Camp beside Ocean View Beach, Dunedin
Ocean View Beach is a south-facing, white sand surf beach on the Pacific Coast, over 4 km long, just east of Brighton and about 20 km southwest of central Dunedin. The west end of the beach is marked by Big Rock, a point that separates the beach from Brighton Beach. The east end is marked by the Kaikorai Lagoon. The beach becomes Blackhead Beach on the east side of the Lagoon.
The beach is ideal for swimming on calmer days, long coastal walks, and surfing when the swell is right. It’s known as an exposed point break that consistently produces good waves, best when southern swells meet northwest offshore winds.
The Ocean View Recreation Reserve is located right beside the beach, providing direct access to the sand. It’s a popular overnight stop for campervans, with basic facilities and unbeatable sea views.
Māori and European History
Ocean View lies on the southern coastline where early Māori travelled between settlements at Otokia, Taieri Mouth, and further north at Ōtākou on the Otago Peninsula. The area’s long beaches and estuaries were valued for fishing and shellfish gathering.
European settlement came later, with farms, small coastal communities, and seaside recreation developing around Brighton and Ocean View from the 19th century.
How to Get There
From central Dunedin, head south on State Highway 1 and take the off-ramp for Westland Street, which takes you to Brighton Road. Follow Brighton Road along the coast for about 20 minutes. Bus line 70 also stops nearby, making the area accessible by public transport.
Just to the west, Brighton Beach offers safe swimming, family picnics, and a more sheltered atmosphere, making it a good complement to Ocean View’s surf. If you continue south on the coastal road, you will reach Taieri Mouth, another small beachside community next to a beautiful beach.
