Happy campers are awash with fish

Local families camping at Mowhanau Beach had caught and eaten so many fish over the past week they were having a roast dinner last night for a change.

Lyn Crawford said they decided they all needed a change from fish and so were cooking a leg of lamb on the barbecue.

"We're going to roast a leg of lamb ... with plenty of roast potatoes and kumara,"she said.

The three families from Springvale in Wanganui said Mowhanau Beach camp was a popular holiday mecca for Wanganui families.

They been staying at the camp since Christmas Day and said it was fabulous.

Steve Staines said they only had to travel 15 minutes to their destination.

And as well as enjoying plenty of relaxation and swimming, the fishing exceeded their wildest dreams, they said.

Mr Staines said he'd never known the fishing to be so good.

"We set the net and we're hauling in huge catches of lemon fish, kahawai and snapper ... just magnificent."

A large marquee was being set up in the middle of the ground to welcome in 2013 with a Hawaiian theme.

"We'll all be there. Don't know about the Hawaiian theme, though," Mr Staines said.