• Trish Bulling
  • Neil Bulling

Easter 2025 - Kakanui

Otematata then Kakanui with family Les mer
  • Reisens start
    16. april 2025

    Cromwell - Boat Harbour Camp - Otematata

    16.–17. apr., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Cromwell to Otematata today. We are on our way to Kakanui to spend Easter with our family.
    Had a great trip through the Lindis Pass, lots of vehicles going the other way, Wheels on Wanaka is on this weekend so we saw many vintage tractors, trucks & cars.
    Had a stop at Tarras, Neil was in heaven with his date scone, cream & jam, my orange cake was delicious. Had late lunch at Omarama & of course, Neil had to have a Wrinkly Rams mince pie. One of our favourite cafes.
    We are camping at the Boat Harbour Freedom Camp at Otematata. We walked the Otematata Wetlands walk, it was beautiful, hats off to all the volunteers who formed this track, planted the trees, painted the picnic table bright colours and positioned them with stunning views of Lake Aviemore and the birdlife. We stopped to talk to some of the volunteers and one of them was a childhood friend of the Bulling family, Carson Welsh. It is a small world.
    Spotted some gorgeous mushrooms, especially the bright red ones with white spots (Fly Agaric - Amanita muscaris).
    We would recommend this camp to fellow travellers.
    Les mer

  • Otematata to Kakanui

    17.–21. apr., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Kakanui 15 degrees, cold wind, raining.
    Really enjoyed our night at Boat Harbour Camp, will be back. Stopped at Kurow for a coffee, we went to a new cafe called Waitaki Braids. Beautifully restored building incorporating a hotel & cafe - what a treasure to find, if you are in Kurow you must visit.
    Once we were set up at Rachael & Hamish’s place in Kakanui - took a while to get level but with a big of digging and a couple of planks we managed. Then off to Dunedin to the Brisoces sale. We needed a few things for our future travels and the caravan, we got them all for 1/2 price so we felt as though we were winning 😆 back to Kakanui to wait for Rachael Hamish & the boys. Wet day, but had a lovely walk on the beach, Flo was a drenched wee girl. Beau was wondering why we were on his seat!
    Night of catching up and a game of Mr White. Note to self, don’t tell the Grandkids you are taking a photo 😁
    Les mer

  • Kakanui Day 2

    19. april, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    20 degrees, sunny, light wind
    We are all at Kakanui except Ben, Tom and little Sam who are at Pohara putting a new roof on Mouse’s house. Kylie and Archie arrived at 11am.
    Quick trip to Oamaru for groceries and a rugby ball for the boys (they always play touch), back home for walks on the beach, Neil and older Grandson’s went mussel and paua hunting but unfortunately the low tide was extremely high so hard to access.
    Toby and Hamish went out for a 2nd surf, Paul went for a big run and Archie had a great time playing in the ocean. The boys had their game of touch rugby then cards.
    I have received wonderful birthday messages and presents, thank you everyone.
    Food over Fire tonight that Hamish is cooking - Yum
    Les mer

  • Kakanui Day 3

    20. april, New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Kakanui Day 3 - Wet, 16 degrees
    The raindrops didn’t deter people from going for walks and swimming in the ocean. Kylie, Archie, Flo and I went for a walk in the rain to the playground, there are boat sheds by the river inlet, some with some interesting signage.
    Even I donned my wetsuit for a boogie board (after being dared by the grandsons), funnily enough there were no other people on the beach, our family is a bit different 😆 Hamish & Toby were doing their best to catch some surfing waves. I loved it, great exercise.
    Neil was busy in Cruisey Cafè serving up coffees after the dip in the ocean. Yes, we bought our coffee maker in the caravan, no problem when we are hooked up to power.
    Hamish & Sam braved the conditions to harvest us some paua & mussels - Hamish cooked the paua’s, delicious!
    Gabby, Matteo’s girlfriend, braided Kim, Paul & Rachael’s hair 😁 Rachael whipped up Nacho’s for dinner, fun day considering it was wet & dreary.
    Les mer

  • Kakanui - Otematata - Cromwell

    22. april, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We left Kakanui after spending a lovely few days with our family and another get together at Cafe Royale in the caravan. Neil perfecting his selfie game. Archie loved the caravan!
    We stopped at our new favourite cafe, Waitaki Braids, in Kurow before carrying on to Otematata Boat Harbour Camp. This is one of the Waitaki District Council camps. We loving that it only takes about 10 minutes to get set up once we reach our camping spot. Went for another walk around the Wetlands walk. The mushrooms were all in an area of about 5sqm, they are a miracle of nature. The Autumn colours were stunning.
    Left Otematata around 8am, stopped at Wrinkly Rams because that is compulsory with Neil then home by 11, another great trip.
    Les mer

    Reisens slutt
    22. april 2025