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Our very first stop in New Zealand that wasn’t our hotel was Tomahawk Beach in Dunedin.  We got all checked in before heading to the beach for our first taste of New Zealand.  On our way to the beach, we stopped to see some Gum trees with Lupines underneath.  I also remember seeing trees that looked like they were permanently blowing in the wind, which was pretty cool.  You can book the hotel we stayed at here (it was super nice.)

We didn’t spend too much time at the beach since it was already evening, but we were able to wander along the shore through the sand and even got to see a sea lion relaxing in the sun.  It may not have been the sunniest day or the most tropical beach, but I loved it.  It’s more rugged and cliff-y with dunes to climb for stellar views.

There are a few paths you can follow through the dunes to different viewpoints, but I don’t think any of them are official, really.  I would make sure you have time to enjoy the beach itself and the views from above.  And if you see any sea lions or other wildlife, make sure you don’t get too close.

Where is Tomahawk Beach in Dunedin

Tomahawk Beach is just a short drive from Dunedin on the coast of the Otago region.  It’s near Tomahawk Lagoon and the Edgeley Bed and Breakfast, which a cute lodging option.

How To Get to Tomahawk from Dunedin

What to bring to Tomahawk Beach

Snacks – You can just grab some of these from the store before you go.

Water bottle – This is a must if oyu’re going to be out on the beach and in the sun all day.  A Hydro Flask will keep your water ice cold all day long.

Sunscreen – If you plan on being outside, you’ll want sunscreen.  I like the Neutrogena a lot, but if you’ll be visiting a beach soon, you’ll want a reef-safe sunscreen.

Hat – You’ll want some kind of hat to keep the sun out of your eyes.  A baseball hat should be fine but a bucket hat or sun hat could help keep the sun off your neck.

Sunglasses – This is a must even if you think it won’t be sunny.  You never know.  Sunglasses are best paired with a hat on those really bright days.

Light Jacket – Because you just never know.  Weather can change quickly and it could be windy.  I usually use my rain jacket for this.

If you’ve got a trip to Dunedin planned, I would definitely try and make a stop at Tomahawk Beach even if it’s just on your way in or out of town.  We were there in January and only saw a couple other people there.  It wasn’t the warmest day, so it could be different on a really nice day, but I would still recommend a visit.

What is your favorite beach in Dunedin?  What about all of New Zealand?