Exploring Bluecliffs Beach in Southland
Bluecliffs Beach is a remote and captivating stretch of coastline in Te Waewae Bay, Southland. Cliffs mostly border this long, curving beach, which extends from the Waiau River mouth to the western end of the bay. The beach is a unique opportunity to experience a largely undeveloped natural environment, with chances to swim, surf, beachcomb, and hike. It is also a marine mammal sanctuary, where you might spot Hector's dolphins and whales.
Access Points and Activities
There are three main access points to Bluecliffs Beach. From Tuātapere, you can take Papatotara Road, which connects to Papatotara Coast Road. Heading west on the gravel Papatotara Coast Road, you will reach The Cliffs, a side road with several houses and a walking track leading to the beach.
Continuing on Papatotara Coast Road beyond The Cliffs, you will find a sign for Bluecliffs Beach. This access point is near a lagoon fed by Rowallan Burn. There is a basic parking area near the beach, with a short walk on a 4WD track to the beach. The bright orange cliffs and the pebble and sand beach are spectacular. You can walk as far as you want in either direction along the beach. You may spot Elephant Rock on the far side of the stream as it flows across the beach from the lagoon.
The final access point is at the far west end of the bay, on the edge of Fiordland National Park. Here, you can reach the beach from the Rarakau car park, which is the starting point for the Hump Ridge Track and the South Coast Track. You need to walk from the car park down a side road to the beach, best visited as the tide retreats.
How to Get There
To reach Bluecliffs Beach, start from Tuātapere and follow Papatotara Road to Papatotara Coast Road. Continue west on the gravel road to access points at The Cliffs or further along at Bluecliffs Beach. For access via Fiordland National Park, head to the Rarakau car park at the start of the Hump Ridge Track. The drive from Tuatapere to Bluecliffs Beach takes 16 minutes, and to Rarakau car park 24 minutes.
