Sandy Point Domain
Walking tracks
A 13.5 km network of well-formed walking tracks makes it easy to explore Sandy Point on foot.
Tracks include the Daffodil Bay Loop, Kilmock Bush Walkway and the Silver Lagoon Loop.
Visit Plan My Walk to find a walking track in the Sandy Point Domain.
Playgrounds
Sandy Point – Fosbender Park
Location
310 Dunns Road
Equipment
- Swing
- Climbing frame
- Tyre swing
- Seesaw
Sandy Point – Water Ski Area
Location
9 Daffodil Bay Road
Equipment
- Two swing sets
- Play module
- Balance beam
- Flying fox
- Seesaw
- Roundabout
Clubs and organisations
The following groups utilise Sandy Point:
Recreational Leases
- Georgetown Scouts
- Invercargill Kart Club
- Invercargill Pistol Club
- Invercargill Rowing Club
- Jellicoe Sea Scouts
- Oreti Surf Lifesaving Club
- Rakiura Rides
- Rugby Southland Incorporated
- Southern Paintball Club
- Southland Airsoft Club
- Southland Archery Club
- Southland Astronomical Society
- Southland Clay Target Club
- Southland Landrover Club
- Southland Motorcycle Club
- Southland Pony Club
- Southland Power Boat Club
- Southland Rodeo Association
- Southland Sports Car Club
- Southland Stock-Car Drivers Association Inc
- Waihopai Rowing Club
- Water Ski and Runabout Club
Other recreational users
- Birchwood Hunt Club
- Invercargill Harriers
- Southland Disc Golf
- Southland District Rugby League
- Southland Football Association
- Southland German Shepherd Dog Club
- Southland Mountain Bike Club – mountain biking
- Southland Orienteering Club
- Southland Sled Dog Association
- Southland Triathlon and Multisport Club
- Southland Harriers
- St Pauls Harriers and Athletics Club
Access
Follow Dunns Road from Otatara to reach Sandy Point Road, the main road into the reserve.
Most areas of the reserve can be accessed from Sandy Point Road, which is sealed until the Daffodil Bay Road turnoff.
Alternative access to some areas is available via Pit Road.
Boat access is possible from the New River Estuary, Oreti River or Foveaux Strait.
Dogs
Sandy Point Domain is a designated dog exercise area. You may exercise your dog off-lead, except around playgrounds and on formed walking tracks.
History
Dunns Road bridge opening, 20 November 1929. Image: Campbell Studios Collection, Southland Museum and Art Gallery
Long before the site of Invercargill was developed, the rich natural resources of Sandy Point supported an important Māori settlement/kainga called Oue. The arrival of sealers and whalers brought change, although the whaling station established there in 1836 was short-lived.
Owen McShane was Sandy Point’s first European settler. While Maori valued the once abundant groves of cabbage tree/tī kōuka for food and clothing, McShane became notorious for the rum he distilled from its roots. Whalers became farmers. By the 1880s, over-grazing, fire and the liberation of rabbits had created serious erosion problems. Forestry replaced farming and dune planting programmes eventually stabilised the shifting sand.
Until 1929, the estuary was Sandy Point’s only highway. Today, Sandy Point is a ten-minute drive from Invercargill – an outstanding natural playground boasting over 2000 hectares of beach, river, estuary and forest. It is managed as a recreation reserve by the Invercargill City Council and is home to many sporting and recreational clubs, organisations and other public users.
Sandy Point Rd, Oreti Beach, Invercargill 9879, New Zealand