A homicide investigation was launched after a member of the public discovered the body just off a walking track near the Scott Memorial lookout in Blueskin Rd about 1pm.
The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis, said it appeared the man died by "violent means".
Police worked late into the night to identify the body and carry out a forensic examination of the crime scene.
However, little information was available late last night.
It is understood the body was about five minutes' walk along the track from the monument, possibly near a rock known as Lane's Rock.
The victim was wearing a grey hooded jacket, light blue polar fleece pants, with grey shorts on the outside.
Police said a silver car was parked in the car park at the monument which is immediately below the scene.
They had received good leads from the public, but were still interested in sightings of vehicles in and around the the car park yesterday and Tuesday.
Locals said people often stopped at the car park to admire the view.
The bush above the monument stretched down to the town and people regularly walked the track.
In Port Chalmers last night, people recalled seeing the car parked in the car park, although reports varied as to how long it had been there.
