Rainy Day Delights

Making the most of wet weather in your motorhome or caravan (without losing the plot)

Let’s face it - when you hit the open road in your trusty motorhome or caravan, you picture blue skies, sun-dappled views, and maybe a beach chair with a cold one in hand … and then the rain hits. Not the gentle romantic kind either - no, we’re talking “washed-out-windscreen-and-wet-dog-smell” kind of rain.

But here’s the thing: rainy days aren’t a disaster. In fact, they can be some of the most relaxing, meaningful, and downright enjoyable parts of your journey - if you know how to make the most of them.

Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends (and maybe even a stubborn dog), here’s how to turn a grey day into golden memories.

1. Reroute, Replan, and Reimagine

Rainy weather might derail your beach day, but it also opens the door to unexpected discoveries. Pull out the map (or app), brew another cuppa, and explore a Plan B.

Dig out the maps, apps, and local brochures. Ask a fellow traveller for tips. That wet weather detour might just lead to a new favourite town, café, or scenic lookout you’d have otherwise missed.

Try websites like:

• NZ Pocket Guide – updated travel ideas and itineraries
• CamperMate – for camping and activity suggestions
• DOC – for walks, conservation sites, and updates on track conditions

After all, isn’t that what the motorhome lifestyle is all about?

2. Rediscover the Joy of a Good Old-Fashioned Game

If it’s pelting down outside, it’s time for old-school entertainment. Scrabble, cards, Rummikub - whatever gets the mind ticking and the giggles going.

Not into competitive play? Try a cooperative game like a jigsaw puzzle (yes, it can be done in a motorhome - just choose a sensible size) or a brain-teasing crossword. These kinds of activities aren’t just good for the mind - they're a great way to connect, laugh, and share stories without staring at a screen.

Tip: Keep a small “rainy day” drawer in your van stocked with games, puzzles, and the good biscuits you’ve been hiding from the grandkids.

3. Hunt Down a Hidden Museum
   

Small-town museums are New Zealand’s best-kept secret - and rainy days are the perfect time to explore them. You’ll find everything from quirky collections to surprisingly moving local history.

A few gems to check out:

• The Hokitika Museum – gold rush stories and wild West Coast charm
• The Faraday Museum of Technology in Napier – a hands-on experience for curious minds
• Te Awamutu Museum – with great exhibitions on Māori heritage and local history
• Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum – an offbeat delight for vehicle lovers
• Pioneer Village in Stratford – step back in time on a misty Taranaki afternoon
• Mercury Bay Museum in Whitianga – find out about the lives of the early settlers

You’ll learn something, stretch your legs, and often get chatting to passionate locals who make these places feel truly special.

4. Go For a Rainy Day Ramble

Yes, you can still go for a walk in the rain - as long as you’ve got the right gear (waterproof jacket, decent shoes, and zero expectations of staying dry).

There’s something magical about a misty forest or an empty beach under grey skies. Everything smells richer. The colours pop. And the world feels hushed and personal.

Favourite damp-day walks:

• The Redwoods in Rotorua – surreal beauty in any weather
• Hokitika Gorge Walk – dramatic, moody and lush in the rain
• Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway – rugged cliffs and stormy sea views
• Lake Matheson Track – cloud-wrapped reflection walks at their finest
• A barefoot beach stroll at Whangamata – salty air and solitude
• Download the Plan My Walk App to check out all the great walks in your area.

Afterwards? Warm drink. Dry socks. Deep satisfaction.

5. Cook Something Slow and Soul-Soothing

Rain calls for comfort food. Whether it’s a slow-cooked stew, a one-pot curry, or good old-fashioned cheese toasties, now’s the time to lean into cosy meals.

Make a game of using what’s already in your pantry - or hit up a local farmers’ market (umbrellas at the ready) and support small-town producers. Bonus points if your rainy-day feast makes the whole van smell like home baking and nostalgia.

New Zealand’s own Hungry Cook has a great recipe for a very delicious Banana Coconut and Oat loaf – guaranteed to fill your motorhome with the best of fragrances!

6. Make It a Motorhome Cinema Afternoon

Pull the curtains, prop up a screen, and let the outside world blur away. Load up a few films, pour something warming, sit back and enjoy.

Need inspiration?

• Hunt for the Wilderpeople – rugged, hilarious, and perfectly Kiwi
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – for armchair adventuring
• The World’s Fastest Indian – a love letter to perseverance and speed
• Quartet – gentle British humour with a top-tier cast
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – rainy-day comfort viewing at its finest

Add popcorn and a blanket, and you've got a cinema more charming than any multiplex.

7. Become a Rainy-Day Tourist

From Cape Reinga to Bluff, you’ve covered! Check out these great places to visit…

Whangarei – Hunderwasser Art Centre

Auckland – Sealife - Kelly Tarltons

Pukekohe – visit TrailLite Group Pukekohe

Hamilton – Classics Museum

Coromandel – The Lost Spring

Rotorua – Secret Spot Hot Tubs

New Plymouth – Puke Ariki Museum

Napier – MTG Hawkes’s Bay

Palmerston North – New Zealand Rugby Museum

Wellington – Te Papa

Nelson – Classic Car Museum

Christchurch – Quake City

Christchurch – visit TrailLite Group Christchurch

Hanmer Springs – Hanmer Springs Hotpools

Greymouth – Pounamu Pathway

Oamaru – Steampunk HQ

Queenstown – iFly Queenstown

Dunedin – Toitu – Otago Settlers Museum

Bluff – Bluff Maritime Museum

8. Embrace the Art of Doing Very Little (guilt-free)

Retirement or semi-retirement doesn’t mean you’ve stopped moving - it often means you're moving more. So when the rain hits, take it as permission to stop. Truly stop.

Read that book that’s been sitting in your Kindle for a year. Listen to the rain. Write in a travel journal. Call a friend for a long, meandering catch-up. Or simply lie back, listen to some Leonard Cohen or Fleetwood Mac, and let your thoughts drift.

It’s amazing how often we forget to just… be.

9. Sort, Reflect, and Reminisce

Rainy days are brilliant for slowing down and looking back. If you’ve been snapping photos on your travels, take some time to organise them. Better yet, start creating a digital travel diary or photo book.

Or dive into your memory bank and jot down stories from your life: favourite holidays, old family recipes, the time you got lost in Italy and found the best café by accident. These little nuggets can turn into gifts for grandchildren or just lovely keepsakes for yourself.

Don’t underestimate the joy of reflection - it’s one of travel’s most underrated treasures.

Final Thoughts: Rain Is Just Another Kind of Adventure

Rainy days on the road might not be what you imagined when you set off, but they often end up being some of the most rewarding. They’re slower, quieter, and less Instagrammable - but full of potential for real connection, deep rest, and creativity.

You didn’t choose a motorhome lifestyle because you wanted everything to be predictable. You chose it because life is better when it’s a little flexible, a little spontaneous - and maybe even a little soggy now and then.

So, the next time the skies open up, don’t sigh. Smile. Put the kettle on. And enjoy the kind of day that people stuck in offices can only dream about.