Neil's on Wheels

Neil and Lianne Turner's adventures Read more Tauranga, New Zealand

Traveler Mokau, Easter 2004
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Apr 1, 2024, 11:54am
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- New Zealand Waikato Waitomo District Mokau Mokau River -38.707087, 174.62114738°42’26” S 174°37’16” E
Day 5
Last day
April 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Another beautiful day in Mokau. A leisurely brunch followed by the pack up/clean up. Big hugs goodbye and then homeward bound. A nice safe trip home 😀
Traveler Already planning the next trip no doubt🤔
4/1/24Reply
Traveler Yes!
4/1/24Reply
0 likes
Traveler Mokau, Easter 2004
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 30, 2024, 6:18am
- 🌙 10 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- New Zealand Waikato Waitomo District Mokau Mokau River -38.7069, 174.621838°42’25” S 174°37’18” E
Day 3
Day 3
March 30 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C
Much quieter night with very little wind. Got up at 9am, and had a lovely breakfast with our friends. Mokau had a market, so we popped up to have a look. To my delight and surprise, there was a big group of bone carvers displaying not only their wares but actually creating the carvings. The smell took me straight back to Teachers College where I learned to do bone carving. It's made me want to dig out all my tools and start doing it again!
A visit to the museum was an unexpected highlight! There is no entry fee, just an optional donation. A pianola was available to play, and the group of us stood there and sang "you're the one that I want" from Grease!
I also snapped a photo of an antique dental chair.
Later on the boys went fishing, and us girls relaxed and chatted and read our books. Sadly no fish were caught, although Mark said he nearly caught a 'dog' fish a couple of times 😬
After dinner, we were picked up by Jenny (our lovely host) and taken to the Awakino Hotel where we were treated to an awesome indie/Latin/kiwi band from New Plymouth called The Mara! They were excellent. To my surprise, Neil pulled me up for a dance!
Another awesome day was had by all!Read more
Traveler Great to be back on board thanks for sorting. Are you freedom camping at Mokau I have been wondering what made you go there?
3/30/24Reply
Traveler It was Karen and Mark's idea! We're on a powered site for $15/ night per camper. Close to the 'beach' and beautiful weather! There is also a dump station and toilets on site!!! There are plenty of freedom camp sites at $12/night
3/30/24Reply
Traveler $12 is NOT free?
3/30/24Reply
Traveler Lol no but I meant freedom as in being off grid
3/30/24Reply
0 likes
Traveler Mokau, Easter 2004
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 29, 2024, 8:33am
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- New Zealand Waikato Waitomo District Mokau Mokau River -38.706903, 174.62144438°42’25” S 174°37’17” E
Day 2
Day 2
March 29 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
We went to sleep with the motorhome shaking due to the high winds. Quite the experience!
Morning dawned at 8am for us, which is quite the sleep in. We dressed in a hurry as we had made plans to move into a site beside M&K and J&D when the current occupiers were leaving, and it was looking like quite a queue was forming. Everything was quickly shoved inside, and we bagged our new site.
Had a nice lazy day sitting around. Some of us had a little nana nap, and some read books. The boys went fishing and caught a few tiny fish.
Dinner was followed by a game of scrabble in K&M's caravan.
After a lovely dinner of steak and salad, we played a couple of games of scrabble. Funny how you seem to be quite sleepy on holiday and you can't stay up too late!!!Read more
Traveler Better luck fishing tomorrow. 🤞
3/29/24Reply
1 like
Traveler Neil's on Wheels and Bessie
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 15, 2024
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- New Zealand Bay of Plenty Whakatane District Ohope Beach Ohiwa Harbour -37.981849, 177.10933237°58’55” S 177°6’34” E
Day 1–3
Day 3
March 15 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Jude slept the night in our Luton, and we discovered that every movement caused the motorhome to rock and roll. Neil and I must have just gotten used to it!
A slow start to the day with a lovely cooked breakfast, wrapped in blankets again as it was chilly. The day was clear and crisp and soon warmed up, requiring a change of clothes.
We decided to go for a walk over to the ocean side of Port Ohope as we had largely been quite lazy up to this point.
The beach was beautiful with a large expanse of white sand and cerulean blue water. Diesel had fun going on after sticks that were being thrown for him.
We made our way up to the point and back along the Harbour side, keeping well away from the oystercatchers and dotterels which call this beach their home. The sand was surprisingly loose and every step we were sinking up to our ankles. This made for a calf and ankle challenging trek! We were pretty tired by the time we got back to the camp site, but felt like we had exercised well.
No one really wanted to break the spell of our fantastic weekend, so we sat and enjoyed the sunshine. By the time we packed up and left, it was late afternoon, and we were all moderately sunburnt!
I don't think we have ever had a bad weekend in our motorhome, and having friends join us is very special. Looking forward to our next adventure!Read more
0 likes
Traveler Neil's on Wheels and Bessie
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 15, 2024
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- New Zealand Bay of Plenty Whakatane District Ohope Beach Ohiwa Harbour -37.981849, 177.10933237°58’55” S 177°6’34” E
Day 1–3
Day 2
