A popular coastal Dunedin walk reopens this week in time for summer, following extensive repairs.
The iconic Tunnel Beach walk reopens on Friday 14 November, having been closed since October 2024, after a heavy weather event caused multiple large slips which covered the track and made several sections unstable.
Department of Conservation Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies says the first phase of repair work has focussed on ensuring the track is safe and accessible once more.
"Tunnel Beach is one of Dunedin's best short walks providing access to spectacular coastal views within a short drive of the city centre.
"We're pleased to have it safely reopened in time for summer, giving people another incredible place to go naturing along Dunedin's epic coastline."
The repair work is being completed in two phases. The first, which is now complete, focussed on removing large amount of slip material, stabilising slip areas above the track, clearing drains and improving the drainage and water management on the track. A mammoth resurfacing of the track was also completed, which involved more than 140 tonnes of gravel being spread and compacted.
The second phase will focus on further infrastructure improvements to manage water on the track as well as installing furniture and interpretation signs.
Along with having the track reopened, one of the most encouraging aspects of the repair work is seeing fragile coastal vegetation on the headland beginning to regenerate, says Gabe.
"This headland is cloaked in coastal turf – a community of low-growing plants that has evolved to survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. This micro-sized habitat also supports a variety of invertebrates including beetles and species of moth that have evolved to jump because it's too windy to fly.
"Prior to the track's closure, repeated trampling by walkers going off-track was damaging this vulnerable ecosystem. The closure gave the turf and plants a great chance to revive; now the track is open again we're encouraging people to keep to the paths and admire nature from behind the barriers."
The Dunedin City Council supported the track repair work by managing carpark and road access.
DCC Group Manager Parks and Recreation Heath Ellis says: "We are delighted this popular Dunedin walking track will reopen in time for the busy summer visitor season. Many thanks to the Department of Conservation staff for all their work."
The Green Hut Track group, a volunteer community group, also assisted by delivering 160 hours of work on other DOC tracks around the district, enabling the DOC team to focus on Tunnel Beach.
Gabe says having the support of the community and partner organisations has been integral in getting the track open once more.
"It's been a team effort."
DOC and DCC run a joint summer ranger programme to help provide education and information to visitors at key visitor sites around Dunedin. They will be on site at Tunnel Beach regularly to provide visitor information and education.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
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