Capital caveman finds life's a beach

PHIL REID/The Dominion Post

ROOM WITH A VIEW: Ross Collins enjoys the open air at the entrance to his cave, which took about a year and a half to create.

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When 71-year-old Ross Collins got bored with sunbathing he picked up a hammer and chisel and smashed his way through metres of rock to create his own split-level cave.

"When I went to Breaker Bay it was nice, but you just lie in the sand and are doing nothing with your life."

The hideaway grotto, metres from the water's edge at the entrance to Wellington Harbour, features a cosy storage area and sitting room at beach level - and even a first-floor bedroom.

"You go in about eight feet and make a sharp right-hand turn and climb up about four feet and there is the inner cave where I have made a bed."

The entrance has a sturdy wooden lean-to made of materials found on the beach and beside the road.

The cave's rock walls are decorated with old sink plugs, can openers and pieces of paua shell.

"I am really proud of it. I have it in my will that when I go I want my ashes thrown around the area."

Mr Collins found the site for his secluded cavern when he got caught in the rain.

"I saw a crack in the rock and I managed to back into it ... I then got a hammer and coal chisel and went through 20 metres of rock. That has taken me about a year and a half."

Mr Collins, who says he "doesn't like paying rent", lives in a motor home which is often parked near Seatoun. But in summer he spends up to four days a week at the cave.

"I don't sleep much in the cave - somebody might pinch me motor home - but I spend about 10 or 12 hours throwing stones around, tidying up a bit, maybe digging out some more of the cave."

A regular stream of people pops in to visit the man known locally as The Hermit.

"A lady left me $20 just because I showed her children the cave. Some others provided me with some saveloys they had cooked on the barbecue."

Mr Collins has prostate cancer and the disease has spread to other parts of his body, including his legs and shoulder.

As a young man, he worked as a bus driver in Wellington to support his wife and two daughters. When his marriage ended he moved to Australia for a 30-year stint as a driver before returning two years ago.

City councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer said the council was aware of the cave and lean-to but would not stop Mr Collins using it.

"He lives his life the way he wishes to and is not causing any harm or damage. We should be relaxed about it."