Tunnel Beach, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and a rocky coastline, is one of Dunedin’s most iconic sights. The steps leading down to the beach were commissioned by William Cargill way back in 1870s so his family could frolic in the tropical water (or not, this is Dunedin after all). The combination of history and nature makes Tunnel Beach a must-visit, but it does require a bit of effort.
Walking to Tunnel Beach
From the car park at the top of the hill you’ll need to walk a short distance down to the beach. It’s quite steep so make sure you wear good shoes. The views from the track are stunning — the powerful Pacific Ocean has created a rugged coastline full of interesting features. The most notable of these features is the big arch protruding out into the sea. Once at the bottom of the hill you’ll see a flight of stone steps leading to Tunnel Beach.
READ MORE: 30 Fun Things to Do in Dunedin
Walking through a 140 year old tunnel is an interesting way to get to a beach. Tunnel beach is one of the best, and most unique, beaches in Dunedin. It’s backed by cliffs and boulders and features a massive slab of earth extending into the water. If you visit Tunnel Beach at high tide you won’t be able to access much of the beach – check the tides before you go!
Above Tunnel Beach
It’s worth walking up to the top of that the small outcrop that juts out into the ocean — from there you can get a great view of the beach from above. This whole area is really beautiful — if you want to see some of Dunedin’s famous coastline this is a great place to do it.
Read More: Cargill’s Castle, Dunedin
Getting There
Some tour buses visit Tunnel Beach but most people visit by car. It’s a short distance from town heading south, further along you’ll find Blackhead, Brighton and Taieri Mouth, all of which feature awesome coastal views (and the Taieri River Track is a Dunedin highlight). You could easily spend a day exploring this part of Dunedin. You can also get there by bus but you’ll have to walk a bit — take the bus to Corstorphine and get off at the corner of Middleton Road and Stenhope Crescent (tell the driver you’re going to Tunnel Beach and they should tell you where to get off).– it’s around 30 minutes from there to the car park.
Read More: Don’t have your own transport in Dunedin? Check out the bus timetables — it’s not the easiest city to get around on public transport but it can be done. Also, check out our article on Brighton Beach!
Planning a New Zealand getaway? Make sure to check out our two-week South Island itinerary!
Jon Algie
Latest posts by Jon Algie (see all)
- Hiking the Ackers Point Lighthouse Track, Stewart Island - September 21, 2021
- Hiking the Routeburn Track in 3 Days: Tips | What to Pack | What You’ll See - September 12, 2021
- 20 of the Best Things to Do in Central Otago - August 30, 2021