Heading to Kidds Bush DOC Campground at last

Apr 18
2 min read

Thursday 9 April

Check out time was 11am, but things are pretty casual at Albert Town so I got a few chores done while Louis worked on the new app he’s developing and bought us a new DOC pass for the year. Chores time was quite hectic - stock up the fridge & pantry, do the darks laundry & dispose of the Nescafé coffee pods - recycling bin at the aquatic centre… yay!

We packed up and left our little spot on the rabbit warren mound at around noon, swung by the dump station to empty old water and fill up with new then hit the road north up the side of lovely Lake Hāwea to Kidds Bush. Leopards Go Wild had stayed here Christmas 2024 and we’d had this DOC camp on our wish list since seeing their video, but never had enough time nor the right weather to get there. Trekking up the side of Lake Hāwea we were treated to some stunning views, then just before The Neck (the saddle over to Lake Wānaka) we turned right onto Meads Road.

The road in suggested it wasn’t suitable for large vehicles but we knew larger than us had got through so we pressed on - a few narrow bits and a few ruts, but the biggest problem was bolshie cows standing and lying in the road and refusing to let us pass!!

The ground & grass was pretty slick & soggy (so much so that we had to wait while a bus-van was being towed out by a 4WD as it was stuck in the mud!) so we scouted out an awesome spot on hard sand & gravel near the lakeside and manoeuvred in there. Banjo got a front row spot by the lake - but not as close as the two campers sitting out in their moon chairs just taking in the majestical view!

Chill afternoon - especially for Louis who had a dip in the lake (15*C)! - and a wee wander for me. The cows were still doing their best to hold up the traffic! How now brown cow - you with the dirty feet! She wasn’t moving for anyone - took two cars beeping in unison and creeping towards her to get her off the road 🤣 She had an awful lot to say for herself!