Waterworks: surely the best fun you can have with recycled objects?!
From January 2011…
After a fantastic journey around the Coromandel peninsula we decided to travel inland from Coromandel Town on the infamous 309 road; a winding gravel road which connects the east and west of the peninsula through spectacular scenery and offers lots of interesting sights.
Like 100 wild pigs by the road…
Karangahake: Camping in an old gold-mining gorge
After our walk through the 1km old railway tunnel and back along the riverside (read Going for gold in the gorge) we travelled in the Kiwi Blog Bus through the gorge and over to our campsite for the evening.

We stayed at the Department of Conservation campsite at Dickeys Flat. Read More…
Whatever the weather
I read in the news today that here in New Zealand we have apparently just experienced one of the warmest Aprils on records.
(April’s record breaking sunshine. )
I must admit we had a pretty crappy summer this year but I can vouch that Autumn has so far made up for it.
New Zealand is supposed to have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons – but the weather can be very changeable and we often get four seasons in one day.
As in this well-known kiwi song by Crowded House…
Marvellous nature at Mangapohue Natural Bridge
The Kiwi Blog Bus recently took us to a magical location where we were not only awed by the amazing feats of nature but well and truly gobsmacked by it.
I’ve already said the road from Waitomo out to the west coast is simply stunning, read magnificent meanderings to Marokopa, but the highlight of the scenic trip has got to be a stop at Mangapohue natural bridge.
A short stroll on a riverside boardwalk takes you along the Mangapohue Stream through a steep limestone gorge and into the remains of an ancient cave system.
Magnificent meanderings to Marokopa
A 50km drive out west of Waitomo will lead you through an amazing limestone landscape to the historic west-coast fishing village of Marokopa.
We recently took the scenic route from Waitomo Caves (after we had stayed at Woodlyn Park), and I was blown away by the views along the way.

The road twisted and turned as New Zealand put on a good show of its rugged character and I could not stop taking pictures through a somewhat fly splattered windscreen. Read More…
What happens when you put two dogs in a bus?
As we travel around New Zealand in our trusty campervan, The Kiwi Blog Bus, we are always entertained by the antics of our fluffy friends, Jess and Pip the travelling dogs.
On occasions I think they are a pain in the rear end and I wonder why we choose to travel with them when often they could stay at home with the teenage son, but then… they look at you with those big eyes and all is forgiven.
Well almost all.. Read More…
Relaxed in Raglan
Today we ventured out in the Kiwi Blog Bus for a day trip to Raglan.
It’s the last day of our Easter school holidays and we felt the need to get out in the bus for one last holiday trip and enjoy the gorgeous indian summer we are having.
Raglan is a small town on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, about 50km from Hamilton. Read More…
More pictures from Thames
We called in at Thames on the way home the other day.
The old gold-mining town in the Coromandel is a particular favourite of ours and we like to stop and have a look round every time we are passing.
Free and fabulous in Tairua
There is a small car park overlooking Tairua harbour where, in an attempt to manage freedom camping, the local council have allocated two free overnight spaces for self-contained campervans.
Earlier this week we were lucky enough to get one of these much prized parking spots for the night.
Down at the beach… are you sure it’s Autumn?
Part of our recent trip away involved a night at Whangamata in the beautiful Coromandel.
We stayed overnight in an avocado orchard (an NZMCA POP site) which we have visited before, and then went into town for a spot of shopping and to visit the beach.










