Spectacular surf, rock pools for the kids to explore, a sandy beach to paddle in, picnic spots and a peaceful valley walk through a forest of southern rata can all be found within an easy hour's drive of Dunedin at Bull Creek.
"Private Property: You are welcome if you treat this area with respect," reads the sign as you arrive at this spot, which is one of Coastal Otago's best-kept secrets. 
That sign embodies the spirit of Bull Creek, where the families that own the locality's 20-odd holiday homes have worked together to provide amenities that all can enjoy. These include public toilets, changing rooms for those keen to spend time on the beach, and a charming bush walk. The local community has also engaged in pest control and a significant replanting 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, as opposed to the sprawling mansions that dominate so much of our hinterland. From the community domain, a trail to your left leads to the bush, and another on the right heads for the beach.
The beach offers crashing surf on one side, a more gentle beach on the other, and rocky outcrops between. Swimming here requires considerable respect for the conditions, but exploring the rock pools and paddling are easy options. Watch out for seals though.
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 and picturesque 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.
Bull Creek, incidentally, is said to take its name from one or more bulls that frequented the area in the early days of European settlement.
Evidence of earlier Maori presence was discovered at nearby Watsons Beach several years ago.
So where, exactly, is this spot, and how do you get there?
Bull Creek is about 40km south 
of Dunedin (as the crow flies), and about 15km due east from Milton.
The more adventurous and scenic route from Dunedin runs down the coast via Brighton and Taieri Mouth. Continue south through Taieri Mouth. Soon after the turn-off to Livingstone Park the road climbs, and then becomes gravel.
You are now on Akatore Rd, and for most of the next 20km you will be driving along the fringes of the Akatore block of the Otago Coastal Forest.
Eventually, having passed Quion Point and Watson roads on your left, and several other roads on the right, you will come to a T-junction with Glenledi Rd signposted, right to Milton, and left to Bull Creek. Turn left, and keep bearing left at each intersection (Glenledi Rd eventually becomes Bull Creek Rd) until you reach Bull Creek after some 6km.
The alterative route to Bull Creek is from Milton: the easiest drive through to Bull Creek from here involves turning east, but then turning north on Back Rd until you reach Glenledi Rd. Then turn east again, and eventually you will connect with the coastal route described above. Allow an hour or slightly more to make the trip from Dunedin by either route, and combine them for a loop trip.
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