Discover Tomahawk Beach on the Otago Peninsula
Tomahawk Beach, a stunning white-sand surf beach, is the first beach you'll encounter on the Otago Peninsula, located on the outskirts of Dunedin. Separated from the more famous St Kilda Beach by Lawyers Head, Tomahawk Beach offers a sense of seclusion. This makes it an appealing destination for a quieter beach experience.
Exploring Tomahawk Beach
Access to the beach is a short walk through the dunes, or around the stream fed by Tomahawk Lagoon, from the car park on Tomahawk Road to the west end. Stretching approximately 1.5 km, the beach invites you to stroll eastward to Smaills Beach, which is equally picturesque, especially at low tide. Keep an eye out for sea lions that may be lounging on the sand.
For a panoramic view of Tomahawk Beach, drive up John Wilson Ocean Drive to the top of Lawyers Head. From the cliff edge, the views are superb. You can walk along the cliff edge beside the golf course to reach the beach.
The Origin of the Name
The name "Tomahawk" is intriguing and unrelated to throwing axes or tomahawks. It is believed to be a 1850s transliteration of the Māori phrase “toma haka,” which roughly translates to “to dance beside the gravesite.” However, this is just one possible explanation for the name.
How to Get There
To reach Tomahawk Beach from central Dunedin, head towards Anderson Bay and then take Tomahawk Road for 1.6 km until you reach the beach car park, located just before the small town of Ocean Grove.
Continuing along Tomahawk Road will also lead you to Centre Road, which connects to the scenic Highcliff Road on the Otago Peninsula ridgeline. From there, you can access Larnach Castle, Sandfly Bay, Sandymount and Portobello.
