Tunnel Beach

Slept soundly and woke with energy and purpose.  Breakfast then headed off to find Tunnel Beach, just a short 10 minute drive from the campground.  Easy-peasy!  As I set off to walk down the track to the beach I found myself passing people - plenty of people - and the one thing they all had in common?  Hardly a breath of air left in their lungs to say 'Good morning' with.  And I very quickly found out why.......

The descent to the beach took maybe 10 minutes - 15 for me as I always stop for views and just to look.  It requires good footwear, pain-free knees and strong quads.  Don't remember reading that in the brochures!  And with each person I passed coming up, it became crystal clear that the "hour walk" to the beach was basically 10 minutes down and 50 puffing minutes back up!

The beach itself was nice, though not really a swimming beach (see extras)......much like many other New Zealand beaches, except for one small detail that helps to explain its unusual name.  In the 1870's, local politician John Cargill had a tunnel commissioned in order that his family could access the otherwise inaccessible beach.  The tunnel begins from the flat cliff-top, and descends 72 steps to the beach.  It was hand hewn through the sandstone rock, an impressive feat indeed.  The walk back up the track from the tunnel entrance ascends about 150 metres over its 1200m length which helps to explain why some sections of it left most walkers - me included - in serious need of a rest afterwards!

Quick catch-up with K at her place afterwards, which was lovely, then on the road again.  Stopping spot this evening, Moeraki, an old favourite.