It is what Kelsey Moore enjoys the most about camping with her parents, Dave Moore and Sonya Farmer, at Sailors Cutting, near Otematata, each year.
The entire family had enjoyed exploring the area while they camped alongside family friends for the past seven years.
Ms Farmer said the family travelled back-and-forth between Timaru and Sailors Cutting for most of January and February to make the most of summer.
"It’s a nice place to be and it’s really close to the boat harbour to put the boat in and it’s great with the cycle track. We’re really lucky to be able to bring our dog," she said.
"We’ve got friends in Otematata so we like visiting them... and then Omarama’s never far away."
Waitaki district camping supervisor Simon Fox said Sailors Cutting was quiet before Christmas but now the camping ground was as busy as ever, filled with third-generation families and boaties.
"People just want to go up and relax. They’re good people - in 18 years I’ve never ever had a problem there," Mr Fox said.
The weather had not been the best. The boat ramp was only very busy for three days, when it was usually "chocka" for 10 days.
