Meet

Mike and Kaye White – they are avid adventurers who’ve ditched conventional hotels in favour of a campervan that offers the ability to get off the beaten track for unforgettable experiences.

The Tauranga retirees often lock up their home in the Avenues, drop their cat at a cattery and head away in the campervan they’ve had for five years.

The initial seed of interest was sown almost 40 years ago.

“Our only previous experience was with a hired camper in Europe in 1985,” says Mike.

“The driving was a little stressful but we didn’t get into too much trouble.

"Over the years we’ve stayed in hotels but after Covid, travelling in the camper just felt like a natural thing to do.”

“Hotels just seem to be too far away from the action or just too expensive,” says Kaye.

“Yes, half the facilities we don’t use anyway so it doesn’t make sense.

"A campervan this size, you have plenty of choices of where you drive it,” says Mike.

Their campervan is 6.6m and has a dual shower/toilet, a double bed, kitchen and dining table.

“It’s quite narrow so we are currently looking around for a bigger motorhome,” says Kaye.

“Anyone thinking about buying one should attend as many motorhome shows as possible.

"Do plenty of research and write a list about what’s important to you.

"Rent one for at least a week or two, to find out what you don’t like,” says Mike.

Mike and Kaye White mapping their next adventure. Photo: Debbie Griffiths.

The longest trip the couple have done is down to Gisborne and up the East Coast.

“It was about two years ago and we spent a few weeks going around the coast and found Tokomaru Bay.

“It’s just idyllic. The town is like a time warp. We loved it so much that we stayed an extra two nights.

“The campervan gives us that kind of flexibility.”

“With hotels, if you’re travelling around it means you’re forever packing and unpacking,” says Kaye.

“So it just doesn’t suit us.”

“And you’re not tied to anyone’s timetable for meals,” says Mike. “On a travel day, when we find a nice beach, we can just pull over and have a cuppa or lunch.”

Mike and Kaye love the camaraderie among the campervan community and reminiscing about the trips they’ve been on.

“People are very friendly and very free with advice and information,” says Kaye.

“There’s nothing quite like waking up somewhere like National Park where we spent the night freedom camping,” says Mike.

“Waking up and seeing the mountain was lovely. It really was just stunning.”