Harvie Beetham of Weber talks to motor-caravan users in his hangar while they were on their safari trip. Photo / Supplied
Harvie Beetham of Weber talks to motor-caravan users in his hangar while they were on their safari trip. Photo / Supplied
For a group of motor caravan enthusiasts, a safari to the wild side recently was less about spotting tigers and zebras and more about eyeing up the spectacular scenery of our district.
"We decided on something completely different for our October rally and we had an absolute ball," Nigel Mead, the secretary of the Eastland Motor Caravan Association, said.
"Going on safari meant touring coastal areas of southern Hawke's Bay, an area not often visited by many of our members and it's a great place to visit, with wonderful park over properties and council reserves which can take 25 vans or so.
"Overall the safari covered more than 532km and we spent 10 nights touring through real New Zealand, where the productivity is clear for everyone to see. Many people didn't realise just how much countryside there is to see down that coast and how green and lush it looks at this time of year.
"Those on the safari collectively spent more than $13,000 in the region, (not including the member who bought a new car on the journey), which just shows the value of having motor-homers in your district.
Motor homes lined up at Porangahau Beach during the safari.
"The first stop on our amazing journey was at Kotemaori where the crew got together for their evening meeting. This was an amazing place off the beaten track and complete with wood-fired shower block.
"Next day was spent trundling down to Dartmoor reserve near the wine-growing Sacred Hill and what a scenic place that was.
"It lived up to its Maori name of Puketapu, just heavenly, well apart from the roosters too-ing and fro-ing from very early in the morning."
The group then travelled to Havelock North for a two-night stay to allow members to visit Arataki Honey, the Hawke's Bay A&P Show, the gannet colony, mushroom farm, and wineries.
"We then headed on to Patangata, parking up in the paddock behind the pub," Mr Mead said. "It was a little tight getting all the vans neatly parked but well worth it. Next morning saw everyone up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and off for a couple of nights at the Porongahau Beach Domain. Right on cue, the Hawke's Bay equinox winds decided to visit, complete with heavy rain, to boot, but it was an opportunity for good social times and getting to know each other better.
"For some, it was just great to have a nana nap and some peace and quiet."
The safari then headed to Harvie Beetham's airstrip east of Dannevirke.
"Harvie buzzed the convoy in his plane and landed right alongside us," Mr Mead said. "Everyone had a great evening in his hangar and helped swell the rescue helicopter's funding with their donations.
WAY TO GO: A sign-post at Pongaroa gives plenty of options for back-road touring for the influx of motor caravans into the district.
"In the morning it was still blowing a bit - after all, that was the day Cape Turnagain registered 156km-an-hour gusts, but some of our intrepid travellers still went off to visit Akitio Beach and took the round trip to our next stopping place at the Pongaroa Domain."
At the domain, the visitors were able to make use of the sports pavilion for an afternoon of fun and games.
"The owners of the Pongaroa Hotel heard the safari was in town and came down to offer a delivery service and shuttle service for evening meals; what great hospitality," Mr Mead said.
"On the last night at the Dannevirke Golf Club, with the wind still gusting mightily, we had a final court session and a great roast meal at a very reasonable price."
Lianne Simpkin, the Tararua District Council's economic development and communications manager, said the Tararua has the potential to attract 52,000 motor-home visitors a year, especially those wanting to get off the beaten track.
"It's critical we make sure they have a great time and we deliver excellent customer service," she said. "The Motor Caravan Association uses social media and word of mouth to spread the word, so it's important we make their welcome here special and memorable."
