Holiday destination to open doors

• Published date: 03 November 2021
• Publication title: Courier, The

Tickets are being sold for the tour to raise funds for a reunion that will be held next year to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the holiday and fishing destination.

Committee members Deb Boon and Shirley Falloon said about 22 baches would be open to ticket holders.

‘‘We just thought it would be interesting for people to see what can be done with a basic fisherman’s cottage.

‘‘Some people have left their cottages very original, one still has a dirt floor,’’ Mrs Falloon said.

The community began in 1897 with a few huts being built by fishermen on the Rangitata River mouth, then in the 1950s it started to become more of a holiday destination.

‘‘Mum and the kids would stay there over holidays and the dad would come back to town to work,’’ Mrs Falloon said.

One family has had a bach there for six generations.

At least 10 people live in the community permanently, and baches still come up for sale.

The village has a little hall called Murphys...