RV Travel Lifestyle - September 2022

124 Pages·2022·159.7 MB·English

Enjoy the Dolce Vita.
The most beautiful part of a trip is the journey. The excitement
and the calm. Every encounter with nature and culture.
Everything that’s new, the enjoyment and movement. The desire
for beauty is fulfilled. With every Laika motorhome.
MADE IN ITALY. PERFECT FOR NZ ADVENTURES
Passion & Precision
In San Casciano in Val di Pesa, there is still the opportunity
to visit traditional, family-run work shops and to experience
the original Tuscan art of wood working up close. Laika
bring Italian workmanship and Tuscan style to the motor-
home scene and have been creating quality leisure vehicles,
without exception in San Casciano since 1964.
The EcoVip Range
Ecovip mobilehome – the historical series has been
the loyal companion of many families since 1992:
unforgettable experiences for lovers of adventure
and anyone who wants to travel in comfort and style.
Italian design and aesthetics combined with technical
details and the highest quality ensure that you always
feel at home.
The Kosmos Range
The Kosmo series is designed for families and couples
looking for a comfortable and versatile camper. It is ideal
for everyone who loves the outdoor lifestyle and for those
who want to experience new adventures.
The beginning of a great love story. With nature.
With the outdoor lifestyle. With freedom.
Regardless of whether you are travelling alone, with a
loved one, or with the whole family: The Kosmo series is
your uncomplicated entry into a world full of beauty,
comfort and flexibility.
Exclusive Laika agents, talk to us about the EcoVip and Kosmos ranges today.
www.rvmega.co.nz | 0800 278 479 | 101 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

Lifestyles and Destinations
7 (cid:49)(cid:544)(cid:77)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:67) – exploring Taranaki’s ‘Banana Belt’
CONTENTS
14 (cid:54)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:67)(cid:77)(cid:75) (cid:41)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:85) – the magic of the annual garden festival
20 (cid:50)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:544)(cid:84)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:87) – history and crystal clear waters explored
VOLUME 18
Sep-Oct 2022
26 (cid:47)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:75)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:71) – Sheryl explores the heart of this dairy town
31 (cid:57)(cid:74)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:544)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:356)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:89)(cid:67)(cid:85)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:3)(cid:35)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:57)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:47)(cid:544)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:35)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:67)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:91)
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R V PET
S
Road Trips, Walk and Cycle Trails
43 (cid:46)(cid:71)(cid:89)(cid:75)(cid:85) (cid:50)(cid:67)(cid:85)(cid:85) – geothermal pools and mountain camping explored
46 (cid:48)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:74) (cid:37)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:91)(cid:3)(cid:356)(cid:3)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:88)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:91)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:74)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:74)
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52 (cid:37)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:78) (cid:49)(cid:86)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:81) – Allan follows the old railway lines and trails Caspar’s C a p er
66 (cid:37)(cid:67)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:71) (cid:42)(cid:81)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:85) – volunteering for work with the Department of Conservation
WIN $500
Reviews – RV Profiles
INTERISLANDER
80 (cid:52)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:78)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:356)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:67)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:18)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:67)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:14)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:84)
FERRY VOUCHER
85 (cid:43)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:80)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:67)(cid:78) (cid:55)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:85) – John Rawling with all the latest international news and RV updates
93 (cid:37)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:78) RV – Dethleffs Nomad 490EST caravan SEE p120
96 (cid:52)(cid:81)(cid:67)(cid:70) (cid:53)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:91) – spring service check list and tyre safety
104 (cid:60)(cid:75)(cid:81)(cid:80) (cid:47)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:85) – luxury FRANKIA Platin i8400 Plus motorhome
109 (cid:52)(cid:81)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:71) RV – new APEX caravans
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70 (cid:53)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:356)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:67)(cid:80)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:67)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:14)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:75)(cid:86)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:67)
73 (cid:47)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:78) (cid:68)(cid:67)(cid:73) – readers share their thoughts and travels
