Last updated November 2026
Before 1929, the only highway to Sandy Point was the estuary. Today a ten-minute drive from Invercargill over Dunns Road leads to Sandy Point Domain, a recreation reserve of more than 2,000 hectares on a sand and shingle peninsula about 7 km west of the city.
The Oreti River runs along one side and Foveaux Strait the other, and between them lie beach, river, estuary and forest, including one of the few native forest areas left within Invercargill’s urban environment.
Invercargill City Council manages the domain, which has 13.5 km of walking tracks, two playgrounds and more than 30 clubs and groups that lease land or use it. Most of it is a designated dog exercise area.
Practical Information
- Location
- Sandy Point Road, reached from Dunns Road through Otatara; Pit Road gives access to some areas
- Distance from the city
- About 7 km west of Invercargill
- Size
- Over 2,000 hectares (Invercargill City Council)
- Managed by
- Invercargill City Council
- Walking tracks
- 13.5 km network, including the Daffodil Bay Loop, Kilmock Bush Walkway and Silver Lagoon Loop
- Dogs
- Designated dog exercise area; off lead except around playgrounds and on formed walking tracks (on lead); no dogs around the wildlife ponds and lagoons
- Facilities
- Playgrounds at Fosbender Park (310 Dunns Road) and the Water Ski Area (9 Daffodil Bay Road)
- Status
- Invercargill City Council: Sandy Point Domain page
About Sandy Point Domain
All that space leaves room for very different uses. The council describes the domain as a place for picnics, play, walking and running, and as an outdoor classroom.
Sandy Point Road is the main road in. It is sealed as far as the Daffodil Bay Road turnoff, and most areas can be reached from it, with Pit Road as another way into some parts. Boats can come in from the New River Estuary, the Oreti River or Foveaux Strait.
A wide range of groups share the domain. The council lists 22 recreational leases, from rowing, scouts and surf lifesaving to kart, pistol, archery and astronomy clubs, plus a dozen other regular users such as harriers, orienteers, disc golfers and the Southland Mountain Bike Club.
History of Sandy Point
Long before Invercargill, the area supported an important Māori settlement, the kāinga Oue, which drew on the natural resources around it. Sealers and whalers brought change, though the whaling station they set up in 1836 did not last long.
Sandy Point’s first European settler, Owen McShane, distilled rum from the roots of tī kōuka, the cabbage tree that Māori valued for food and clothing. Whalers turned to farming, but by the 1880s overgrazing, fire and rabbits had caused serious erosion.
Forestry took over from farming, and dune planting eventually held the shifting sand in place. The Dunns Road bridge opened on 20 November 1929, ending the estuary’s role as the only route in.
Tracks, Playgrounds and Dogs
Walking tracks
The council looks after 13.5 km of well-formed walking tracks across the domain, among them the Daffodil Bay Loop, the Kilmock Bush Walkway and the Silver Lagoon Loop. The council points walkers to Plan My Walk to find tracks in the domain. The domain also has mountain bike trails.
Playgrounds
There are two playgrounds. Fosbender Park, at 310 Dunns Road, has a swing, climbing frame, tyre swing and seesaw. The Water Ski Area playground at 9 Daffodil Bay Road has more equipment: two swing sets, a play module, balance beam, flying fox, seesaw and roundabout.
Dogs
Sandy Point Domain is a designated dog exercise area. Dogs can run off lead, but must be on a lead on formed walking tracks and kept away from the playgrounds; the council’s dog policy for reserves also leaves out marked sports fields, and dogs are not allowed in the areas around the ponds and lagoons set aside as wildlife habitat. The policy asks owners to carry a leash at all times and remove anything their dog leaves behind.
Where to Learn More
Invercargill City Council: Sandy Point Domain: history, access, walking tracks, playgrounds, dog rules, clubs and the mountain bike trails map.
Invercargill City Council: Dog Control Policy for Council Reserves: where dogs can be exercised in Sandy Point Domain and the rules that apply.
Invercargill City Council: Walking tracks: the council’s walking tracks and a link to the Plan My Walk track finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sandy Point Domain?
On a sand and shingle peninsula about 7 km west of Invercargill, between the Oreti River and Foveaux Strait. Follow Dunns Road from Otatara to Sandy Point Road.
How big is Sandy Point Domain?
More than 2,000 hectares of beach, river, estuary and forest.
How many walking tracks are there?
The council looks after a 13.5 km network, including the Daffodil Bay Loop, Kilmock Bush Walkway and Silver Lagoon Loop.
Can I take my dog?
Yes. It is a designated dog exercise area. Dogs can be off lead except around playgrounds and on formed walking tracks, where they must be on a lead.
Are there playgrounds?
Yes, at Fosbender Park (310 Dunns Road) and the Water Ski Area (9 Daffodil Bay Road).
What is the history of Sandy Point?
It was the site of the Māori kāinga Oue, then a short-lived whaling station from 1836. Farming caused erosion by the 1880s, and forestry and dune planting later stabilised the sand.
How long does it take to get there?
The council says it is about a ten-minute drive from Invercargill.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.