Brakes Have the brakes checked and tested. The braking system is a vital safety mechanism.   Oil check Oil sometimes thickens as it gets colder, and it can’t lubricate an engine properly if it is too cool. Read the owner’s manual to determine what lubricants are recommended for your system. Also check transmission, brake and other fluids while you’re under the hood. Radiator Clean and flush, and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb this should be done every two years, and it’s vital to stop your engine water freezing overnight, especially if you’re in very ..read more

After hearing many enthusiastic stories of the Timber Trail cycle ride Rick and I decided we must do the ride through the Pureora Forest. When I read “it is recommended to take a Personal Locator Beacon”, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I do remember a friend mentioning pitching over her handlebars. Visions of helicopter rescue spring to mind. En route to the start of the Timber Trail ride, I quiz Victoria Dawson, our shuttle driver, as to how many people hire a PLB. Apparently, quite a few groups do, and it’s recommended due to the remoteness of the trail, as it has ver ..read more

Tauranga is rapidly overtaking Hamilton as the fourth largest city in New Zealand, and obviously a city of more than 161,000 people has many attractions and services catering for the needs of locals and visitors alike. It houses the largest port in the country, and as well as an attractive harbour, is close to miles of beautiful white sand beaches adjoining residential suburbs such as Mount Maunganui and Papamoa Beach. There are also many options for walking and cycling plus an impressive array of restaurants, bars and cafés. There are also hidden and not-so-hidden spaces that visitors may not ..read more

While big caravans with all the bells and whistles – island beds, TVs, washing machines, big off-road beasts ready to take on the wildest of terrains – are readily available out in the marketplace, it was a pleasure to check out the sporty-looking exterior of the small, ultra-lightweight Swift Basecamp caravan at Nelson Caravans, and a surprise to see all the comforts of home tucked into a tiny space. Launched back in 2016, the Basecamp models are aimed at those coming out of the tent-camping market and looking to step up to enjoy the luxuries of a bathroom, full oven cooking facilities and co ..read more

The LPG gas inside the cylinder will not deteriorate. However it is best kept within the cylinder! Firmly shut the cylinder valve, and check the outlet of the cylinder with some soapy water to make sure it is gas tight. Having removed the LPG regulator from the cylinder valve, place the regulator inside a plastic bag, securing the bag with a rubber band. This will serve two purposes, keeping any spiders or other insects from making it their home, also preventing water from getting inside the regulator.   Gas Cylinder Think about storage requirements, if paying for storage check with the o ..read more

First we’d have to identify it on the map, for I’d wager not many New Zealanders would know where Parua Bay is located. But for those that do, it’s clear they’re happy to have found this lovely spot. Roadside folk art in the form of a ‘patter’ of lonely, lost and single jandals tacked to a tree stump. (I’m guessing that patter is the correct collective noun for them.) There’s a public wharf where time seems to stand still, and with a green troll painted under it. The harbourside pub has been there since 1904, with its own jetty, serving pints of Wild Buck ale and stone-fired shrimp-topped piz ..read more

There is no shortage of ocean wildlife adventures in Kaikōura, but this time we decided to do something different. Ecozip Adventures zipline is a newly established activity (since December 2023) in Kaikōura that aims to provide locals and tourists with more to see and do, while also contributing to conservation with efforts to re-establish native flora and fauna. The crisp autumn morning prompted me to layer on the thermals and pack the essentials for our adventure: warm clothes, snacks and water. We had just shy of an hour so the most important part of the checklist was getting coffee ..read more

I didn’t think I was much of an adrenalin junkie. At least, not since my twenties. Yes, I tried bungee jumping and skydiving when I travelled around New Zealand in a campervan in the 1990s, but since taking up permanent residence in Aotearoa in 2006 and ageing a couple of decades, I’d mainly describe myself now as an ‘enthusiastic traveller’. Show me a good tramp or a scenic wonder and I’m happy. But at the same time, I’m always on the lookout for new experiences. And Hanmer Springs certainly delivered for me. The town itself has been quoted as a “scaled-down Queenstown”, but I think a more ac ..read more

Hey pals! It’s been a quiet stretch lately, just a couple of walkies each day, rain or shine. Our latest adventure was a big one! Mama will spill all the juicy details in the September magazine, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, I’ll fill you in on some of the spots we sniffed out along the way. Usually, we roam free or stay at NZMCA campgrounds in our motorhome where I’m always welcome. This time, though, we needed a spot with power for our Wendekreisen campervan, so Mama found us some dog-friendly parks. First stop was Kaikōura. We were still in the car then, and Mama was fretting a ..read more

There’s no doubt New Zealand’s South Island provides the canvas for one of the best roadies around, so it made perfect sense to Kyle Mulinder, aka Bare Kiwi, to hook up his upgraded Jayco Outback caravan and hit the road over the summer. The successful online influencer is renowned for showcasing his adventures with style and innovation and was fresh from another overseas trip, this time to Fiji where the essence of collaboration and inspiration was illuminated. Picture this: 50 creators from across the globe, each representing their homeland, gathered together in Fiji for an electrifying even ..read more