Motorhome owners from all over Otago and Southland spent the long holiday weekend going back to school, sort of.
Members of the Otago, Southland and Clutha Valley branches of the New Zealand Motor Caravanners Association gathered for their annual combined rally.
Last year, the group gathered in the Northern Southland township of Waikaia. This year, Milton, or more precisely the grounds at Tokomairiro High School, was the venue for 56 motorhomes, caravans and buses.
Otago chairman Gavin Tarbotton said the spacious school grounds with tennis courts were perfect, were central to town, and the assembly hall was used to host a karaoke night on Saturday and a quiz night last night.
Motorhoming was one of the fastest-growing leisure pursuits, especially for baby-boomers, because it offered flexibility, freedom from itineraries and schedules, and a chance to see many parts of the country.
Motorhome owners also had strong bonds with each other and there was always a "feeling of community" at rallies and gatherings with like-minded people, Mr Tarbotton said.
He estimated Milton would have benefited by several thousands of dollars during the three-day stopover.
The rally finishes today.
