Author Archives: malsnaize

All good things must come to an end and so did our holiday. After possibly one of the worst night sleeps on tour (due to the steep angle of the vehicle at Algies Bay carpark) we made our way to the French Cafe for coffee and croissant. Fortunately the group of old fogies in bikeContinue reading “12 Jul 2020 Algies Bay to Home”

It turned out to be a good decision to overnight at Miranda the previous night as we found that the beginning of todays drive was quite challenging with more winding small roads to navigate as we went up the coast. It was worth the detour though as we arrived at sunny Kawakawa Bay where weContinue reading “11 July 2020 Miranda Park to Algies via Silverdale”

Was an absolute delight to wake to the sound of nature (with a hint of a distant motorway). It seems that there were only 3 residents in Pin Oak and all dispersed nicely to avoid any neighbour disturbance. The sun was shining and not a care in the world Getting to the Pin Oak campsiteContinue reading “10 July 2020 Mclaren Falls Park to Miranda Park”

The morning started with a cool wake up with the temperature being close to +1 C. Fortunately our central heating kept us nice and warm inside the van! We werre unable to book a last minute tour in Rotorua in the morning, so we headed north towards Mount Maunganui. A stop at Okere Falls wokeContinue reading “09 July 20 Rotua to Tauranga”

Our morning started with the usual lazy start but with the bonus of a “proper” shower provided by Kohutapu Lodge. Our host, Nadene (Nades) met with Tiina last night and promised to look into a guided tour; true to her word, around 10am we were greeted by the smile of Heme who was to beContinue reading “08 July 2020 Kohutapu Lodge to Rotorua”

Another stormy night behind us with the van shaking about all night in the wind we were finally woken up by logging trucks and their engine braking starting at 5.30am (one even honked their horn to make sure all campers have noticed them!) We headed off towards Opotiki for a coffee and morning tea. TheContinue reading “07 July 2020 Te Kaha to Kohutapu Lodge”

Our usual routine of a lazy start to the day brought us coffee/tea and a small bite in the campervan and by 9.30 we were on our way towards Te Kaha via a long loop around the top of East Cape. A common theme was very very rough seas (probably enhanced by the inbound weatherContinue reading “06 July 2020 Tokomaru Bay to Te Kaha”

A night of suspense turned into morning and the rocket launch was still going ahead… We took a spot by the road with a clear view to the hills we expected to see the rocket from. Mal had his laptop with live feed running from Rocket lab with him as well. As the countdown reachedContinue reading “05 July 20 Mahia to Tokomaru Bay”

Alas our plan to watch the latest Rocket Lab launch was scuppered – allegedley due to winds but we woke to a stunning calm and sunny morning – really not sure why they didnt launch. But no matter – we got to see a completely different looking beach to yesterday We decided to go upContinue reading “04 July 20 Mahia Peninsula”

The morning started lovely and sunny in Wairoa. We had a look at the town centre with new eyes and made it to the cafe which was recommended to us, finally now it was open. It’s a little sad that Wairoa has become quite run down. That said, the locals remain super friendly. There’s aContinue reading “03 July 20 Wairoa to Mahia Peninsula”

Enjoyed morning coffee with an old PDNZ colleague of Tiinas before we set off to our next location of Wairoa. It was a scenic and hilly journey on winding roads. Wairoa is a small town with a population of about 4500 people and has a feel of a small town too. It used to haveContinue reading “02 July Napier to Wairoa”

Dannevirke is an intresting little town which highlights its Viking roots. We saw the same kind of theme further north in Norsewood (of course!) There are some quickly little walks with signage in what looks like could be old Norse script – but fortunately with translation to English for those of you who can’t readContinue reading “01 July Dannevirke to Napier”

We couldn’t resist the cafe in Masterton we discovered yesterday so we enjoyed late breakfast there after escaping the storm in Castlepoint. Our next stop was Pukaha Mt Bruce, National wildlife centre. A really worthwhile place to visit, they’ve done a great job in creating authentic bush, close-up access to various birds and native NZContinue reading “30 June 20 Castlepoint to Dannevirke”

Pure luck got me up in time to view this amazing morning and sunrise on our first morning at Castlepoint! (Tiina) Later we climbed up some of the rocks near the lighthouse

