Quoin Point Bull Creek

Thirty-one keen walkers headed south and after regrouping at the turnoff to Quoin Point road parked in a paddock opposite the wool shed at the end of the road where lambs were being drafted.

We followed the farm road leading down the hill towards Quoin Point and then turning right opening closing gates where appropriate before stopping after 15 minutes near an inlet with a choice of sun or shade. Shade was more popular.

We continued across the paddocks and paused for a time near a caravan and new home above it on the hillside with natives planted in two paddocks while Bruce chatted to the land owner Peter O’Connor of Riversdale. Peter said he was happy for trampers to traverse his property and did not need to ask his permission in the future. The two paddocks are linked by a pipe gate and the best exit to the beach and Bull Creek was at the far corner nearest the sea of the second paddock. The path goes down the hill over some grey rocks and then along the coast to Bull Creek. He plans to mow a track across the lower part of his property in about two years to make access easier.

We had lunch on the North side of Bull Creek in case the rising tide cut us off. A seal was spotted in the water at Bull Creek and another mammal seen in the distance on the rocks on the way back. Clare’s family had built a dam across the creek so that the seaweed in the creek could be flushed out once the dam broke.

Clare kindly arranged for 3 of the party to travel back by car; a 25 minute journey going near Milton.
The weather remained fine. Distance 13.56 km, Climb 384 m. We started walking at about 10 am and were back to the cars at 3 pm. There were many views of the coastal rocks. Hay tedding was in progress on one paddock and for the others the hay had been cut and baled since the recce.

Future walks on the property might be considered for mid-February or after when the sheep are likely to have been shorn, the lambs drafted and the hay cut which makes walking easier. Thanks to the co-leaders Alex Griffin, Helen Morris and Phil Morris for their valuable leadership. Also to Neil for his opening the gates, waiting for the last person to go through and then, remarkably, being in position to open the next gate. He was also better at spotting where the next gate in paddock was, possibly due to his eyes operating at a higher elevation. Thank you again Neil. Our thanks are also due the land owners Alan Shaw, Gwen Lane and Peter O’Connor for their kind permission to be on their properties and to Clare for her local knowledge of the area and assistance with offering transport back to the cars for three persons.

Because the Brighton Café closes at 4 pm the group was given the opportunity to make their own choice for coffee, such as at Waihola or Mosgiel, or an ice cream at Brighton.
Bruce Spittle

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RAMBLERS, HIKERS and TRAMPERS report.

On a calm morning 33 keen, happy members drove up Law road and along the coast through Akatore to Quoin Point road, driving a couple of kms down to the wool shed.  At 10am 6 Ramblers headed off to enjoy their day, leaving 27 to hike to Bull Creek.

We walked down through paddocks to the rocks where we had smoko.

(In 2014 we tried to count the pod of seals both big and small), however, today we only spotted a couple along the way.  As well as 4 leaders, we had markers still in place from the Tokomairiro High school trail bike fundraiser held a couple of weeks ago guiding us. The paddocks were dry and nice to walk on.  With lots of gates to open/close, amazing coastal scenery, gullies with native bush, 3 old farm houses and a couple of creeks to cross.  2 hours of hiking then came to a standstill at the now fenced off access to Bull Creek.  Even with 2 stiles to cross over, their was not a track to be found.  We  back-tracked a short distance and found our way down.  3 Members decided on a bit of  bush bashing, 2 were through in no time———then through  came Doug (our 90 year old) with a grin, having enjoyed his scramble!!

To save getting wet feet, a most enjoyable, sociable and scenic lunch was had by all on the rocks, before you cross the creek to the iconic kiwi cribs from 12:00 to 1:00.

Then it was time to head back the way we came, arriving to the cars at 3pm.  2 cars travelled down the Taieri Beach road through pine forest (a new road for some) while the others down the more scenic road to the Black Swan Waihola for Coffee.

As always another happy outing covering about 12 kms.  I think it is really important having the combined monthly hike, walking, talking and catching up with our hikers and ramblers.

Different theories on how Bull Creek got its name.  From a fictional character called John Bull, to the Otago Witness’ report in 1904 of the story of a wild Bull meeting a grisly end in the area, with the bull’s head later being hung on the wall of “Bulls Cottage”
The 42 or so cribs are spread over about 4ha and have their own 35 year lease, set up some years ago with the then land owners.
Eleanore, Helen, Bob and Jannette

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14. 4/4/2018. Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. M. Leaders: Ian,  Arthur and Bob.

The day was fine when twenty-seven of us started down from a  busy shearing shed at the end of Quoin Point Road to morning-tea down by the Quoin Point rocks. Both we and a multitude of inquisitive young seals were amazed at the sight of each other.

Ten trampers set off first, closely followed by eleven Hikers…

… leaving seven Ramblers behind to enjoy a more leisurely walk, which they took as far as the first house, returning along the beaches before having to regain the paddocks. They got back to the cars at 1.15 p.m.

