Campers relive good old days

Homesick during a stint in New York, New Zealand jazz singer, pianist and songwriter Linn Lorkin penned the memorable song At the Beach.

The lyrics tell of balmy summer days camping at the beach, when the kids made sandcastles, dad went fishing and mum kept everyone fed and happy.

You can shop every hour of the week now, buy beer and wine in a supermarket, hail a cab like they do in New York and lunch on antipasto at a chic pavement cafe.

But family summer holidays at the beach remain as distinctly New Zealand as the All Blacks. Perhaps it is because we usually have just the right summer climate - not too hot to enjoy the sun, not too cold to shrink from swimming and boating.

Or perhaps it is because in days past, when Jack was as good as his master, the beach was a status leveller, a place that every family could afford to visit.

Beach holidays have been tarted up from the days Lorkin wrote about, but the essence remains the same at campground and bach. Here is a brief sample of some places you might try, though you'll need to be quick - campsites report heavy bookings already.

Pakiri Beach, just one and a half hours north of Auckland, is a long, clean surf beach that, thanks to Maori landowners, has remained free of development.

When you tire of surfing, swimming or just lying on the sand, you can saddle up with tourism award winner Pakiri Beach Horse Rides for an hour, all day, or even overnight.

Contact: Pakiri Beach Holiday Park, ph (09) 422 6199; Pakiri Beach Horse Riding, ph (09) 422 6275, email pakirihorse@xtra.co.nz

The Twin Coast Discovery Route also leads to Waipu Cove, although you now have to detour off the main highway to get there.

Waipu retains the Scottish flavour of its first European settlers and every New Year's Day the town hosts a Highland Games. The beach is renowned for clean surf and the surrounding waters of Bream Bay for fishing. There are several campgrounds and other accommodation.

Contact: Waipu Cove Reserve Camp, ph (09) 432 0410.

North of Whangarei are a clutch of pohutukawa-fringed beaches that stretch as far as the Bay of Islands. Whangaruru is the last of the major beaches before rounding Cape Brett. It's close enough to slip into Russell and perhaps take a Bay of Islands cruise.

A good place to check out what is on offer is on web sites www.northland.org.nz and www.twincoast.co.nz.

The Twin Coast route goes from one glorious beach to another all the way to Kaitaia and the surf of Ahipara, before turning to follow the west coast back to Auckland.

Kai Iwi Lakes, just north of Dargaville, are not strictly beaches, although Baylys Beach is not much more than a walk away. But the sand-fringed lakes, where you can fish for trout, swim and water-ski, are favourites with many family campers.

The Trouson Kauri Park is only a short drive away. It contains many majestic kauri and will usually reward night visitors with the sounds, if not the sight, of kiwis.

Contact: Kai Iwi Lakes Camping Ground, ph (09) 439 9610; Kauri Coast Holiday Park, ph (09) 439 0621; Baylys Beach Motor Camp, ph (09) 439 6349.

For something that still gets close to the family camping of old you can visit Great Barrier Island. Time hasn't exactly stood still on the monarch of the Hauraki Gulf but it does run at a much slower pace. A summer ferry service means you can take the kitchen sink - and more besides if you use the car ferry. The car might be a good idea if you intend a long stay as it would allow access to many attractions. DoC administers several campgrounds.

Contact: Great Barrier Island Campground, Tryphena, ph (09) 4290; Department of Conservation, (09) 429 0044; Bob's Tours, shuttle and transfer service, (09) 429 0032.

The Coromandel Coast has a string of idyllic spots, from the basic DoC sites at Fantail Bay, Port Jackson, Fletcher Bay and Sandy Bay to the well-appointed commercial campgrounds at resorts such as Whitianga, Tairua, Whangamata and Waihi.

A good place to start planning is on Pacific Coast. Also check World Touring. For permits to DoC campgrounds ph (07) 867 9080.

Links:

www.northland.org.nz

www.twincoast.co.nz