Tunnel Beach is one of Dunedin's most atmospheric spots — a wild cove at the base of dramatic sandstone cliffs, reached by a 30-minute walk across farmland and then through a hand-cut stone tunnel. The tunnel was cut by a wealthy 19th-century family who owned the cliff-top land and wanted private beach access. It is barely wide enough for two people abreast and lit only by daylight from either end.
The beach itself is small and usually empty, with strange rock formations, sea stacks, and the kind of dramatic coastal scenery that Otago does particularly well. Swimming is dangerous — the currents are strong and the surf unpredictable — but the walk and the views are the main attraction. Located about 8 kilometres south of the city centre; a car is the easiest way to get there. The trail closes after heavy rain when the path becomes slippery.