Tunnel Beach

Tunnel Beach is a locality 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) southwest of the city centre of Dunedin, New Zealand. Located just south of St Clair, Tunnel Beach has sea-carved sandstone cliffs, rock arches and caves.[1] The beach's claim to fame is the man-made tunnel dug by local politician John Cargill, son of Captain William Cargill, who had commissioned for his family in the 1870s.[2] Urban legend states that one or more of Cargill's daughters drowned while swimming at the beach, but there is no truth to this story.[3]

The tunnel itself is rough-hewn, and still shows the marks of the hand working which created it. Originally a simple slope, concrete steps were added when it was opened to the public in 1983.

Access to the beach is via the DOC Reserve, and is open year-round, excluding a flood in October 2024 which forced the beach to close until November 2025.[4] The track is a popular walking excursion. It descends from 150 metres (490 ft) above sea level at its start, a short distance off Blackhead Road, winding for some 1200 metres to the top of the tunnel close to a natural sea arch. The tunnel descends 72 steps to the beach, and is dimly naturally lit.[5] Note that the path down is steep and can be very slippery following wet weather.

Safety

Swimming is not recommended at Tunnel Beach due to a rip that makes it dangerous.[6][7] People have had to be rescued after getting into trouble on the track and in the water.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ Dunedin New Zealand, Tunnel Beach New Zealand Tourism Guide
  2. ^ Tunnel Beach (from the New Zealand Department of Conservation website. Retrieved 2007-10-09.)
  3. ^ Isaacs, C. "Tall tales told in (graphic) novel form," Otago Daily Times, 9 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  4. ^ https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/tunnel-beach-walk-reopened-for-summer/
  5. ^ Hamel, A. (2007) Dunedin tracks and trails. Dunedin: Silver Peaks Press. ISBN 978-0-473-13772-4. p. 3.05
  6. ^ Wade, Pamela (2019-09-27). "World Famous in New Zealand: Dunedin's Tunnel Beach". Stuff. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  7. ^ "Tunnel Beach Track". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  8. ^ Lewis, John (2018-11-01). "Precarious cliff rescue at Tunnel Beach". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  9. ^ Francis, Oscar (2022-05-16). "Swimmer gets into trouble at Tunnel Beach". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2022-05-23.

45°55′16″S 170°27′31″E / 45.921229°S 170.458556°E / -45.921229; 170.458556

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