Second Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand

Second Beach, Dunedin

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Last Updated on January 23, 2025 by Jon Algie

Just around the corner from St Clair Beach is the short track to Second Beach. It’s a fun little detour from the main St Clair Beach / Esplanade area, and the scenery is quite different. Keep reading for the information you’ll need!

Second Beach Walk

The walking trail to Second Beach is hidden away — I reckon heaps of people visit St Clair without knowing it’s there. To find the track head towards St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool at the southern end of the beach. There’s a path going up from there, or you can walk up the road. Once above the pool the route is obvious.

UPDATE JANURAY 2025: The track to Second Beach is currently closed due to damage.

Second Beach Walk, Dunedin, New Zealand

The track to Second Beach and back should take 15-20 minutes and it’s very easy. There are seats along the way – if you’re looking for a place to drink the coffee you just bought, this could be the place!

Second Beach view towards St Kilda, Dunedin, New Zealand

Second Beach

From the sandy shores of St Clair Beach to the rocky bay that is Second Beach is quite a contrast. You won’t be swimming, or going down to sea level at all, but the views on offer make it a worthy detour from St Clair Beach.

Second Beach, St Clair, Dunedin

You can walk around to the end of the bay, and you may see people climbing up the headland from there. I wouldn’t recommend it as it looks steep and unstable. I hope they put a proper track up there at some point, maybe all the way to Tunnel Beach.

Second Beach waves, Dunedin, New Zealand

Other Things to Do in St Clair

St Clair is the most popular beach destination in Dunedin. There are a few cafes, bars and restaurants which full up on hot, sunny days and the beach itself is perfect for surfing and swimming in the waves (if you can handle the cold water). There’s also the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool and St Kilda Beach, which is further along (it’s the same beach though). If the Second Beach Track isn’t long enough consider walking along the beach and up the dunes to John Wilson Drive and then along to Lawyers Head.

Are you planning a trip to Dunedin? Check out our list of the best beaches!

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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.