Sandymount Recreation Reserve, Dunedin

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Last Updated on April 3, 2023 by Jon Algie

Short walks in the Sandymount Recreation Reserve put you face to face with some of Dunedin’s best coastal views. One takes you up to the top of Sandymount for an awesome view over Allans Beach and Hoopers Inlet and the other to a slightly less elevated lookout. The longer track to Lovers Leap and the Chasm has been closed for the last few years — we’re hoping those spots open up again at some point!

The Lower Lookout

From the car park head straight up the road through a gauntlet of tall trees. You’ll soon reach a farm gate and from it’s a short walk through fields to the viewpoint overlooking Allans Beach. It’s only around 1 km from the car park to the viewpoint.

Sandymount Viewpoint

You’ll see the sign for the Sandymount Viewpoint close to the car park. It’s a short climb up the sandy slopes for an amazing view over Hoopers Inlet and Allans Beach. Go on a sunny day and the colours will really stand out!

A short way up this path you’ll see a track heading down to Sandfly Bay which takes around 45 minutes. You’ll have to walk all the way back to the Sandymount car park if you left your car there (and there is easier access to Sandfly Bay on the other side). It’s worth walking down that track for a few minutes for a good look at Sandfly Bay and the southern end of the Otago Peninsula.

The Chasm and Lovers Leap

These two spots have been off limits for the last few years. The Chasm is a series of eroded sea cliffs, with the viewpoint provides great views down the coast towards Lovers Leap.

The Chasm as seen on the Sandymount Track, Dunedin, New ZealandAwesome views on the Sandymount Track, Dunedin, New Zealand

Lovers Leap is a large arch which fills with water as waves crash against the coast. 

Lovers Leap seen on the Sandymount Track, Dunedin, New Zealand

Getting to the Sandymount Recreation Reserve

Most people arrive at Sandymount by car. Either drive up Highcliff Road until you come to Sandymount Road or turn down Allans Beach road in Portobello and then turn right onto Hoopers Inlet road. Check out the Lime Kilns, a short distance from Sandymount Recreation Reserve.

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out our Dunedin Travel Guide — it’ll give you lots of tips for getting the most out of your trip to Dunedin!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.