You might recall from our post yesterday, we’d parked up in the incredible entrance to the pinnacles. Totally isolated and the only sound to be heard was the burbling River right next to us. That was until we were lit up by the headlights of a second campervan and then the continuous opening and closingContinue reading “27 June 20 Putangiruru Pinnacles to Masterton”

If you ever wake up to shreeks like someone was being strangled.. just check out the window first as it could also be geese as it was in our case waking up at Henley Park beside a lake! We had success finding the best cafe in town for a late breakfast, found a lovely NewContinue reading “28 June 20 Masterton to Castlepoint”

Enjoyed a free bus ride into Wellington where they have waived fares due to COVID until 01 July. Watching the different quirky houses in Wellington City is so interesting! After popping into Moore Wilson’s for a few speciality groceries and a general nosy we had breakfast at Gypsy kitchen and returned to pick up theContinue reading “25 June 20 Wellington to Martinborough”

Thanks to Dave and Sharon for their previous evenings hospitality and the morning’s ablusions; god how lovely it was to be showering in something larger than a shoebox. A drive into town made us realise that town-driving and a 7,5m campervan do not go hand in hand; a wrong turn and here we are drivingContinue reading “24 June 20 Porirua to Wellington (and Weta Workshop)”

Enjoyed nice long showers at the Top10 campground (felt like daylight robbery paying for parking there so might as well make the most out of long showers!) Headed to the i-site to get some advice about the road to Cape Palliser and headed off after a coffee and filling the tank. A short drive broughtContinue reading “26 June 20 Martinborough to Putangiruru Pinnacles”

Waking in the morning and not discussing the previous evening’s sticky situation of the bogged down campervan, we two intrepid explorers made plans for the day ahead which would deliver the stunning Kapiti, an amazing collection of vintage cars and culminate in a catch-up evening of food, drink, double-entendres and chaotic discussion – a typicalContinue reading “23 June 20 Manakau to Whitby, Porirua”

We woke up to a beautiful morning and low tide, perfect conditions to check out the famous rock formations on the beach, the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock. Some other campers told us that there is also a penguin colony here, but we must have missed them before they headed out to sea. Next stop,Continue reading “15 June 20 The Three Sisters and Elephant Rock – New Plymouth”

A great week spent with all the family down in New Plymouth Highlights of the week included: Spending time with and babysitting little Wolfe (6months) and Noah (23 months) Living in the driveway of Helayna and Anthony’s house and many lovely evenings with them Curry night! Roast pork dinner, roast beef dinner, pizza’s at MsContinue reading “15 – 21 June New Plymouth with family”

Today we started a long tikitour to see a few less visited natural sights beyond Waitomo Village. First stop – Marokopa Falls A short 600m walk from the carpark (after a winding small road that took ages to navigate) takes you to these amazing 35 metre high waterfalls. These falls are counted amongst the mostContinue reading “14 June 20 Lake Arapuni to Three Sisters and Elephant Rock”

Waking up to a stunning morning at Waiinu Beach A brisk walk down the beach looking for seals – but in vane.. Tiina claimed to see dolphins, Orka, and a mermaid I think – nothing to be seen when I looked. So onwards now towards Foxton via Wanganui and Bulls Whanganui – who’da thought it?Continue reading “22 June 20 Waiinu Beach to Manakau (and lessons learned)”

A little sad saying bye to Helayna & Anthony, Chloe & Dan and the littllies Noah and Wolfe and Kym. I forgot how crazy life is with the girls and miss them already.. Quite interesting keeping an eye on Mount Taranaki. driving anti-clockwise around the mountain then seeing it from the South after spending aContinue reading “21 June 20 New Plymouth- Hawera – Waiinu”

These are the beautiful Blue Springs at Putaruru. Lots of crazy facts to read up on,such as that it takes up to 100 years for the water to travel from its source at the Mamaku Plateau to reach the springs. The water is so pure through natural filtration that it is used for around 60%Continue reading “13 June 20 Onewhero – Blue Springs – Lake Arapuni”

Onewhero holds a lot of memories for us, For many, many years, we have been regular visitors to this small town just around the corner from Port Waikato. Our grand tour couldnt start better than a roast dinner and a few drinkies at the farm with our great friends, Bob and Di. Our home forContinue reading “12 June 20 Whangarei to Onewhero”