Dunedin Travel Guide

  Dunedin, seen from the Summit Road,...
by Kakapo2
  • Dunedin, seen from the Summit Road, Otago Pen.
      Dunedin, seen from the Summit Road,...
    by Kakapo2
  • The beaches - like St. Clair - are near the centre
      The beaches - like St. Clair - are near...
    by Kakapo2
  • Moeraki Boulders
      Moeraki Boulders
    by Robmj
  •   Dunedin
    by Judithdistal
  • An easy walk to the Pyramides, Otago Peninsula.
      An easy walk to the Pyramides, Otago...
    by Kakapo2

Pro

leighdave profile photo

 Loads to do, Great nightlife, close to other towns, good uni, 


Con

worldkiwi profile photo

 It can be very cold, lots of traffic lights if you're driving. 


In a nutshell

mooloo_thing profile photo

 Stunning Scenery, Amazing Buildings, A bit too Cold for my liking! 

 

Explore Dunedin

Things to Do  

Railway Station

Railway Station, Dunedin

 TexasDave Says:  In its early days, the station was the country's busiest, handling up to 100 trains a day. This station was constructed in 1903-04 and features Flemish Renaissance architecture and is a real gem! The main entrance has almost 750,000 Minton tiles with several railroad themed... 

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin

 TexasDave Says:  This is New Zealand's oldest and most extensive history museum and was recently updated and added to in 2011 and 2012. It currently occupies 3 different adjacent buildings, including the New Zealand Railways Bus Station, designed in 1939, which is Dunedin's more notable... 

The Octagon

The Octagon, Dunedin

 TexasDave Says:  Most cities have a main square. Charles Kettle, the city planner,in 1846, decided this city was going to have an eight-sided park in the center of the town. Presently it is a very pleasant area to explore and enjoy. Many city bus routes pass through here. On the west side... 

World's Steepest Street

World's Steepest Street, Dunedin

 TexasDave Says:  At a grade of 35%, it is considered the steepest street. The pictures don't convey 5h3 incline very well. As you drive up you sort of feel that if you lean back the car just might flip backward!Unfortunately at the top the street is a dead end so you have to delicately make... 

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Dunedin Botanic Garden, Dunedin

 TexasDave Says:  New Zealand's oldest, established in 1863, so obviously there are many mature trees. It also has a nice rose garden, and a good sized hot house with tropical and desert plants.Not overly huge but makes for a nice stroll.Entrance is free. 

Moeraki Boulders

Moeraki Boulders, Dunedin

 al2401 Says:  These large, spherical boulders can be found on a stretch of Koekohe Beach, between Moeraki and Hampden. You will find them in clusters or standing alone. The stretch of beach where they stand has been named a scientific reserve. The boulders have been formed near the... 

The Glass House - Dunedin Botanic Gardens

The Glass House - Dunedin Botanic Gardens, Dunedin

 al2401 Says:  The Edwardian glass house contains the Winter Garden. There are three wings housing plants from tropical, desert and sub-tropical regions. It was built in 1908 with additions in 1912. the 1960's saw structural modernisations and the 1990's renovations and additions. 

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens, Dunedin

 al2401 Says:  The Dunedin Botanic Gardens are the oldest in New Zealand and were established in 1863 where the University of Otago now stands. They were moved to their present site in 1896 after extensive flooding. They were enlarged in the early 1900's The gardens spread over two levels... 

Hotels  

858 George Street

 2 Reviews and 102 Opinions  We spent 3 nights staying here. The two rooms we had (1 twin and 1 double) were spacious,... 

Bella Vista Dunedin

 1 Review and 72 Opinions  I had a great stay at the Bella Vista in Dunedin. A couple, John and Robyn Higgins, owns the... 

