I could never settle in a city with harsh winters. But a friend of mine just has. She’s moved to Dunedin but now that we’re based here for a few days, it’s easy to see why she would choose to settle here, despite the cold winters. The southerly that welcomed us on our arrival has moved on and what a difference a day makes. This was our walk this morning along the beautiful misty St Clair Beach and all is calm.
…and many locals were out enjoying their famous landmark. Michael checked out the salt water pools for his morning swim. It’s a good facility with a café attached. If you look hard, you can see it right at the end here.
There are not many places in New Zealand that have both a beautiful beach coastline and a dramatic steep cliff coastline. Dunedin does! The views along the Tunnel Beach Walking Track remind me of the Great Ocean Road journey in Australia. The Tunnel Beach Walking Track is accessed from the St Clair suburb and reveals the most fantastic sculptured limestone cliffs.
Can I please emphasise yet again, that sturdy walking shoes with a good tread is essential. Ballet flats will not cope with loose gravel, nor will bare feet! This track is very steep and a good level of fitness is required, especially on the way back up. Seriously, I saw one determined soul struggling back with her baby in a pushchair! The track is in very good condition and quite wide to accommodate the many visitors here.
You’ll find yourself being absolutely mesmerised by the view ahead so you won’t immediately note that the pathway is getting steeper. Yes, I’ve fallen behind and there’s Michael, now a tiny little figure in the distance.
Try to make it down to the very right of that piece of rock jutting out. It’s so worth it if you can make it. It will overload your senses. There is no barrier fence here folk, so be extremely careful about getting your loved ones to step back for a photo.
See what I mean…?
For time-strapped travellers, this hour-long walk is perfect, not only to get the heart rate up, but to record a beautiful part of Dunedin, a city with many charms, one of which is connected to chocolate. More on that later.
Happy Travelling!
