in and opening the vents to let some air circulate through the truck, we couldn’t resist heading straight over to the pub next door.

The beer garden was the perfect spot on such a beautiful day. With a G&T in hand, we soaked up the relaxed atmosphere, enjoying the live music and the warm sunshine. Given my fair European complexion, the shade quickly became my best friend as we unwound in the early evening.

After a bit of a break back in the truck, accompanied by a much-needed cuppa, we made our way back to the pub for dinner. The meal was fantastic, the perfect way to end our day and, indeed, our holiday.

As we savored the evening, reflecting on our trip, it was clear that this was a fitting finale to a wonderful adventure. The combination of good food, great company, and superb weather made for an unforgettable last day.

Rafe’s tracker map to Kaiaua – Armada GPS
Coromandel 2025, Waikato

Magic Coromandel

The morning after Christmas, we hit the road bound for Coromandel Town. Despite being Boxing Day, the traffic was surprisingly light, making the drive smooth and easy. We stopped at Kopu for some diesel before continuing up the coast toward our destination.

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The NZMCA park at Coromandel when we arrived.

Arriving late in the morning, we checked into the NZMCA park, got the jug boiling for a much-needed coffee, and opened the vents. With the air conditioning finally off, it was great to let some fresh air flow through, perfect for the warm day ahead.

Our favourite spot in the Town. The Star and Garter.

Hungry from the drive, we headed into town in search of lunch. Being a public holiday, many places were closed, but we lucked out with a fantastic little Turkish spot serving mouthwatering chicken wraps. A great find!

Neat shops
I never get sick of seeing this.

After lunch, we made our way to one of our favorite spots, the Star and Garter Bar for a refreshing drink. From there, we wandered down to the Four-Square supermarket for a few essentials and then strolled over to the marina to admire the boats.

The Marina

There’s something special about Coromandel. Even though we’ve visited many times before, it never loses its charm. With its unique atmosphere and welcoming vibe, it’s always a pleasure to spend a few days here.

A bit of traffic downtown but nothing to get concerned about 🙂
A Mural on the side of one of the shops

Over the years, we’ve sampled several of the local cafés and bars, and they’ve all been top-notch. This visit was no exception.

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Looking down the road towards the wharf.
A Mural on the side of one of the shops
The Marina

After a leisurely afternoon of exploring and soaking up the laid-back vibe, we returned to the truck to escape the heat and enjoy some well-earned chill time. Nothing beats relaxing in Coromandel.

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

A quick trip away in the cold!

It’s cold and the weather isn’t that flash, but it was time to give Rafe a fright by getting on a highway or two.

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Nigel no mates 🙂

My first destination was the Kaiaua NZMCA park and being a Wednesday afternoon, it was no real surprise to find there was only one other vehicle there, but we were joined by another Motorhome later in the day. It rained most of the day, but it was nice and warm and there were a few movie endings I wanted to see on Netflix to keep me going 🙂

Later I wandered over to the pub next door for a glass of wine and managed to catch the 2nd half of the NZ womans 7’s team winning a medal… fantastic.

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Quiet in Kaiaua
One of the main streets in Thames
The Paeroa Pub
The main street in Paeroa

In the morning, it was still pretty gloomy, but I went for a bit of a walk around with the camera. It is very different here mid-week with unfavourable weather, that’s for certain. Here’s what it looked like a few months ago.

Free parking in Thames
A place to see in Thames

After packing up and stowing things for travel, I thought I’d head for Thames to check out a spot for next year’s Dethleffs Owners group. Finding accommodation for 40 plus vehicles that also takes Dogs that we haven’t been to, is not all that easy.

Our new venue for the get together next year.

After ringing ahead, I later met Kevin who showed me around out next venue which is perfect and an easy walk or bike to the shops. Its in the diary and we’re all ready steady go for early next year.

Free parking in Paeroa

Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I thought while I was out and about, I’d pop out to Paeroa which is only 20 k’s away and settled into a spot in the council provided freedom camping at the end of the main street. A great spot and for $5 I had power too for the heater… it was cold!

The Paeroa Pub

The next morning after a look around Paeroa, I headed back to Auckland stopping at Ngatea for Diesel and the Dump Station. A nice couple of nights away. A flashback to a recent trip to Paeroa.

Rafe’s tracker map to Thames and Paeroa – Armada GPS
Waikato

Matariki in Raglan

There is something different about Raglan. It has an atmosphere all of its own and sitting on the balcony of the Pub in the main street with a glass of wine, even though it was freezing, I was just enjoying soaking it up. 🙂

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The Pub

We left Auckland well after everyone else on the Saturday and arrived in Whatawata just in time for lunch. As I parked Rafe out of the street, I was just getting out of the truck when I met Hilary and Lyn who we last saw at a Dethleffs do at Miranda. They live just around the corner from the Cafe and it was nice to see them again.

