Minginui - Matawai - Motu Midwinter Madness NZ 2013

**clint640** · 8th July 2013, 08:20

Originally Posted by pomgolian

Clint is this the campground that cancelled all bookings one week out last year (or was it the year before) are they opening this year ? must give them a call. Any Hawkes Bayers try and do the second day as the Motu and the gravel road Clint used upto the Motu are real good, if the weather is any good ?

The camp at Matawai always seem to be hard work to deal with, plus fairly expensive for the basic cabins they have, but I don't think they've cancelled on us. That Whakarau Rd we did 1st up on the Sunday last year was actually MXNUT's idea, I'll add it into the route sheet so people have the option at their own pace.

Originally Posted by BMWST?

hey eddie this from the hotel facebook page

"Promised I would give the numbers of alternative accommodation for 27th July for the Mid Winter Madness Ride. Try the Motu Community House - contact Paul Cornwall 8635002 for that on For the Matawai camping ground across the road try Danny Larson.on 862 4800."

Cheers mate, will put those details in 1st post.

Originally Posted by paturoa

Clint,

Last year you did a route sheet that I printed out. I can't find it. Do you still have it?

Revised routesheet & GPS files will be posted up soon.

Cheers
Clint

**pomgolian** · 8th July 2013, 20:09

Thanks Clint - it was last year the campsite closed as he has too many cancellations and i managed to get a bed in the shearers quarters behind the pub.

Just rang the camp ground tonight and spoke to Daniel he said someone else had rung today as well and he told them to get together 20-30 people or its not worth him driving from Gisborne to open up, as he would normally be shut for the winter at this time of year which is fair enough.

So any other interest for the camp ground ?

He said there is freedom camping in the gorge (not sure where that is) but it normally gets to minus -5 to -10 degrees at night.

Any other ideas folks ?

**Bams** · 8th July 2013, 22:55

[

Any other ideas folks ?

Motu community house and I got the feeling that there is still some more room there for others needing accommodation. ph 07 8635002

**GPS MAN** · 9th July 2013, 08:03

Won't know if I can make it until closer to the date....Farmers are getting ready for Spring planting...and that's my market

Will stay and keep you posted ~ Wade

**Crisis management** · 9th July 2013, 08:53

Originally Posted by Bams

[

Any other ideas folks ?

Motu community house and I got the feeling that there is still some more room there for others needing accommodation. ph 07 8635002

I've not been able to get hold of them, left a message but all I'm getting is the answerphone so far, by the way it's (06) 8635002........ otherwise your talking to some one in Waihi.

In other news, the Rangitikei? lodge is getting full as well as they have dog sled racing going on as well, so far I'm in a bunk room this time.

**Bams** · 9th July 2013, 10:39

Sorry Ian for the 07 mistake.
I just left a message and they got back to me within a couple of days I think they are having phone problems as there phone kept cutting out while I was talking to them and it took a number of attempts to get the conversation done.
The camp ground guy seems to have increased from minimum from 10 -20 now ?? He seemed a nice enough guy to me and mentioned he had a Dr650 himself someone needs to encourage him to come for a ride and make it worth while I gave him a little friendly prode
Ken

**pomgolian** · 9th July 2013, 17:27

Done - left a message this morning and a lady called Jane from the Motu Community Hall rang me back 06 862 8736 she has three rooms all with three beds $ 20 per night, only one other booked but he got cut off the phone so she wasnt sure, so a few other beds if anyone needs one looks OK

http://www.themotutrails.co.nz/direc...odation/show/9

**R650R** · 9th July 2013, 17:31

Originally Posted by pomgolian

He said there is freedom camping in the gorge (not sure where that is) but it normally gets to minus -5 to -10 degrees at night.

Any other ideas folks ?

Freedom camping AKA parking in any available roadside real estate, sharing the luxury with truck drivers and any other travelling vagrants who feel the need to pull over in the middle of the night...

Was looking at doing the whole shebang and overnighting but with the difficulties with these places I might just day trip it again.... and not take off this time...

I do like your camping on the beach idea... it's a LLOOOOONNNNGGGGGGGG way around the cape on a kidney beating bumpy road though...
Sooooo who has the best deal on heated gloves.....

**R650R** · 9th July 2013, 17:35

Originally Posted by pomgolian

Done - left a message this morning and a lady called Jane from the Motu Community Hall rang me back 06 862 8736 she has three rooms all with three beds $ 20 per night, only one other booked but he got cut off the phone so she wasnt sure, so a few other beds if anyone needs one looks OK

http://www.themotutrails.co.nz/direc...odation/show/9

That place looks alright... those timber floors look a bit nice to be parking a DR650 on though, I have a rule that the bike gets to sleep inside too!

**Steelie** · 9th July 2013, 17:37

Im in.
Saturday Pub was booked early on. Just rang Rangitaiki Lodge - full up. So tried the Tavern and got a bed to my surprise. The Guy at the Tavern would really like to no numbers for dinner if there's going to be any extras from the Lodge etc. He wants to know how many roasts to put on...

Clint, might see you at your place Friday arvo, will confirm closer to the day.

cheers Anthony

**pomgolian** · 9th July 2013, 19:00

Originally Posted by R650R

Freedom camping AKA parking in any available roadside real estate, sharing the luxury with truck drivers and any other travelling vagrants who feel the need to pull over in the middle of the night...

Was looking at doing the whole shebang and overnighting but with the difficulties with these places I might just day trip it again.... and not take off this time...

I do like your camping on the beach idea... it's a LLOOOOONNNNGGGGGGGG way around the cape on a kidney beating bumpy road though...
Sooooo who has the best deal on heated gloves.....

Come on its only 300kms from Matawai to Waipiro bay and the road was pretty good last time - didnt go to the most easterly light house so if time will go looky, then head home monday, if the weather is shite will head home from opotiki like boxabits and i did last year via mingahooeee (might miss mingahooee as well)

You could try Motu falls real estate but it was very cold and damp early in the morning last year.

**GrantWB** · 9th July 2013, 20:11

Originally Posted by pomgolian

Done - left a message this morning and a lady called Jane from the Motu Community Hall rang me back 06 862 8736 she has three rooms all with three beds $ 20 per night, only one other booked but he got cut off the phone so she wasnt sure, so a few other beds if anyone needs one looks OK

http://www.themotutrails.co.nz/direc...odation/show/9

I'm in at Motu Community Hall so will be doing the two days.

Thanks Paul for the info.

I didn't feel like camping in a Matawai wwinter

If weather ok I will tag along to Waipiro bay and back home Monday.