Author Archives: thecuriouskiwi

Cheese rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, rollin’

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*Eltham Cheese Day is now a biennial event – cheese will be rolling again in 2017*

Limp Bizkit sing it slightly differently but cheese will again be rollin’ at the Eltham Downhill Cheese Race on Saturday, April 6 2013.

Watch surefooted souls chase a cheese wheel down Cheese Hill. Those who make it can buy an “I Survived” t-shirt, and those with fast feet will take home a cheese wedge trophy.

In 2012 boys in blue raced against a Santa who forgot the spirit of Christmas and ran off with the cheese – toward a getaway car full of crackers? … Read the rest

Let’s go to Beach Hop, Whangamata

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Beach Hop 2012 – Gorgeous Girls & Wicked Wheels

Beach Hop will be held 20 – 24 March 2013 in Whangamata. Celebrate the 50’s and 60’s – listen to rock ‘n’ roll bands and see up to 1000 hot rods and classic cars in the Grand Parade on Saturday morning. In 2011 retro caravans were introduced, in 2013  Vintage Caravan Magazine are sponsoring the Retro Caravan Show. Update: Cool Caravans (2013 Beach Hop photos)

Saturday is the best day for visitors – the Grand Parade, Junkyard Fashion Show, Hop Idol finals and Retro Beauty Show are a few of the … Read the rest

Curious in Kumara

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I didn’t get to share my Kumara pronunciation with the locals, I heard them say it before I could call their place a vegetable. Ku-mar-a (stressing the mar) is how they say it on the West Coast of the South Island.

Kumara developed after gold was discovered in nearby Dilmanstown in 1876. According to information at Shantytown, the Kumara – Dilmanstown area is known as the place of New Zealand’s last gold rush*. The rush is said to have been started by two moonshiners who went bush to set up an illegal still.

During their preparations Cashman and Connor … Read the rest

Cheers Bookme – Shantytown, & Monteith’s Brewing Co in Greymouth

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Bookme is an online tourism site advertising activities and attractions at discounted prices. We checked out the West Coast deals and booked Shantytown, $10pp (usually $31.50pp); and a Monteith’s Brewery tour $10pp (usually $20pp).

Shantytown Heritage Park, 10km from Greymouth
Shantytown is a re-creation of a gold rush town and has 30 shops and buildings. A ride on a steam train is included in the admission fee. Pay $7 extra to pan for gold, Mike brought home a few flakes. You may be able to have an old time photo taken in Golden Nugget Hotel (see our Shantytown tip below). … Read the rest

Mitchell’s Gully Goldmine and the coastal road south to Punakaiki

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At Mitchell’s Gully Goldmine, 20 minutes south of Westport, I received the most concise description of gold extraction I’ve heard yet, it was worth visiting just to hear it.

Mitchell’s Gully is a family owned mine, a sign says it was last worked in 1914, I didn’t get the chance to ask whether the family still chip away at it, I’d be tempted if it was in my backyard.

You can walk around the mine site at your leisure and enter the shafts and tunnels, you also get to hold a heavy handful of gold. Take a torch if you’ve … Read the rest

Curious about Country Music?

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As an ex Country music show host Barry Skinner’s happy to play requests, if it’s Country, I bet my virtual cowboy boots that your song is in his extensive music collection.

Barry’s spent decades collecting vinyl, signed photographs, posters, badges and other Country music memorabilia. He’s been a judge at the Gold Guitar Awards in Gore, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Gore Hands Of Fame, in other words Barry is one of NZ’s “go to guys” for all things Country music.

You don’t need to have a personal interest in something to appreciate someone’s dedication and that’s … Read the rest

Tophouse, St Arnaud

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Tophouse near St Arnaud was established in 1887 to accommodate drovers travelling between Nelson and Canterbury. Today Tophouse operates as a guesthouse, cafe and tiny bar. The white washed walls cover a mix of cow manure, horse hair, straw and sand used in its construction.

The tiny bar at Tophouse is an addition to the building, it could squeeze in a standing dozen with the front lawn handling the over flow (insect repellent recommended). The bar started serving alcohol again in 2008 after 39 dry years. It was too early in the day to raise a glass for us so … Read the rest