As you wind through back roads and farmland from Hinds to the northern side of the river mouth, the post boxes go from cute to quirky and the pace of life slows - quite literally when you hit the 20km/h zone at the Rangitata Huts and the campground next door.

The Rangitata north campground is a popular summer holiday spot for locals and newcomers from out of town alike.

Summer camping holidays at the Rangitata River mouth are an institution for the Wilson family from Hinds.

They have been regulars at the Rangitata River Camping Ground for the festive season break for the past 12 years.

Mum, Valeska Wilson, said the campground was a safe environment with lots of activities with fishing, boating and river fun.

It had the bonus of being conveniently close to their lifestyle block.

"If the weather is bad, we can just go home."

Wilson said she enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the fact there was no internet.

"It's just pure camping," she said.

Ashburton man Wayne McDowell was relaxing with family friends at a site across the way where young Harper Morgan was painting rainbow colours on butterfly wings. She was on holiday with her family and dog, Charlie.

McDowell said they came to the Rangitata about 10 times a year - but this was the first time they were staying to see the New Year in.

They enjoyed coming to the Rangitata to relax and to fish.

In a different part of the campsite, Angela Ross from Ashburton was reading a book in the shade behind a shelterbelt hedge.

She said the family had bought a caravan a few months ago and had been coming down to camp at the river mouth for the last few months. The family's cocker spaniels Bella and Beau were enjoying the relaxed holiday atmosphere too.

Ashburton couple, John and Shirley Davidson are caretakers at the Rangitata campground this summer.

John said the council-owned campsite charged reasonable rates which was why it appealed to local families.

"It's a good, happy place."

The New Year activities at the nearby Rangitata Huts with everything from running races to raffles was another reason the site was popular at this time of year, he said.

Two families from Christchurch made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to the Rangitata when the weather forecast for plan A at the Rakaia Gorge was not looking that great.

Kim Wylie said she used to camp regularly at Spencer Park north of Christchurch but now preferred to try somewhere new each year.

Adam Newman said the campground was a good find and said the hospitality from the Davidsons as caretakers had been "great".

The campground has 24 powered sites and ample unpowered sites for off-grid camping along with kitchen and laundry facilities and an ablution block.

By Sharon Davis