2 Scroggs Hill Road, Brighton, Brighton, Dunedin City

Brighton Beach

Dunedin's version of 'Brighton' has more in common with New Brighton in Christchurch than it's namesake in Britain.

For a start, it is directly facing the Pacific Ocean, and experiences all the weather that situation brings, but it also has a groovy arty vibe and a couple of galleries to peruse. The settlement is small, sited on the mouth of the Otokia Creek, and forms a set with Ocean View, Westwood and Waldronville, the biggest attraction between them being Beachlands Speedway.

Poet James K Baxter is reported to have spent his early years here, and earlier still, James Cook visited, in 1769. More recently famed Otago Sportsman Jeff Wilson and his equally famous wife Adine lived here.

In the tiny township, there is a track to wander along the creek, the beach itself which is sometimes fit for swimming, a general store, campground, a coffee shop, and surf lifesaving club. The purple building framed with the aqua fence at the south end of town is the South Seas Gallery, where Lindsay Crooks, Janet Weir and others exhibit, and there is always hot coffee for sale. Visitors interested in wildlife art might like to check in at Karen Baddocks Bluegum gallery, which also has a BnB.

For surfers, there is, just to the north of the little beach, around 'Big Rock', a right point break which is also good for bodyboarding. Wear your heavy suit, expect an icecream headache, and look out for the rocks.Island Park Golf Club is very reasonable for a casual visit, and hosts a big Anzac day event. The club even boasts of a 'microclimate.'

Image Credits: The Bathing Beach, Brighton, New Zealand, 1905, Dunedin, by Muir & Moodie studio, Te Papa. Brighton, Dunedin, 1900-1903, Dunedin, by Muir & Moodie studio. and James Dignan, Grutness.

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  • Surfing
  • Swimming

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