For the others, the route varied between the flats of rocks and beach where practicable, and paddocks and gates where necessary. Towards lunch-time the query of “how much further” was beginning to be raised by some of the newer hikers. The hut-on-the-paddock’s site had complicated matters with new electric fencing forcing skirting around it before reaching the familiar route again. (We did better on the return trip.)

.. in time to get round to including the picnic area and the  Bull Creek Bush Walk.

The Hikers, with their much later arrival, (their walk enriched however with much mushroom-picking) had time only to get through their lunch

before the low-tide’s turn prompted getting back across the creek.

On the return trip, our two groups were mixed and strung out as people moved off from Bull Creek in their own time. Admirably, Bob, our back marker, kept his disciplined place, to ensure we all got back in one piece.
This time, at the second stile, fortunately Arthur remembered to remain on the flat until we had got past below the little paddock hut before resuming the paddocks.
So we straggled back to the cars, strung out in various groups, some faster, others slower as the weariness of a 12 km tramp set in. Bob’s sterling work as back marker, at this point really paid off.  Several paddocks short of our destination one of us found the going too much and needed rescuing. Gordon, a new member of the club who had accompanied Bob stayed back to keep watch, while Bob strode on to fetch his large four-wheel-drive ute back to the rescue.
So all’s well that ends well. with the day ending with a congenial “coffee” stop off at Brighton. – Ian.

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13. 30/7/2014. Trampers. Quoin Point to Bull Creek.

A good group of eight set out from the farm road at Quoin Point to walk along to Bull Creek. there was a bit of a wind blowing which kept the temperature down, & it was VERY muddy going across the paddocks. We didn’t get onto the beach very much as the tide was quite high, even although on the tramp program it was stated to be low at 11:30 approx. [Yes, a 0.3 m low tide i.e. on the higher side – Ed]
It was surprising to see that the gates along the coastal paddocks had “Walking Access” signs attached to them, so good on the land owners for allowing this.
We had morning tea in the shelter of some rocks, & lunch at Bull Creek. Lunch was a reasonably hurried affair, as the sandflies were eating more than we were!!! The exit of Bull Creek onto the beach was probably passable, but we didn’t fancy getting wet feet so we stayed on the Nth. side.
After lunch, it was just a return walk mostly back along the paddocks to the cars. The wind had started to dry out the very muddy parts, so it was only just a little less muddy going back. But, unfortunatly, one member slipped over at one point, & has some dirty washing to attend to !! We walked 12.3km in approx 4hrs. – Ken.

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12. 5/3/2014 Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Leaders: Lex and Peter.

Failed to reach Bull Creek. Ed note.

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11. 13/2/2013 Trampers. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. (9)

Nine of us enjoyed the tramp, three of us oldies, six newies, to show it off to. And they did appreciate it.

We saw lots of seals/sealions (?) on the way.

It was surprising to see such a high sandbar at Bull Creek.

Although a souwester was very strong at times it was good tramping weather.
A feature of the tramp at its end was the discovery of a very flat battery in Ian F’s car, whose parking lights had been accidentally knocked on and left for 5 hours! With an AA call-out rescue, we got all got home by teatime. – Ian.

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10. 2/6/2010. Both. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Leaders: George and Dot.

It was a most unusual start. Various reports had it that after the recent rainy period the paddocks would be too wet or the coast road would have been damaged. As it turned out, not – in either case. The upshot was though, that one of the leaders led a number on a round trip road walk up the Scroggs Hill from Brighton. 12 went on to Quoin Point. Of the 12, only 4 went to Bull Creek.

The remainder stopped for lunch a few gullies back.

The day was brilliant with little wind.

It was a good day out. All the more enjoyable for contrasting with the previous week’s extended rain. – Ian

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9. 23/12/2009. Trampers. Ken and George. Quoin Point to Bull Creek.

A good walk on Wednesday, lots of rock hopping. It was a perfect day for it as well, with virtually no wind, and not too much sun either.

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8. 4/4/2007. All. Quoin Point to Bull Creek. Easy+. Leaders: George, Hazel, Eleanor B, Joyce S

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7. 1/3/2006 All. Quoint Point, Bull Creek. Easy. Leaders: Dot B, Glenis, Frank & Lesley

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6. 6/4/2005. Both. Quoin Point. Leaders: Hazel, Dot B, Anne R, Colleen.

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5. 22/1/2003. Both. Quoin Point, Bull Creek. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Bill and Pat, Denise.

4. 24/4/2002. Quoin Point Bull Creek. Medium. Leaders: Graham, Bill & Pat

3. 28/11/2000. Quoin Point. Leaders: George, Pam, Audrey K.

2. 29/3/2000. Quoin Point Bull Creek Leaders: George, Hazel, Bev J.

1. 15/5/1996. Quoin Point – Bull Creek. Return. Russell Road. Medium. Leaders: Jack M, George, Ted, Jack R.

Alternative: Woodhaugh – Leith Valley. Average. Leaders: Daphne, Mary Y