Allans Beach Walking Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

It's only a 5-minute walk through dunes to this superb white sandy beach, filled with amazing wildlife that call this area home.

This DOC directory entry covers Allans Beach Walking Track in Otago, within Dunedin area / Otago Peninsula area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 500 m return via same track
• Walking time: 10 min
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

From the carpark, climb over a stile and walk briefly through private farmland before reaching another stile. From here, a short path leads through the sand dunes and gently opens out onto the beach.

To the right, a wide sandy expanse reaches towards the Hoopers Inlet mouth, the perfect spot to walk on a sunny day, or go exploring.

To the left, rugged coastal habitat sits close to the track entrance and stretches around to the towering cliffs which surround Mt Charles/Poatiri.

The entire beach is frequently dotted with New Zealand sea lions/pakake, New Zealand fur seals/kekeno, a variety of sea birds and even the odd penguin.

Combined with the stunning backdrop this makes it a great spot to visit for nature/wildlife photography, or even just for a day of naturing.

Getting there

From Dunedin the two main routes to Portobello are either Portobello Road or Highcliff Road.

From Portobello turn onto Allans Beach Road. The carpark is at the end of the road.

Be aware that from where it reaches Hoopers inlet, Allans Beach Road is gravelled and at points requires care when passing vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

New Zealand sea lions/pakake use Hoopers Inlet to nurture their young and may often be found on the roads in the area. Reduce speed, keep an eye out and give them plenty of space when driving in the area.

The distance from the city is approximately 25 km, for either route.

Know before you go

To protect wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the eastern end of the beach, but are allowed on a leash at the western end.

Swimming can be dangerous where there are strong winds and currents.

The nearest toilets are in Portobello.

Tsunami risk

This track is susceptible to tsunami. If a siren sounds or a tsunami alert is received move to higher ground and stay away from the coast until the risk or alert period is over.

Dunedin Wildlife Care Code

Dunedin is home to rare and special wildlife. Do not disturb, touch, feed or go too close to wildlife. Keep dogs under control as they can harm wildlife.

Sea lions and other seals

View all seal and sea lions from a safe distance of at least 20 m and do not disturb them. If you must pass sea lions on the beach, keep as much distance as possible and do not loiter.

Penguins

Stay at least 50 m away from penguins. Never approach them. Do not block their entry and exit from the water as this prevents them from returning to feed chicks. Do not use flash photography.

Red-billed gulls

Do not feed or harass gulls. Don’t let dogs chase them. They are endangered and vulnerable to human disturbance.

Drones and wildlife

It is an offence to fly drones within 150 m of marine mammals or 300 m vertically above. The use of drones is prohibited in many sensitive areas and can require a permit elsewhere.

Find more information on recreational drone use on conservation land.

Nature and conservation

New Zealand fur seals/kekeno and New Zealand sea lions/pakake haul themselves out on the rocks and beach and wallow in the sand.

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, penguins and variable oystercatchers are also based in the area.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.