Post COVID lockdown I thought to myself I could do with an adventure, also noted I’ve typed COVID with my middle fingers which I’m sure paints a good and fair representation of how most readers view this. Coming to grips with this new freedom that New Zealand had well deserved, well in the sense - for most of the time we are not in lockdown at least. The new reality is hitting us that in New Zealand we are in a much more confined fishbowl - called New Zealand. Why not explore it... some more.
So, with my work forcing us to take leave, as a COVID cost-related business measure, plus Airpoints that were waiting to be used. I assessed my options for a long weekend hiatus out of Auckland. New Zealand has a lot to offer I thought to myself, but something intrigued me about Dunedin that had to be explored. Predominantly from two good friends permanently now living down there - who’d only expressed good things.
With that, I packed my bags, hopped on the plane to Dunedin. After getting acquainted with Dunedin, somewhat acclimatising to its icy temperatures, enjoying a nice dinner, and leisurely drinks the night before - we awoke to crisp fresh air, coffee, ready to go to Allans Beach. Not sure what to expect but the journey from the central Dunedin region traces around a beautifully scenic harbor that made for a nice drive. Passing comments by Dunedin locals of how the black ice catches a lot of people this time of year was duly noted - as we finished the wrap around to get a snack in Portobello - we came up to the sign Allans Beach Road.
As someone that feels relatively acquainted with New Zealand, there was something strangely unique, feelings of being on a raw coast off Ireland or somewhere far, far from Auckland had come along strongly when we traced around Hoopers Inlet. It was truly magnificent scenes, pure raw landscape with no housing blocks, developments just nature for what it is. We came to a slow stop on the stone-covered road to greet a couple of locals before proceeding. A family of sea lions were basking in the sun rays and shallow waters, genuinely quite the sight - the closest thing to what one may refer to as a safari - seeing these creatures at one with the people of the area was a refreshing encounter with nature, with no interest in us they continued to frolic around, splash and simply just enjoying the day and the environment they were in.
Pulling up to the main car park, hopping out you could not help but notice an even crisper freshness in the air that was like no other - appropriately dressed I felt ready for the nice walk that awaited. Climbing up the banks to the first viewing point of Allans Beach was a view that is not to be taken for granted. Composed of raw coastlines, sand that one way merged into an unforgiving sea and the other into husky ammophila grass all surrounded by dense highlands solidified by boulders, somewhat patched together by grass - that was a pure sight. It's a place that you could not help be present in - the mind travels great distances in locations like this, priorities of importance in life are remembered providing a refreshing perspective. Whether you surf, simply enjoying getting out of the city trekking - Allans Beach is one of Dunedin's hidden gems, not to be missed, but to remain unexploited.
