Good News For McKee Domain Campers

All going to plan, McKee Domain should be open for the 2018/2019 summer. And for many campers, that's fantastic news.
We decided to take a drive over to Ruby Bay to check out how things were looking at this popular camping spot.

As you can see, the tide was well out. So we parked the bus along the beach front and walked along the beach towards McKee Domain.

We're aware that McKee Domain doesn't allow any dogs, so we kept to the beach and every few hundred metres I took a peek over the bunds to see how the camping ground was looking.

The entrance is closed to traffic and although the camp's future can't be guaranteed because of climate change and possible erosion (in the event of extreme weather), it's good to know work is underway to reopen it again.

Many trees and shrubs have been removed as a result of the saltwater deluge after the February cyclone and new plants planted.

Fortunately the playground survived the storm and new bark was being placed around the swings, slides etc.  

All the steel rungs that were used as steps from the camp down to the beach had been washed away and lay lying on the foreshore.

The damaged water system has been repaired and to ensure infrastructure can cope the campground numbers will be monitored. The current maximum 250 campers is under review.

I was keen to see if the bench seat under a tree at the end of the camp was still there. I've many fond memories of sitting on that seat, gazing out to sea. And surrounded in debris the seat with the million dollar views was still there!

The end of the camp leads out to the beach where you can walk towards Kina Beach under huge, towering cliffs.

After having a nose around we wandered back to the bus. In the distance towards Mapua you can see a row of pine trees running along the beach front that have turned a rusty brown after being damaged by saltwater (due to the Feb storm).

We were under the watchful eye of the local neighbourhood watch seagulls.

Back at the bus we sat on a washed up log and admired the view, with a cuppa in hand. 

When the tide's out you can see why this bay is such a safe and popular place to swim. A couple of summers ago when we stayed at McKee Domain we went for a swim after dinner. The tide was in and the water was like a bath. Although it took awhile to walk out so it was deep enough to be over our heads, it was nice swimming in an area that was luke warm with no undertows. It's a fabulous spot.

McKee Domain - Ruby Bay

With Christmas only a few days away I thought McKee Domain would be bursting with happy campers. However, when I visited today to arrange a time to interview the care-taker I was surprised to see lots of spaces available.
It was a stunning day. The tide was in and there was a gentle breeze that offered some slight relief from the scorching sun. There weren't many people swimming which suggested the water temperature was still chilly due to the cool weather we've had recently.
I stumbled across Ken Todd (the care-taker) painting one of the toilet blocks and arranged to interview him after the busy summer/New Year season. He certainly has landed himself a great job in a beautiful location. Ken's bus sits beside the beach with views across Tasman Bay. He has lived at McKee Domain for roughly 20 years now, after taking on the position not knowing how long it would last for. 
I'm looking forward to sitting down and chatting with him, so I can discover more.

Still lots of space about.

This camper van had tinsel around it and Santa sitting on the dashboard.

An interesting truck with an assortment of tools down the side and plants in pots on the top of the roof.

Loads of drift wood washed up on the tide line, which is ideal to use in the camp fires  that are provided around the camp.

$6 a night is a reasonable price for a site by the beach and swimming on your doorstep.

Track to the beach - underneath the Pohutukawa trees.

Bird's Eye view!

A Beach Christmas Tree.