After a cup of tea with them and some nibbles, we set off towards Raglan.

Due to the economic downturn and a cold winter, Raglan have been doing a pay for two nights, get a third night for free so we jumped into that with both feet 🙂

The Three Dethleffs, Us, The Grand Alpa and the Pulse.

Arriving in Raglan, we found we were parked right next to one of the biggest Dethleffs on the market and the newest, one of the XLI Grand Alpas with the rear Lounge. Our Globe 4 being one of the oldest Dethleffs in NZ, it was a bit of the old with the young 🙂 There was also a Dethleffs Pulse on the other side. 🙂

That afternoon, we decided to head into the town to check things out.

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Action in the street
Mt view of the world from the pub balcony 🙂
A neat second hand shop on the way to the wharf.
The wharf with the Silos you can stay in.
Boats comng back in
Looking towards the Campground from the walkway from town.
Walkers on the beach

After lunch, Fiona had a look around the shops and I went and had a glass of Chardonnay on the balcony overlooking the street and watched the world go by.

Looking out from a Restaurant we had Lunch towards the Sea.

The next day we had lunch at a Restaurant overlooking the water and then walked around to the wharf. There is a neat fish and chip shop there along with a Leatherworks, a Pottery Gallery which we’ve bought some things from before and are very good.

Walking towards the wharf. The Silos peering over the top.
The wharf with the Silos you can stay in.

The Museum is well setup there and has a souvenir shop inside and it is well worth a visit. Lots of interesting images of how Raglan used to be.

The beach behind the campground.
Lovely on the beach despite the lack of sunshine.

A fantastic three days in a neat spot. The weather closed in a bit on the last day so my trip to the beach looking for some images of blue sky didn’t quite pan out.

Sun going down.

It was very pleasant down there sitting on a log for half an hour or so watching the sun go down.

Rafe’s tracker map to Raglan – Armada GPS
Waikato

Easter at the Raceway

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With the next Dethleffs get together coming up this weekend in Rotorua, Fiona and I headed off to one of our favourite wee towns, Cambridge. Staying at the Raceway on the edge of town, this was where we had last year’s Dethleffs do under and around a big tree.

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The Greyhounds under the tree’s where the Dethleffs do was.
Great parking behind the grandstand

Getting down there with the Easter traffic was painful as we left it a bit late, and it took hours.

Looking out from the stand

This year, we left the bikes behind which was a mistake in hindsight, but we ended up having several big walks into and around town.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The pub overlooking the town.
The Main street
Nice old Buildings
Cambridge Town Hall

There’s a big Cafe in the middle of town called the Deli which makes amazing coffee and also has some nice options for lunch. Being Easter, most of the shops were shut but it was still nice looking around.

Fantastic Cafe

The Racecourse also has a Bar and Restaurant called the Clubroom, which was open only on the Saturday night, so we headed there for a G&T. But there is an amazing Hamburger place underneath the Clubrooms all painted orange so you can’t miss it. Fantastic burgers and with the park being pretty full of NZMCA Caravans and Motorhomes, there were plenty of customers for them.

Cambridge Raceway

A nice weekend away and great parking in a nice place.

Rafe’s tracker map to Cambridge – 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

Catching up with Good Friends in Wanganui

Our old neighbours from Devonport, Terry and Lisa moved to Wanganui quite a few years ago and lived directly across the road from us for many years. Terry was involved in the bag business for many years, and I photographed his bags for his catalogues, both on film and digital for many years.

My endearing memory of Terry was him on our doorstep in his dressing gown early on the morning of 9/11 getting us up and getting in front of the TV where we remained glued to the set for hours! It was a memorable day.

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Wanganui River

We last caught up with them a few years ago when we popped into Wanganui and had a meal with them at Carolines, a neat Restaurant that used to have an attached camping area which is sadly now closed.

Us parked next to Terry and Lisa’s new house.

Stepping back to the travel…. After leaving Tawhiti, we headed on to Terry and Lisa’s new House in Wanganui and a very fortuitous empty section next door 🙂

Fantastic to see them again and catch up with all our news. They’re a great couple and the meal was fantastic. Their house is really nice and perfect for them with minimal maintenance.

In the morning, Terry took us to show us his Warehouse for his Luggage business.

Lovely old buildings

After we left Terry and Lisa, we went on into Wanganui central to have a quick look at the river before we left via Marton to head for a favourite spot at Mangaweka on our trek home.

The tram rumbling by on the waterfront

Thanks again for having us for tea and it was lovely to see you in your new house.

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