Restaurants  

The Albert Arms Tavern

The Albert Arms Tavern, Dunedin

 1 Review  This solid establishment is world famous in Dunedin for its yummy doorstep toasted sandwiches. You can get other hearty pub fare at student prices. The Albert is a nice plcae to while away a windy Otago afternoon watching the rugby or cricket. Doorstep toasted sandwich of course!! 

The Palms

The Palms, Dunedin

 2 Reviews  The Palms Restaurant is set in a older style building,looking out at the Queens Garden. We booked in for my daughter's 18th birthday and ate the most delicious food. The presentation, taste,quantity and staff are to be recommended. This is a 5star plus restaurant in Dunedin. I'd recommend you try... 

Robbies Bar & Bistro: Affordable good food.

Robbies Bar & Bistro: Affordable good food., Dunedin

 al2401 Says:  Robbies is a Bar and Bistro chain with 16 restaurants in the South Island of New Zealand. They offer a pleasant atmosphere and quality and quantity at a reasonable price. There was a nice fire burning and even though they were busy we didn't have to wait too long for our... 

Nightlife  

The Bog: Great Irish Bar

The Bog: Great Irish Bar, Dunedin

 morgancjones Says:  The Bog is a great, friendly Irish bar and restaurant right in downtown Dunedin. It has a very relaxed, comfortable, and fun atmosphere, with quiz night on Mondays, open mic on Tuesdays, and live music Fridays and Saturdays. Awesome fries, Guinness beer. Highly recommended. 

Off The Beaten Path  

The Catlins

The Catlins, Dunedin

 1 Review  Waipapa Point is one of several places along the Catlins Coast where it is possible to see Hooker’s Sea Lions. These endangered animals are found mostly at the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, but a few live on the Otago Peninsula, the Catlins Coast, and on and around Stewart Island. Much larger and... 

Port Chalmers

Port Chalmers, Dunedin

 2 Reviews  Port Chalmers is located on the north shore of Otago harbour and is the deep water port for Otago. A short, 15 minute drive from Dunedin, and we were here! We found a nice lookout here, where my photo was taken from, it had great views of the port area, and of the beautiful Iona church. Port... 

Larnach Castle

Larnach Castle, Dunedin

 1 Review  On the Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle is open daily for both guided and independent tours and has a huge collection of New Zealand antiques, situated within 35 acres of gardens and grounds. The Barker Family, present-day owners, have lovingly restored this historic castle. Built in 1871 by a local... 

Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens.

Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens., Dunedin

 1 Review  Glenfalloch means 'peaceful valley' and this place is indeed just that. The gardens are free (donations welcome) and there is plenty of parking. They are only a short drive from Dunedin along the scenic coastal Portobello Road, that hugs the Otago Harbour. There is a cafe on site that serves nice... 

Mount Cargill.

Mount Cargill., Dunedin

 1 Review  If you have a car, then a drive to the summit of Mount Cargill, northeast of the city, is a must. The views from here are expansive and you can see the entire Otago Peninsula and harbour. To the north and northwest the views stretch up the coast and into the rugged Otago hinterland. The road is... 

Taiaroa Head

Taiaroa Head, Dunedin

 1 Review  The Albatross has long been a creature of reverence and superstition. Well before Coleridge penned his 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', seafarers believed that when their captains died their souls took the form of an albatross to wander the oceans forever. The Royal Albatross, one of the largest... 

Favorites  

The Octagon

The Octagon, Dunedin

 3 Reviews  The Octagon is the central "square" [actually and obviously an octagon] in the centre of the city. It is well laid out with a nice covered walkway alongside the road thru the middle. A variety of people hang out here, from students, to vagrants to diners and tourists. There are a few eateries around... 

SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

SOUTHERN SCENIC  ROUTE, Dunedin

 balhannah Says:  The Southern Scenic route is what we followed all the way to Invercargill and onto Milford Sound. We only missed a couple of small sections, they were at the start, we joined it at Taieri Mouth which is 35kms from Dunedin.A little further on near Fortrose, we detoured off,... 

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Map of Dunedin