"Bull Creek - it's one of the best kept secrets," says camper Ian Mckay. Well, the secret is out now.
About 15km east of Milton, nestled on the South Otago coastline, is a small settlement called Bull Creek.
There are many different theories on how the place 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 "Bull Cottage".
More than 40 holiday homes dot the coastline where families have worked together to provide amenities that all enjoy. These include public toilets, changing rooms for those keen to spend time on the beach, and a bush walk. Members of the local community endeavour to control pests and have replanted a lot of native plants, especially rata.
Access to the beach and bush is gained by driving along a gravel track past the cribs, which are for the most part traditional Kiwi holiday homes, not the glossy modern homes that appear in many popular holiday spots around the country.
At low tide it is also possible to cross the mouth of Bull Creek and explore further along the coast, or to walk up the long, sandy inlet to join the start of the bush track. The hour-long bush walk crosses several footbridges as it winds into the Bull Creek Scenic Reserve.
The future of this blissful seaside settlement was secured two years ago when crib owners signed a lease agreement with landowner Gwen Lane.
For more than 100 years, the continued existence of the cluster of cribs had relied entirely on the agreement of the owner of the farmland on which they stood. Now, about 42 cribs hold their own 35-year lease agreement with Mrs Lane.
Mrs Lane (87) and her late husband, Powell Lane, bought the 148ha sheep farm - including the 4ha on which the cribs stand - in 1956.
"They [cribbies] are a pretty good lot. They respect me and I respect them. Everything is well looked after."
The 2011-12 new year saw the largest number Mrs Lane had ever seen gathered at Bull Creek, with 2012 welcomed with fireworks on the beach and a relaxed and friendly family atmosphere.
Mrs Lane said Bull Creek was unique in how it was run and its sense of community.
"There haven't been many changes over the years - we like it that way."
A small number of campers also visit Bull Creek during the holiday season.
Ian Mckay, of Milton, has camped at Bull Creek each summer for the past three years.
"Every year we say we're not coming back, but we always do. When the weather is fine it's the best place in the world."
The location is great with the forest, sea, and creek and the "cribbies" were well-organised, with sewage cleaned out regularly and working bees held, Mr Mckay said.
Faye Pryde, of Mosgiel, said it was nice to get away from the rat-race for a while. "We've been eating paua steaks and venison - dining like kings really."
For such a small holiday community, there is a lot happening, even when the seas are too rough for boat users and fishermen, as they use the down-time to fashion sinkers out of lead using a home-made system in a garage.
There are also plenty of organised events from Christmas to just after New Year's Day, like sports days, fishing and sandcastle-building competitions.
When the Otago Daily Times visited the small seaside settlement, cribbies and campers were gearing up for the grand finale of Bull Creek's social calendar - the home brew competition. Ken Wright, who brews his own liquor, part-organises and competes in the event.
"Everyone judges the brews and writes their scores on bits of paper. It kicks off around 3pm or so and by 6pm it gets quite noisy."
With about eight sections from beer to wine to spirits, the entries soon add up.
The competition has been running over the holiday period for about 20 years and shows no signs of waning.
Crib-owner Sue Nelson - not to be confused with another Sue Nelson who also owns a crib at Bull Creek - said she and husband John Taal found out about the area from other cribbies, and bought a property there in 2000.
"It's a great spot which has a good sense of community. Everyone gets together and pitches in, from working bees to organising events."
And Bull Creek would not be the place it is without Mrs Lane, she said.
"Mrs Lane really cares about the place - it makes it the place it is."
Both cribbies and landowners are fiercely protective of the unique nature of the place and constantly warned the ODT not to be too glowing in our report.
"We don't like Bull Creek in the paper, put in somewhere else!" Mr Wright laughed.
