Grave's Walkway

Grave's Walkway is a beach walk on the outskirts of Oamaru. It starts at the Oamaru Harbour, climbs past the World War 2 gun emplacements along the cliff top, and then goes down to Bushy Beach.

A number of spotted shags breed on the cliffs and can be seen flying by. There are also rock pools. These are worth exploring and observing the creatures which live there.

Sea lions are often sighted lying in the sun. Many penguins, Yellow Eyed and Little Blue, live around the track and you can watch them from the penguin viewing platforms that have been erected for controlled viewing of the penguins as well as conservation reasons.

At the foot of the cliffs is a place called Boatman's Harbour. Unusual volcanic structures, called larval pillows, are able to be seen at low tide. These were created around 40-50 million years ago. The spaces between the pillows are filled with limestone embedded with fossils.

The walkway was named in the memory of W. G. Grave who was a local climber, explorer and solicitor. Many other things have been named after him as a tribute to his great explorations. The track has been closed in the past due to erosion and sea damage. In 1992 it was upgraded with the help of the local Waitaki Rotary Club. Steps and fences were put in to ensure safety.

This track is most suitable for fitter and more agile people, as it is steep, rough and can be quite slippery at times. This walkway provides the community with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor environment and appreciate the natural areas that we have right on the outskirts of town.

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