Rotorua is set to host a celebration of classic Kiwi boating and caravanning culture this spring, when the Retro Boat & Caravan Sale Swap Meet rolls into town. For anyone who associates fibreglass hulls and boxy caravans with long summer holidays and lazy weekends on the water, it's the kind of event worth marking on the calendar.
Organised by NZ Retro Boats, the swap meet takes place on Saturday 19 October at the Marist St Michaels Rugby & Sports Club in Rotorua, running from 10am to 2pm. The stall fee is $20 per boat, caravan, or stall, keeping the day accessible for casual sellers and serious traders alike.
Event organiser Brendon Cornes sees the gathering as something larger than a simple buy-and-sell occasion. "Retro boating and caravanning are part of New Zealand's culture. This event is about celebrating that history while giving people the chance to connect, trade, and share stories."
For buyers, the appeal is straightforward: a single location where classic vessels and vintage campers are on display, with owners on hand to talk history, answer questions, and negotiate. For sellers, it offers a ready-made audience of people who genuinely understand what makes an older boat or caravan worth preserving. The combination tends to produce exactly the kind of animated conversations and unexpected deals that make swap meets worthwhile.
October timing works in the event's favour. Rotorua in spring is an easy place to spend a Saturday, and the swap meet gives families and enthusiasts a ready reason to make a day of it alongside the city's other attractions.
Bookings can be made by contacting Brendon Cornes directly.
Event: Retro Boat & Caravan Sale Swap Meet Date: Saturday 19 October Time: 10am to 2pm Venue: Marist St Michaels Rugby & Sports Club, Rotorua Cost: $20 per boat, caravan, or stall
