Hurunui and Amberley Beach

It was just a short trip down to Hurunui. We were surprised that the pub there is open again as it was badly damaged during the Kaikōura earthquake.

The camping ground is part of CampSaver but also provides a $10 voucher per person per night for the restaurant, so basically you stay, on power, for free.

We were the only people in the camping area when we arrived, but were soon joined by two motor homes with three dogs. This was followed some time later by four other vans, a group travelling together.

We hadn’t booked for the restaurant and were surprised to find tables either full or reserved when we arrived, about half campers and half locals. Luckily we got the last free table and had a very enjoyable meal with an excellent bottle of their own wine.

The owners had big smiles on their faces!

Next day we travelled on to one of our favourite spots, Amberley beach.

The area by the playground was full of caravans and buses, but it wasn’t as crowded nearer the street. There was a lot of water lying in the paddocks as we drove to the beach, so we weren’t sure how far we would get around the board walk, but it was fine.