Discover Bushy Beach in Ōamaru
Bushy Beach, located at the southern end of Cape Wanbrow in Ōamaru, on the east coast of North Otago, is known for its striking orange sand and wildlife. It is also home to kekeno and hoiho, and, unlike other beaches in the area, the beach is bordered by native forest, setting it apart from nearby farmland-lined shores.
Wildlife Encounters
Bushy Beach is a narrow surf beach, at just 300 metres long, making it relatively easy to observe rare hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguins, in their natural habitat. These penguins nest in the forest above the beach, and while you may not always see them, their calls are often heard echoing through the trees.
To protect the penguins as they return from the sea to their nests, the gate at the top of the steep slope above the beach is closed from 3 pm to 6 pm. During these hours, you can use the track along the cliff's edge to reach penguin-viewing spots above the north end of the beach.
Additionally, kekno (fur seals) frequent the beach. Don’t be surprised to almost stand on one as you walk down he steep track onto the beach. If you're planning to relax on the sand, be sure to maintain a respectful distance from these marine mammals.
How to Get There
From downtown Ōamaru, take Tyne Street south to the edge of town, where it curves left into Bushy Beach Road. At the road's end, you'll find a car park atop the cliff. From there, a track leads to a gate providing beach access, closed from 3 pm to 6 pm daily to protect hoiho as they return from the sea. Be aware that the descent to the beach is steep and will not be suitable for everyone. However, the walk above the cliffs to the viewpoints is easy.
Other nearby places to visit include Friendly Bay, the Ōamaru Public Gardens, Ōamaru Whitestone and the Heritage Precinct, and Lookout Point. If you continue south on Beach Road, you can see a much longer example of the incredible orange sand on Kakanui Beach.
