Timeline
06:28
Walk down to Tunnel Beach to claim a good vantage point on the sandstone boulders before the sun breaks the horizon. The beach is sheltered by cliffs, offering a dramatic backdrop as the light changes.
07:13
Watch the sunrise. On 15 April, the sun rises at 07:13. The golden light begins shortly after at 17:21, but for the actual sunrise moment, you are looking WNW.
07:43
Head up to Kūkū Coffee Ōtepoti near Kew Park Playground. This is a coffee roaster where you can grab a hot drink to warm up after the morning chill. It is about a 7-minute walk from the playground area.
07:58
Return to the beach area or linger at the park. The cliffs are filled with fossils and graffiti, providing interesting details to observe in the morning light. Note that the beach is closed for lambing from 1 August to 31 October, so if visiting outside this window, access is permitted.
Local tip
The beach is closed for lambing from 1 August to 31 October. Check the route if you need specific directions to the entrance.
Check before you go
- Tunnel Beach is closed for lambing between 1 August and 31 October.
- Kūkū Coffee Ōtepoti is open Mo-Fr 07:00-14:00. Ensure you arrive before 14:00 on weekdays.
Worth knowing
- Kūkū Coffee Ōtepoti is open at 07:43 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Dunedin (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).