The Top 10 Things to do in Dunedin, NZ and surrounds Boasting a genuine old-world feel and rich in some of the most beautiful architecture in New Zealand, Dunedin on the South Island's south-east coast is the Otago region's crowning gem, with some of the best examples of Victorian and Edwardian construction this side of the equator combining with a wonderful coastal location that provides a . Theomin Art Collection Guided Tour 13. All images on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and not to be used or distributed without permission from ourselves. Spend an afternoon listening to the native bird song and learning about the flora. See more like this in 10 Things to Do in Dunedin with Kids. Fabulous windswept beach on the Otago Peninsula. You can catch a boat to Quarantine Island from either Port Chalmers or Portobello (on the Peninsula side of the harbour). 15. Geologists The Moeraki Boulders are spherical rock formations lying along Koekohe Beach. The Dunedin Public Art Gallery make the most of their interactive, DIY space on the ground floor. TheToitu Otago Settlers Museum(opens in new window)has created a wonderfully immersive experience that shares the story ofDunedinspast, from the early Mori inhabitants and European settlers, through to more modern history complete with trolley-buses, vintage cars, and retro homewares. Functional facts: Approx. Chances are, if youre headed to Dunedin, youre already somewhere on the South Island of New Zealand. With over 1.5 million objects, the museum tells stories of nature, culture, and science. We stayed in the Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge just across the road from the Dunedin Botanic Garden so we often used to walk back to the hotel via here. As you can see, there are so many things to do in Dunedin. You Can Stay Near Larnach Castle. Another fantastic museum in Dunedin is the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Dunedin has its own airport, which serves as a gateway to the greater Otago region. Booking through these links generates a small commission for me at no extra cost to you. Further afield, some of the best beaches in New Zealand are right here in Dunedin - head to St Clair Beach for excellent surfing and Sandfly Bay for gorgeous scenery and the chance to see fur seals! To get a different perspective, join a Monarch Wildlife Cruise(opens in new window) for a unique view via sea. This is a residential area made up of mostly university students, but please be respectful when driving by. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealands must-dos and hidden gems. Id forgive you if you were a first-timer in New Zealand and hadnt heard of Dunedin. Nicols Falls is the better of the two its reached via a muddy forest track and is very pretty after rain. Thura at Otago Museum is Aotearoa's biggest science centre, and the only bicultural science centre in the world. See more experiences like this in the 10 Luxury Activities in Dunedin. The Otago Museum houses a number of exhibitions that share cultural stories of the Otago region. This is one of Dunedins prettiest inner-city areas and its a great place to go for a coffee or some food. Forsyth Barr Stadium, New Zealands only roofed stadium, is the perfect place to watch a game of rugby. Located around 7.5 kms southwest of the city of Dunedin in South Island, New Zealand, Tunnel Beach is a spectacular and evocative beach backed by the Pacific Ocean, which is blessed with rocky sandstone cliffs, mysterious caves, rugged arches, sea-carved headlands, gurgling waterfalls, massive rocky boulders and exotic vantage points. Its approximately 4.5 hours from Christchurch, 3.5 hours from Queenstown, and 2.5 hours from Invercargill. Either enjoy the free exhibitions or jump on a guided tour to make the most of your visit. This is one of the most scenic coastal drives in New Zealand, assuming you take a few detours off the main road. Iconic Dunedin City Tour 2. You can easily tag on a fourth day in Dunedin, but 2-3 days is a good length of time to keep you moving and excited about your stay. The Organ Pipes Track can be accessed via a trailhead along Mt Cargill Road where there is a small carpark found at the base of the track. See more free attractions like this in our 17 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dunedin. Dunedin is home to several museums, with the best two both being free. As youve probably noticed, Dunedin isnt short on spectacular views. Make sure you stay on cruise ship's time, as local time might not be the same. Here are our top things to do for a fun few days in Dunedin: There are daily direct flights to Dunedin airport from the major cities in New Zealand Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. Go on a Self-Guided Architecture Tour, 15. Sandfly Bay Track. Larnach Castle Tour 3. There are plenty of murals across the city by local and national artists spanning the entire facades of buildings. Dunedin is located on State Highway 1. I havent mentioned all the beaches, viewpoints and hikes because itd take you weeks to see everything (and most people reading this are likely to only stay a few days) if theres one city in New Zealand Id recommend spending a long time in, its Dunedin. Its easily New Zealands best city and you should spend at least a couple of days there before moving onto more iconic places like Queenstown and Fiordland. tourof Speights Brewery and Emersons Brewery in the same day >, BOOK IT: Speights Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting. Check out one of the many farmyard tours available in the area. Regardless, its a very, very steep street and walking up it takes real effort. See arches carved by waves and access the beach at low tide via a manmade tunnel through the cliffs at Tunnel Beach. Scenic Hotel Southern Cross | stylish, contemporary rooms, Distinction Dunedin Hotel | the choice for business travellers, Law Courts Hotel | central budget hotel with basic rooms. Check outrentalcars.comto compare different prices from all the rental car companies. Discover the spectacular landscapes, wildlife and local history of Dunedin. There is a variety of home grown and. This post contains a complete guide to Dunedin, including 18 of the best things to see and do in the Southern city. Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island. Check out tours with Elm Wildlife Tours (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), Iconic Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor), Back to Nature Tours(on Viator and Tripadvisor) and Tourworks NZ (on Viator and Tripadvisor). Port Chalmers is a popular weekend destination from Dunedin and one of the locals' favourite things to do. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. This is one of the best things to do in Dunedin if you are into swimming and surfing. Explore the ever-growing collection of vibrant, whimsical artworks from international and local artists which are dotted throughout the central city, around corners, down alleyways and boldly painted upon the sides of buildings. It also has a reputation for great surf. Recently reclaiming its worlds steepest street title from a contender in Wales, Baldwin Street in Dunedin is a curious tourist experience. At first glance, there is a strange feeling of deja vu if you are familiar with the UK, this is due to the Scottish ancestry and forefathers that set-up home here. You can walk along the dunes above the beach (or take a stroll along John Wilson Drive), go surfing in the world-class waves or hang out at one of the cafes and bars at the Esplanade. Taieri Gorge Railway Trip 5. To go one step further, indulge in a tour and tasting at Emerson's craft brewery(opens in new window) or the historic Speights Brewery(opens in new window). St. Clair is a residential (and super affluent) suburb of Dunedin. Dunedin is home to rare wildlife. Some of our favourites include Signal Hill, Unity Park Lookout and Rotary Park. Things to do in Dunedin Our most recommended things to do in Dunedin 1. Surreal scenery and a historic tunnel are the highlights of a visit to Tunnel Beach, one of Dunedins most popular beaches. There are regular domestic flights from Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. Book your train ticket on Viator or Tripadvisor. Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Go Rentals - they have sustainable electric Tesla options at some of their branches. As well as all the ones Ive mentioned already, there are several viewpoints scattered around the city that you can drive straight to. Dunedin isnt all about coastal views and beaches there are also two waterfalls to check out. Check Out the Steepest Street in the World, 6. Bookings are available on Viator and Tripadvisor. Dunedin is designated a City of Literature by UNESCO, making it a bibliophiles paradise. Find out more about the Speights Brewery Tour on Viator and Tripadvisor. I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. Things to do Nature & Wildlife Penguins Penguins in Dunedin The Otago Peninsula is home to breeding colonies of Little Blue Penguins and rare Yellow-eyed Penguins, who reside here year-round. Like many attractions in Dunedin, its considered the countrys first established art gallery. The museum also houses unusual cultural artefacts and canvas paintings of animals. And dont fret, you wont go thirsty either. We are Caroline and Neil - two British travel bloggers who seek authentic and awesome travel adventures! When I said Dunedin was an artsy destination, I meant it. The station is massive and decorated lavishly with 750,000 Royal Doulton porcelain tiles. Visit the Most Southern Writers Walk in the World, 9. See more experiences like this in the 10 Things to Do in Dunedin with Kids. Dunedin has a rich history and theres an alternative sort of subculture that exists. Located next to the Toit Otago Settlers Museum is this perfect miniature traditional Chinese style garden, built to celebrate the Dunedins Chinese heritage. The Highlanders (who play in Super Rugby, arguably the top rugby league in the world) are based in Dunedin if you visit between February and July you could easily catch a game. At the top there is also the Otago Centennial Memorial a monument that commemorates the centenary of New Zealand becoming a British colony. Advance booking is recommended check out penguinplace.co.nz. Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour 11. If you do not have your own transport then you can take the local bus to Port Chalmers from Dunedincity which will take roughly half an hour. Small group tours last 90 minutes and include a visit to the rehabilitation facility, followed by a short bus ride to the penguin reserve to view the rare penguin, as well as viewing native bird species, New Zealand fur seals and blue penguins. Sandfly Bay Track. 2-3 days in Dunedin is a leisurely amount of time to spend in the city. Today, its open for the public to marvel at the ornate interiors. Do the Signal Hill Walk - FREE. New Zealands first ever botanic garden was founded in 1863 and is a little piece of calm a short walk away from the main city streets. There are many things to do in Dunedin ranging from striking street art to the worlds steepest street, plus some of the best bars and brewery tours to unwind in at the end of a hectic day. Whats more, its the perfect place to take little ones if youre travelling with kids. Youll get sweeping views from the headland separating the two beaches.