Few facilities but life's a beach

The Wai-inu Beach camping ground 9km from Waitotara village is the way New Zealand used to be- a long, open, deserted beach and plenty of ground for camping.

This open, accessible site is across from a settlement of beach cottages and baches on Nukumaru Parade.

There are toilets at the ground and a children's playground right on the beachfront but that's it, there are no other amenities.

Campers come from all over the country, most in motorhomes and a few with tents, to enjoy the wide open space and the quiet of the countryside and the sea.

Visitors enjoy long beach walks and the fishing is fantastic with good boat access, say campers.

Maximum stay is 50 days at the South Taranaki District Council run camp. Instructions on using the camp ground are on a notice board at the entrance.

Set fees are $10 per site per night from December 1 to the end of February, otherwise $5 per site per night.

Enjoying the freedom and space at this beachfront camp site were several motorhomes and owners with champion dogs travelling from show to show around the North Island.

The dogs were able to run free, with their owners keeping a careful watch.

Upper Hutt woman Karen De Witt said they love coming to Wai-inu and have been camping for nearly five years.

"It's always very peaceful and we have our six dogs with us. It's perfect for us."

The De Witts were staying five days.