The township has some classic cribs which were built from an assortment of materials and without permits.
After World War 2 it was regarded as wasteful to use quality materials on a holiday house.
In recent times, more permanent homes have been built for retirees and city commuters.
The community has worked hard on improving the domain and has developed a network of tracks through the foreshore area.
Long Beach (1hr 30min, 7km)
From the car park, cross the fields and take the track north, through the dunes to the beach.
The cliffs to the right and the Pinnacle are important areas for Dunedin rock climbers, offering good quality climbing rock and a variety of climbing for all skill levels. Continue up the beach and explore the caves at the northern end.
Chalk marks on the inside roof of the caves are further evidence of the enthusiastic endeavours of rock climbers.
A feature of the beach is the Sunday morning migration of subdued students staggering south toward the car park.
There has not been a catastrophe. The caves, particularly the massive Ball Room, are popular with students for camping and wild parties.
At low tide it is possible to reach the tiny Cave beach through a rock arch. It is not possible to continue along the coast from here.
However the remains of a ladder by the Cathedral Caves used to be part of a route to Purakaunui, and there are current plans by a subdivider to continue a walkway around Potato Point to Purakaunui.
Walk back down to the southern end of the beach.
It is possible to get some way along the rocky shore at low tide to Pilot Point.
An unmarked legal road goes over the point to Whareakeake beach.
On returning up the beach take the track through the trees to the end of Beach St.
Return to the car park using the former Dunedin Botanic Garden bridge, which was moved in 2000, to cross a drainage ditch.
•This is an extract from Dunedin Tracks and Trails an illustrated guide to Dunedin walks, tramps and mountain bike routes, by Antony Hamel.
It is a descendant of the previous guide, From Sea to Silver Peaks and is available at Dunedin book shops and the visitor centre.