March 15 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
After a rainy night we woke up to weka and tui in the nearby bush. Carlene made us a beautiful eggs bene for breakfast. We sat in our camp chairs with all our warm clothes on as it was a chilly start to the day. We knew it was going to warm up because the sky was blue with no clouds!
Jude arrived at midday, and we all crammed into her little car and took a drive over to Whakatane. Surprisingly quiet in the township, so we didn't stay long.
After a lunch of chips, dip, cheese and crackers, the boys got the fishing rods ready and we dragged our chairs, G&T's down to the beach. I went for a swim with Diesel (I was the only one brave enough!), and a friendly black lab called Skye.
Unfortunately only one very small kahawai which was promptly returned to the water. Was lovely sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down.
It got very chilly as the sun disappeared below the horizon, so warm clothes were donned and fluffy blankets wrapped around us.
The guys went fishing in the dark, leaving us ladies behind at the camp site. We had a lovely evening drinking wine, giggling and having in depth chats about scripture and the tribulation. Meanwhile Neil caught a large eel. Both men also managed to catch a couple of smallish mussels which had decided that the bait looked like a good snack!
Another great evening has with good friends 🧡Read more
0 likes
Traveler Neil's on Wheels and Bessie
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Mar 15, 2024, 5:04pm
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 5 m
- New Zealand Bay of Plenty Whakatane District Ohope Beach Ohiwa Harbour -37.981849, 177.10933237°58’55” S 177°6’34” E
Day 1–3
Port Ohope Freedom Camp
March 15 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
This freedom camping site is at the far end of Ohope Beach near Whakatane. It's a lovely spot right next to the Harbour. A great spot for fishing, swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.
We arrived ahead of "Bessie" and the traffic coming into the camp site was starting to pick up. We always like the Murray's to be next to us so we wanted to save a spot for them. Everytime a camper drive in, Neil jumped into the spot we were saving and started to play with Diesel. Ultimately we were successful in maintaining the space for our friends!Read more
0 likes
Weekend break
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 25, 2024, 2:00pm
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 363 m
- New Zealand Waikato Taupo District Wairakei -38.625096, 176.08943938°37’30” S 176°5’22” E
Day 4
Wairakei Terraces and Hot Spa
February 25 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Had a beautiful soak in the 4 hotpools available here ($27pp). A cold coke and a bikkie in the motorhome before saying goodbye to K &J and heading home.
0 likes
Weekend break
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 23, 2024, 12:44pm
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 360 m
- New Zealand Auckland Mapara Stream -38.685548, 175.96296838°41’8” S 175°57’47” E
Day 2–4
Whakaipo Reserve, Kinloch
February 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Found this site using the NZCMA app. The comments were pretty favorable, so thought we'd give it a shot. SO glad we did. It's a nice dry site with plenty of room. We're literally 30seconds from the lakeside. We've been kayaking and even braved the chill water for a swim! We've been joined by family (Keith and Julie) in their caravan.
I had an argument with a lady who took offense to Diesel wanting to meet her dog. I was not impressed with the way she spoke to me, and I told her so!!! I had a little night time discussion with God, and he told me I could have been nicer 😞
Today (Sat), we got the kayak and paddleboard out and went on the lake. The water was cold but so so nice!!! The boys rode the ebikes over the cycle track to Kinloch, while Julie, Diesel and I went for a walk. We met the boys in Kinloch and had a very yummy icecream before heading back to the campsite.
Home-made burgers for dinner and an early pack up of the kayak/bikes etc as there is supposed to be heavy rain tomorrow.
Sunday- very early morning wake up call with a huge gust of wind pulling the pounds out of our awning legs. I'm sure between Keith and Neil they woke the whole campsite up!!!Read more
0 likes
Weekend break
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 23, 2024, 11:15am
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 355 m
- New Zealand Waikato Taupo District Nukuhau -38.686764, 176.06539738°41’12” S 176°3’55” E
1
Day 2
Brunch in Taupo
February 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Stir Cafe on the waterfront- best loaded toasties ever!
Bought new bike helmets as our previous ones were very old and I had smacked mine on the ground a couple of times falling off my bike!!
Traveler So youve started a Penguin blog too . Quite fun when you're doing lots of adventuring. Very important to have safe helmets to protect that attractive head of yours Lianne and no more tumbles
2/22/24Reply
Traveler It's a great way to log your travels!
2/23/24Reply
Traveler My helmets a 'Bell' too .
2/22/24Reply
0 likes
Weekend break
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Feb 22, 2024, 5:36pm
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 330 m
- New Zealand Waikato Taupo District Wairakei Lake Aratiatia -38.618432, 176.13676738°37’6” S 176°8’12” E
Day 1–2
Huka-Aratiatia, Taupo
February 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
On our way here, we checked out a place that a friend had told us about. We drove into the reserve only to run into low overhanging branches. Neil immediately backed up and ran into the bollards. His poor bike is somewhat munted as is the bike rack. My bike escaped unscathed.Read more
0 likes

Join us: