Timeline
05:03
Drive the 11-km unsealed road through rimu rainforest to the camping area near the beach entrance.
05:48
Walk past the rusted historic gold dredge and onto the black sand and quartz pebble beach to find a quiet spot facing west.
06:18
Watch the sun rise over the Tasman Sea. The light breaks at 06:18, turning the dark water and stones gold.
07:03
Walk back up the beach or through the rainforest to the start of the road. Check the route for transport if you need to return to town.
Local tip
The road is unsealed and twisting. Drive slowly and watch for wildlife. No food or drink shops are listed at this location, so bring your own breakfast or coffee to enjoy after the sunrise, or check the route to find a café in town once the sun is up.
Check before you go
- The road to Gillespies Beach is unsealed and can be rough. Ensure your vehicle is suitable.
- Check tide times if you plan to walk further up the beach towards the seal colony on Galway Beach, as it is a long three-hour round trip.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Fox Glacier (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).