Tunnel Beach Track
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Tunnel Beach Track
2 km return | 1 hour return
A wild Otago coastline, a tunnel piercing the sandstone cliffs and crashing waves which foam like fireworks. On a sunshine and lollipops day the track is a great spot to explore. But it is most impressive in a south-west gale with big swells. Then the power of the nature’s sculpting forces can be realised and some sense of how the rock arches and offshore stacks are formed.
Walking Track
Timing
The track crosses private property and may be closed for lambing in spring.
The beaches through the tunnel can only be explored at low tide. Check times at http://www.metservice.com/marine-surf/tides/dunedin
Access
From St Clair follow Blackhead Road to where Tunnel Beach Road is signposted. Continue 300 m to the parking area.
Track
It is a steady and steep descent. Although the track is metalled, it is prone to slips and can be muddy. Once at the cliffs, use some common sense and don’t risk your life for a better photo. Follow the tunnel to the beach proper, which can be explored only at low tide.
Geology
The rock along this coastline is soft Caversham sandstone, an extensive thick sediment laid down around 20 million years ago. The sandstone was later overlain by other sediments. The Otago Peninsula is volcanic in origin and lava ejected around 12 million years ago covered the sandstone here. Fossils are also present in the stone, with species of brachiopod or echinoderm (sea urchin). Some of the cliff faces have vertical rusty streaks of iron rich veins.
When swells come from the south, fueled by intense winds, the sea can harness formidable power. The soft stone is eroded into caves and sea arches, which eventually collapse to form offshore stacks.
European History
Although difficult to verify factually, it is said the tunnel was built in the 1870s at the request of notable Dunedin resident John Cargill. He required a secluded place for his daughters to bathe with modesty, to safeguard their privacy from prying Victorian eyes.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Nice exit at Tunnel Beach.
Good spot for pictures!! The descent is rather easy but the reclimb is far more difficult for the novice.
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4.0/5
Well maintained track and a little gem in Dunedin.
Got there at low tide and spent a good while exploring. Would be cool to see why the tunnel was put there.
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4.5/5
This is one of my favourite walks.
It is fast to the bottom and a slow return. The track is in great condition and we took an off road pram (with downhill breaking) down to the top of the tunnel stairs (this is a NO GO with a normal street pram). The views are amazing and enhanced on a sunny day. The stairs down the tunnel can be slippery but it is worth the walk. The edges (fenced) off should be respected as the geology is delicate. The track has no shade so wear sunscreen. It is a long hard walk back to the car but if I can do it pushing a pram you can walk it. Expect to spend longer at the bottom that you intend.
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4.0/5
Beautiful beach with stunning cliffs, although a tough walk back up the track and might be difficult if you were older with poor knees.
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4.0/5
Steep walk down (and back up!) but worth the views.
Beautiful beach and fun tunnel to walk through. Also, FREE!
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4.0/5
Is worth it if you are around the area.
Stunning rocks in the sea, cliffs and wavy sea.
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4.5/5
Short walk, there is a tunnel through the rock to go down the beach.
Beautiful cliffs and waves.
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4.5/5
Great walkway, beautiful coastline and also seals.
Great spot for taking pictures.
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4.0/5
Nice exit at Tunnel Beach.
Good spot for pictures!! The descent is rather easy but the reclimb is far more difficult for the novice.
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4.0/5
Well maintained track and a little gem in Dunedin.
Got there at low tide and spent a good while exploring. Would be cool to see why the tunnel was put there.
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4.5/5
This is one of my favourite walks.
It is fast to the bottom and a slow return. The track is in great condition and we took an off road pram (with downhill breaking) down to the top of the tunnel stairs (this is a NO GO with a normal street pram). The views are amazing and enhanced on a sunny day. The stairs down the tunnel can be slippery but it is worth the walk. The edges (fenced) off should be respected as the geology is delicate. The track has no shade so wear sunscreen. It is a long hard walk back to the car but if I can do it pushing a pram you can walk it. Expect to spend longer at the bottom that you intend.
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4.0/5
Beautiful beach with stunning cliffs, although a tough walk back up the track and might be difficult if you were older with poor knees.
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4.0/5
Steep walk down (and back up!) but worth the views.
Beautiful beach and fun tunnel to walk through. Also, FREE!
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4.0/5
Is worth it if you are around the area.
Stunning rocks in the sea, cliffs and wavy sea.
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4.5/5
Short walk, there is a tunnel through the rock to go down the beach.
Beautiful cliffs and waves.
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4.5/5
Great walkway, beautiful coastline and also seals.
Great spot for taking pictures.
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5.0/5
A sometimes steep track to a beach, the end goes through a small tunnel.
Stunning views over a spectacular, rocky coastline. The walk takes one hour return. Not many people and it is a free attraction you must visit! One of the absolute highlights!
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4.5/5
A nice and short walk with few tourists.
The view is beautiful and the tunnel access is fun. A good surprise close to Dunedin.
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5.0/5
Spectacular walk and location.
Check for high tide, though. Well worth the detour.
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3.5/5
We missed the turn because it was not signposted, but when we did get there it is easy to get to and amazing to look at.
Best when the beach is available.
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4.0/5
Steep one hour walk to "the tunnel" at first the track seems not that special (besides a nice view on the beach), when you pass the tunnel you will arrive in a lovely secluded bay.
Enjoy.
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5.0/5
Nice steep walk to secluded beach.
Bring lunch and have a nice day at the beach with only yourselves and no other visitors!
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5.0/5
Track is a bit hidden (Tunnel Road).
Very steep descent to the beach. Awesome scenery when you reach the tunnel entrance. Bring your swimsuit.
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4.0/5
Great tip from nice waiter of Plato restaurant (Dunedin), won't tell a lot otherwise I spoil the surprise, just go, 1 hour walk return.
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4.5/5
Beautiful beach!
Also quiet and not very touristy which makes the experience only better!
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5.0/5
VERY STEEP track, 20 min downhill, 30 min back up.
But when you are on the beach it's breathtaking.
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