This walk descends from Highcliff Road to the little settlement of Boulder Beach via one track and ascends back to the road on another. The two tracks are on 'paper roads' (ie, unformed) and lined in parts with the stone walls for which the Otago Peninsula is famous. The views from the tracks are stunning and on Boulder Beach you may see penguins at dusk. Note - Boulder Beach may be closed to protect the penguins. The walk is still worthwhile without the trip to the beach.

The walk starts on Highcliff Road at the brown sign marking the Paradise Track. Follow the signs down the gravel track from the road. Almost immediately, the track bends round to the right to an house. Don't follow it, but continue straight ahead down the hill. Paradise Track is vehicle width between stone walls and relatively easy going downhill. Many tracks around the Peninsula are bordered by giant macrocarpas designed as shelter-belts. As you descend around the first bend to the left and right, note the collection of macrocarpas on the right that have been uprooted by strong winds!

Continue down the track to the bottom of the hill. On the left is a deep valley with grassy paddocks with the occasional copse nestled in the sheltered places. You will pass through two gates on the way. Make sure you leave them as you found them - they are usually shut. The views over Boulder Beach and Sandymount improve as you descend. On the right of the track close to the bottom are the ruins of a brick building that may have been part of a farm at one time. Brick buildings are unusual on the Otago Peninsula.

At the T-junction at the bottom of the hill, turn left and follow the track round the corner to a stile over the fence on the right onto the Department of Conservation reserve. As the sign says, no dogs should be taken beyond this point because penguins and seals are found in the reserve. In the summer of 2006-2007 the beach may be closed to protect the penguins. If it is open, follow the distinct track through the dunes to arrive on the beach.

Boulder Beach is named for the intriguing large boulders stacked in front of the dunes. Only the top of the beach is bouldery. At low tide a strip of sand is found between the boulders and the sea and the eastern end of the beach is also sand. The boulders originate from the cliffs at the western end of the beach. They fall from the steep cliffs into the sea. Turn right along the beach. As you walk towards the cliffs you will notice that the boulders get bigger - the smaller boulders at the point you entered the beach have been gradually rounded off and broken up as the surf has transported them along the beach from the cliffs. Halfway along the beach you may see a stream bubbling out of the boulders - particularly in winter. It creates amazing waves in the sand as it rushes to the sea.

Keep an eye out for penguins as you walk through the dunes and along the beach. There are several gaps in the dunes where the penguins ascend to their burrows in the evening. However, they're not usually there during the day. Seals are also occasionally found on the beach and you may spot oyster-catchers and other birds.

To continue the walk return to the stile and turn left to the start of Buskin Track. You will eventually end up at a crib (shack) - Inglis Hut - it can be booked through the Visitor Centre (iSite) in Dunedin. From Inglis Hut pass through the gate with the ingenious weighted closing mechanism and follow the tall posts with yellow tops on the steep track that winds up the paddocks. You will pass a small workman's hut (on the left) before climbing a stile to follow the track across the face of the hill. The track crosses several creeks and wet slips in this section - hopefully you have boots on, because it can be damp in winter. The views back to Sandymount and Boulder Beach are very pretty.

After 30 minutes climbing past more macrocarpas you will arrive at a house perched high above the valley, with stupendous views to the south and east. Just behind the house is Highcliff Road and views across Otago Harbour. Turn right and follow Highcliff Road back to the car. Walk on the right-hand side of the road, so that you can see oncoming traffic.