Highcliff Track

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Reviews

1. M. Lang ★★★★☆

   This is part of a long track to Boulder Beach. You will need at least 2 hours each way to get to the beach. It is quite challenging after the view point. The track is well established up to the view point, then goes through grass path down the hill, on the edge of the cliff. Google maps does not show the track, you can see on a different app, we saw on the Suunto app. I do not recommend to take kids after the view point. The views are spectacular!!

   1 year ago
2. John E ★★★★★

   We only went to the lookout point today, because the beach is closed until March to protect the wildlife. A really nice walk in the late afternoon, and not like the other walks around Dunedin - the path through the trees and along farmland feels unique, and the views are easily worth the short walk. If you haven't visited it's a great one to see!

   almost 3 years ago
3. Clare Sim ★★☆☆☆

   I don’t recommend going on this track beyond the lookout point. Unless you’re very sure-footed on rough and steep terrain with no proper path, and have no fear of heights. I tend not to shy away from cliff edges, and I’ve a low centre of gravity which helps me to feel stable on edges but I did not enjoy this walk. Like another reviewer pointed out, this is hardly a track but more like a vague wading amongst waist-high grass. There is no clear path, you have to look ahead and make out where people have walked before from figuring out where the grass has flattened. The ‘track’ is barely 15-20cm wide, and because you’re stepping on overgrown grass and weeds, the footing is never firm. The cliff also drops off next to the path, it’s a stunning view but not a great experience. I’ve some photos if anyone wants to see what I’m talking about. I got in about 1km of the messy track and decided to turn back, because the track dips down the cliff sharply and without a clear path, the cons outweighed the pros for proceeding. Unlike other DOC tracks that are marked with the iconic orange poles telling you where to go, on this track you cannot see the next pole from the one you’re at. So there’s even less certainty in the correct path to take. Still, enjoy the stunning view of boulder beach from the viewing point where the bench is. I could’ve sat there for hours.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Clare Anastasia ★★☆☆☆

   I don’t recommend going on this track beyond the lookout point. Unless you’re very sure-footed on rough and steep terrain with no proper path, and have no fear of heights. I tend not to shy away from cliff edges, and I’ve a low centre of gravity which helps me to feel stable on edges but I did not enjoy this walk. Like another reviewer pointed out, this is hardly a track but more like a vague wading amongst waist-high grass. There is no clear path, you have to look ahead and make out where people have walked before from figuring out where the grass has flattened. The ‘track’ is barely 15-20cm wide, and because you’re stepping on overgrown grass and weeds, the footing is never firm. The cliff also drops off next to the path, it’s a stunning view but not a great experience. I’ve some photos if anyone wants to see what I’m talking about. I got in about 1km of the messy track and decided to turn back, because the track dips down the cliff sharply and without a clear path, the cons outweighed the pros for proceeding. Unlike other DOC tracks that are marked with the iconic orange poles telling you where to go, on this track you cannot see the next pole from the one you’re at. So there’s even less certainty in the correct path to take. Still, enjoy the stunning view of boulder beach from the viewing point where the bench is. I could’ve sat there for hours.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Helen Thornley ★★★★★

   I originally intended to walk the harbour cone track but when I got there I found that the track is closed until 1 November for lambing, so decided to walk the paradise /buskin /highcliff track instead and I'm sooooo glad because it's a fantastic track! Beautiful scenery out over the water, and no sounds apart from birds and sheep. Quite steep in spots so is sufficiently challenging for those who are quite fit. I walked the whole length including the off tracks (paradise and buskin) and it was 16km. The doc website says it's a loop track but in order to make it a loop you have to walk some way along highcliff road which I'm not interested in so I did it as an out and back trip

   almost 4 years ago
3. E. W. ★★★★★

   Nice views, excellent workout. Make sure you bring loads of water!

   more 6 years ago

1. Jack Wynne ★★★☆☆

   Very steep "track" in waist high grass. Some sloppy areas you can't avoid. Has beautiful views.

   more 7 years ago

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