76 RV (cid:36)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:356)(cid:3)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:67)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:77)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:81)(cid:80)
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79 (cid:39)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:86)(cid:85) – scheduled upcoming events 2022 BOOKS
TO BE WON
113 (cid:47)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:77)(cid:71)(cid:86) (cid:50)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:71) (cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:52)(cid:56)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:70)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:84)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:81)(cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:71)(cid:85)
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EDITOR’S
Letter to Readers
ISSN 2703-2477 (Print) ISSN 2703-2485 (Online)
Spring lambs

NZToday-RV Lifestye Vol 18 Sep-Oct 2022
www.rvlifestyle.co.nz
& blossoms
EDITOR
Robyn Mountain, [email protected]
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Bruce Mountain, [email protected] I am writing this near the end of the winter readers a North Canterbury holiday trip out
021 657 090
days, which have been wet and miserable of Christchurch. In Christchurch Kathy takes
SUB-EDITING & PROOFING
right through August all over the country, a walking tour of the fantastic mural artworks
Thiers Halliwell, Allan Walton
DESIGN Cameron Leggett with record-breaking rainfall for so many that provide such a relief on the city scape of
CONTRIBUTORS Sheryl & Neil Bainbridge, regions. It has been a harrowing, terrible time Christchurch since the earthquake. Then we join
John Bishop, Kathy Catton, Allan Dick, Jane Dove
for so many out there, and our positive thoughts Allan Dick, with Helen and Audrey on board in
Juneau, Richard Longley, Robyn Mountain,
go out to all those affected. the campervan for a road trip exploring following
Gary Patterson, DOC, John Rawling
During road trips up and down the North the rail lines and trails of Central Otago.
COVER PHOTO BY: Neil Bainbridge Whangarei
OBC PHOTO BY: Central RV Island over the past month we’ve seen an This issue is packed full of great reading and
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADMINISTRATION explosion of new life with lambs, calves and lots of opportunities to win latest-release books.
Subscriptions Manager Laura Atkinson
foals in the paddocks, and blossoms out all The events page is back so look out for tickets to
[email protected]
over, and it isn’t even officially spring yet – that be won, the games pages are back, and Caspar
Phone enquiries: 06 306 6041
is next week. Time for a spring clean of the RV has the $500 Interislander ferry voucher to be
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SUBSCRIPTION RATES and to get a service and safety check under won – find his paw print to enter.
One year $49.95 (6 issues) way. Check out the feature on page 96 for a We will be at the NZMCA Motorhome and
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basic check list, and a reminder why tyres are Caravan Outdoor show at Mystery Creek,
Rest of World $150 (6 issues)
so important on your vehicle. Hamilton over the weekend Friday 23 to Sunday
Full online website access $25 1 year
In our Lifestyle and Destinations North Island 25 September. Come and see us inside the main
NZTODAY-RV LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
IS PUBLISHED BY stories Jane takes us to the ‘Banana Belt’ of the pavilion in the corner near the doors going
RnR Publishing Limited Taranaki, profiling Oākura and looking ahead outside to the big outdoor food area. Caspar
PO Box 220
to the annual Taranaki Gardens Festival. Sheryl looks forward to seeing you, as do we.
Martinborough,
was in the Waikato recently taking in timber Get planning your next trip, weekend away,
Wairarapa 5711
town Putāruru and the cow town of Morrinsville or long adventure. We have a fantastic country
(cid:47)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:402)(cid:69)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:74)(cid:28)(cid:3)(cid:18)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:18)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:24)(cid:18)(cid:21)(cid:18)(cid:3)(cid:3)
Mail: PO Box 220, Martinborough on her trip. Sheryl and Neil also share a visit to with a lot on offer, but please make the effort
28 Oxford Street, Martinborough, 5711 Whangārei and the Hundertwasser Art Centre to book ahead and let small businesses know
PUBLISHERS
and Wairau Māori Art Gallery on the waterway. you are coming, so you are not disappointed by
Bruce Mountain, [email protected]
Gary maps the Haurata High-Country walks near places being booked out. The way things were
Robyn Mountain, [email protected]
Gisborne and our Department of Conservation pre-Covid is now not to be taken for granted
PRINTING
Centurion (DOC) column talks about how to volunteer – presume nothing, book everything.
DISTRIBUTION with them. Take care
ARE Direct Ltd
South Island adventures start with a road
trip through the Lewis Pass and a thermal hot Robyn, Bruce and Caspar Mountain
NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS
pool visit with Kathy, then John shares with Editor – Publisher – Sidekick RV Lifestyle dog
RnR Publishing Ltd uses due care and diligence in the
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or liable for any mistakes, misprints, omissions
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5
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Oākura › Taranaki
Insider's Guide
to Oakura
A little real estate on beach front; only a short tūī’s flight to a National Park
and 15 minutes from the beating heart of a coastal city – Oākura calling.
