Sandfly Bay Track
Located in Dunedin area and Otago Peninsula area in the Otago region
Introduction
Walk to Sandfly Bay and combine coastal views with wildlife viewing - kids will love the sand dunes and can earn a Kiwi Guardians medal here too.3 km return via same track
Seasonal restrictions
Part of Sandfly Bay Wildlife Refuge is closed from 1 November to 28 February to protect wildlife in the area. Follow signs to access the beach.
Dog access
Image gallery
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Walking down to Sandfly Bay Image: Samuel Mann | Creative Commons
![Children walking down to Sandfly Bay.]( "Children walking down to Sandfly Bay.")
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Playing in the sand dunes Image: Samuel Mann | Creative Commons
![Children playing in the sand dunes.]( "Children playing in the sand dunes.")
A path crosses farmland to the top of the sand dunes. Go down the sand hill – which can be rather testing on the return, uphill journey – and walk about 1 km along the beach.
Turn off Highcliff Road onto Seal Point Road. The track begins at the Sandfly Bay carpark at the end of this road.
Don't leave valuables in your car – there have been break-ins.
Swimming can be dangerous where there are strong winds and currents.
Sandfly Bay has a significant colony of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. Don't linger on the beach or anywhere else where they may come ashore. If you encounter a penguin on the beach keep well away (50 m) and crouch down. If they feel threatened they will not come ashore.
New Zealand fur seals/kekeno and New Zealand sea lions/rāpoka haul out on the rocks and beach and wallow in the sand. Keep at least 20 m away from sleeping sea lions and if you are in a group don't surround them. Seals and sea lions may look placid but they are powerful, wild predators and can be very dangerous if they are approached too closely.
Other seabirds such as spotted shags, sooty shearwaters and variable oystercatchers are also based in the area.
Contacts
| Dunedin Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 474 3300 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | dunedinvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
50 The Octagon Dunedin |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 5244 Moray Place Dunedin 9058 |
| Full office details | |