Mavora is certainly one of those places we’re happy to go back to. Revisiting Mavora gives us a ‘reset’ and a chance to completely unplug from the world.
the mountains are calling
no matter which way you look, you will see the mountains looming up from the ground to the sky
Because we’ve ‘been there done that,’ on more than one occasion when camping out at Mavora, we treated this visit as an opportunity to hone the Art of Doing Nothing.
there’s nothing much not to like about this view
Been There, Done That at Mavora
We’ve embraced being active while staying at Mavora North Lake. Our previous activities included:
- cycling to Carey’s Hut
- walking the swing bridge to swing bridge loop
- walk to Kiwiburn Hut
- the drive to Walter Peak Station via Mt Nicholas Road
- bush bashing our way towards West Burn Hut
If you want to know all about Mavora and what there is to do there, then click on the link here to read my previous blog on our stay there.
Questions People Want to Ask
Whenever I post on social media about our stay at Mavora, there are inevitably the same set of questions asked.
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What is the road like driving to Mavora?
The first time we drove into Mavora was in thick snow. The second visit was in summer and we had thick dust. This time it had been recently raining so there were quite a few mud splatters up the sides of the ute and caravan. So you can derive from this that you need to be prepared for all sorts of road conditions. The surface of the 38km gravel road is relatively good.
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Can I Take my Campervan/Caravan in?
There are no corrugations, the road is wide enough to pass oncoming vehicles, there are no steep or windy parts and it is quite manageable whether towing or in a larger rig. As you get closer to the lakes, keep an eye out for lower hanging trees if you have a bit of height.
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Can I Take My Dog, how much does it cost, can I light a fire?
Yes, Mavora Lakes DoC Camp is dog friendly, but remember to keep them under control at all times and on a lead. It costs $8 per adult per night but for a full range of costs, click on the link above. NZMCA DoC passes and tourists passes can be used at this camp. There are dedicated fire pits that must be used when lighting fires. Also, check out any fire ban conditions first.
There are plenty of firepits dotted around. I’d recommend you bring in your own wood/pine cones as the wood can stay quite damp in the surrounding bush
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Is there plenty of room?
Yes, there is loads of room to camp. Remember that there is a North and South Lake. The largest area is beside the North Lake and the area between the two lakes beside the river joining the two. It is more popular during the summer holiday period but there is always somewhere to park up without feeling too hemmed in.
during winter, you can pretty much pick your spots, and there are plenty of tree-lined, moss-laden tracks to wander
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Is there cell phone coverage?
No, there is no cell phone or internet coverage within approximately 15km before the entrance to the Mavora Lakes Conservation area. However, the TV reception is good so you aren’t completely shut off from the world.
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Are there sandflies?
There’s not a simple answer to that one. I’ll have to say yes and no. The first time we visited in the heart of winter, we only encountered a few stragglers, clearly lingering around from the warmer months. The second time we stayed in summer (February) and we had none at all (which I thought was weird). This last time, they hit us with full fury. Only on the last day we were there, after a really heavy frost, did the numbers seemed to be reduced. Other than that, we burnt mozzie coils, citronella candles and got out the Bushman’s spray. They always disappeared with the sun so evenings were a lot less stressful to be outside.
mozzie coils, Bushmans Spray and citronella was on the pre-dinner menu!
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Does it Get Cold in Mavora?
As mentioned earlier, you can have 4 seasons in one day. In winter it can get freezing with heavy frosts and snow down to lake level. You need to check the weather forecast specifically for Mavora as it does have its own unique weather conditions compared to the surrounding area. If you have a good weather app, screenshot the forecast for Mavora for the next few days that you will be staying there, before you lose coverage. That way, you can have a record of incoming weather. We carry a Personal Locator Beacon in case of emergencies.
when the temperature starts to drop, the landscape dramatically changes
The Art of Doing Nothing
Scotty and I are very much active relaxers. In case you haven’t noticed, we like to make sure we tick off as much as possible when visiting an area, whether it be large or small. I can’t relax if there is something I haven’t yet seen or done. I spend hours researching an area and Scotty’s job is to get us there safely. It does feel like we never have time to simply relax.
Doing nothing gives you the opportunity to stop and just stare
Well, we made a decision to spend our time doing nothing while staying at Mavora this time. We had plenty of books on board and plenty of Netflix movies downloaded.
Our days were spent wandering the expansive DoC camp, just gazing at the changing vistas around us and enjoying some great reads. Intermingled in these leisurely activities was some photography and getting some special moments on video.
we did go on a pine cone gathering expedition and remembered one of our favourite stops towards Walter Peak Station on the St Nicholas Road. It is the ideal stop for a ‘tailgate coffee stop’ overlooking the valley and the Oreti River.
Fire Pit Conversations
Our late afternoons and evenings consisted of lighting the fire, keeping it roaring whilst sipping on a tipple or two (to help keep warm of course). That was the time that the mozzies go to bed as well, so it was much more pleasurable to sit outside.
an open fire is an invitation for conversation and the flames are quite mesmerising
It is also amazing what a magnet a fire is to fellow campers and visitors. We met some awesome people who stopped by to say hi and for leisurely chats around the fire. We also got invited to share in their ‘fire pit conversations’, all sharing the same passionate stories of travel and adventures.
there is something special about spending time beside an open fire, cooking on a charcoal BBQ and watching the sun setting behind the mountain peaks whilst eating dinner fireside
Did I Master the Art of Doing Nothing?
Well, I did read one and a half books, unheard of in such a short space of time. Surprisingly, we still have those movies downloaded to watch. If the weather had been wet and wild, then we would knock them out of the park, but conditions were way too nice to sit there watching them.
we just couldn’t sit inside and watch movies when we had our own movie set right outside our door
As to ‘mastering the art’, I am sitting here writing this blog instead of reading a book, so I think the answer to that question is that it is still a work in progress!
“Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments – relax, recharge and refresh”
Click on the link below to see us doing nothing.
Called into the lakes yesterday. Having passed it by previously. It’s certainly is treat.
Oh, so glad you took the detour!