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.