Tunnel Beach: Dunedin’s Coastal Gem
Important Note: The track is currently closed due to multiple slips. No date has been set for reopening.
Just 15 minutes southwest of central Dunedin, beyond the suburbs of Corstorphine and Kew, Tunnel Beach is a short walk to one of the most dramatic coastal scenes in Aotearoa. Sheer sandstone cliffs surround a cove with a beach. In addition, there is a huge natural arch, a hand-carved Victorian tunnel that leads to the cove, and the roar of the Southern Ocean. These all combine to create a stunning spot with both scenic appeal and an interesting history.
Whether you’re chasing coastal views, looking for a moody photo location, or curious about the legacy of Dunedin’s early settlers, this coast offers an adventure just beyond the city fringe.
Cliffs, Arches and Ocean Energy
Soft layers of Caversham sandstone have eroded over millennia, creating an arch, the cove, dramatic overhangs and a sea cave. The beach is tucked beneath towering sandstone cliffs. When it rains, there is the bonus of waterfalls tumbling from the top of the cliff to the beach.
The cliffs face south into the Pacific, fully exposed to the swell and storms of the Southern Ocean. At high tide, the shore is rocky, with the beach and the sea cave exposed as the tide recedes. Swimming is not recommended! On calm days, the glassy green water and surf wash on the beach reflect the cliffs. The cliffs are a mix of gold and cream colours, and there is a chance you will spot a seal as well.
Walking the Track and the Tunnel
The walk begins from a small car park on Blackhead Road, where a steep trail descends across private farmland. The track is approximately 600 metres and takes around 20 minutes each way. As you descend, sweeping views open out across the cliffs and the large natural arch, which is on the right side of a small point, with the cove out of sight to the left.
At the end of the track, a narrow stone tunnel, hand-dug in the 1870s, cuts through the cliff to provide access to the beach. Slippery in Winter and dim even on sunny days, the tunnel descends via steep steps. In the 1870s, the then land owner and one of the founders of Dunedun, John Cargill, constructed the tunnel so his family could access the beach for bathing and picnics.
You can also wander around the edge of the cliffs. Take care: there is absolutely no protection if you slip, and it's a 20-metre to 40-metre drop.
How to Get There
From central Dunedin, take South Road to Playfair Street, which becomes Corstorphine Road. Turn right when this road terminates at Middleton Road and head west onto Blackhead Road. Continue on Blackhead Road to Tunnel Beach Road. The drive will take around 10 minutes outside rush hour. There is a reasonable amount of parking, but the walk attracts around 150,000 people per year, and it gets very busy in Summer and public holidays, so try to avoid these times, or arrive early or later in the day.
Other coastal points of interest around Dunedin include Ocean View, Brighton, St Clair and St Kilda, and Otago Peninsula. More caves, arches and big cliffs can be found at Aramoana and Doctors Point.