Story + Photos Jane Dove Juneau
1
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and sheltered from the wild south-easterly yard is a privilege with kilometres of forest 2.(cid:3)(cid:49)(cid:544)(cid:77)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:3)(cid:37)(cid:67)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:89)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:86)(cid:14)(cid:3)
wind, Oākura has its own microclimate. tracks to explore and a native garden of nīkau (cid:84)(cid:75)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:80)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:67)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:67)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:71)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:67)(cid:86)(cid:71)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:91)(cid:3)
People who move to Oākura from around the beneath tall pukatea, karaka and pūriri trees. (cid:37)(cid:91)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:75)
coast towards Ōpunake are surprised how easily
their garden grows without south, or south-east
winds. The mountain also provides shelter and
some days the ocean can be calm in Oākura,
yet beyond the wind shadow furious whitecaps
dot the blue sea out to the horizon. In a strange
Venturi effect when the wind wraps around
Mt Taranaki, it sometimes is light easterly at
the New Plymouth end of Oākura beach and
westerly at the other end.
The black-sand beach of Oākura is one of
a few beaches between New Plymouth and
Ōpunake, the remainder of the coast being
covered by round grey rocks rolled smooth
by years of rumbling around in the ocean
waves. Sections of lava reefs, created by vol-
canic eruptions, run in a parabola around
the coast and in the right conditions of swell
and offshore wind, create point breaks loved
by surfers.
The village of Oākura sits in a narrow
2
two-kilometre strip of land between the beach
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www.rvmagazine.co.nz
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The lowland coastal forest in the Kaitake of overland travel through Asia. from a source up in the Pouakai Range. The
Range is very different to the forest found in But the lure of Oākura stayed with me Oākura Pā and Okorotua Marae sits on the
the rest of the park. At Lucy’s Gully a stand and I returned. I can recommend Oākura as west side riverbank across from Corbett Park,
of tall Californian Redwoods planted in 1930 good place to stay while visiting Taranaki as with its rugby, soccer and cricket grounds. On
remain in the park, protected by a special there is a range of activities nearby and it’s a windy day or when the sea is rough, a swim
dispensation. only a 15-minute drive to the centre of New in the Oākura River is a safe, sheltered option
A campground runs along the western end Plymouth. In the village there are several and many families barbeque and picnic by the
of Oākura Beach and during summer months restaurants, a Four Square, chemist, medical river. The water can be quite refreshing as it
is filled with campers enjoying their slice of centre, service station and the iconic Butlers
beachfront paradise beneath red flowering Reef pub, a great place to stop in for a pint,
pōhutukawa. Fishing rods, bikes and surf- listen to a band or have dinner on the enclosed
boards are a common denominator for the deck. There has been a hotel operating on the
campers, along with the obligatory beach site since 1865. The original hotel was rebuilt
chairs and gazebo. A selection of small cabins in 1917 with numerous changes over the
with sea views are dotted around the camp- years since. When I first visited Butlers there
ground offering alternative accommodation was a large collection of German steins and
for people who aren’t camping. toby jugs lining shelves and the cheerful face
I have lived in the village since 2003 when I of Evan Mita senior behind the bar. Butlers
moved back from living in the Sierra Nevada is part of the summer music tour and many
mountains in eastern California. I also lived iconic New Zealand and international bands
in Oākura in the late seventies/early eighties have played there including Salmonella Dub,
when Oākura was a sleepy seaside village full The Feelers, Tiki Taane, The Exponents, Fat
of small baches, many rented by young people Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Trinity Roots,
in the off-season, the rest empty most of the Jimmy Barnes and Xavier Rudd to mention a
year. Beachfront property prices started at few. I have spent New Year’s Eve and many
around $40,000 and quite a few properties other nights rocking to the music at Butlers.
were leasehold. As that seemed a lot of money Ironically so have a few spirits as the outdoor
and a big commitment to a twenty-year-old, venue backs up to the cemetery overlooking
the more alluring option was to pack my the Oākura River.
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backpack and head off into the exotic world The Oākura River flows down to the sea