Location: Dunedin
Top Things to do in Dunedin
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Dunedin, South Island
Rare yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and the world's only mainland albatross colony share residence in Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city. When you're not watching wildlife, this South Island Otago Coast town also boasts impressive historic architecture from its days as a gold-rush mecca. Visit the 1906 Flemish Renaissance railway station or the country's largest center of higher learning, which resembles Glasgow University, thanks to the area's early Scottish settlers.
Restaurants in Dunedin
1. Silverstream Walks
2. Saddle Hill
3. Sandfly Bay Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By zhuhai2007 - Christchurch, New Zealand
An easy drive to the car park and short walk to see NZ fur seals sunning themselves on the sand at low tide.
4. Okia Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Diovt - Panton, United States
This is a magical place off the beaten path. The trek is about 2 kilometers if you take the direct route to Victory Beach, which is the longest beach on the Otago Peninsula. We took the longer loop track stopping first to climb the small "pyramid" which gave an amazing view of the whole valley. In the base of the pyramid is a cave where Maori warriors were taken to heal. The dunes are considered "relic dunes" and are several thousand years old. The rock formations are amazing especially the "rosette" on a cliffside. Be sure to grab one of the guides located in a box at the stile into the preserve, don't forget to return it when you leave. We made a second trek in at 8 PM hoping to see the yellow eyed penguins come out of the sea. We did not but we did see tracks. Our hike back to our car with headlamps at 10:00 PM was special.
5. Long Beach
6. Sandymount Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Diovt - Panton, United States
There are several ways to experience this track. You can just climb Sandymount from the carpark but the views are limited. You can hike out to the new overlook and see amazing panoramas of the whole Otago Peninsula, including Allan's Beach and Hooper's Inlet. If you wish, continue and circle around to Sandymount from the overlook but be prepared for some arduous climbing up some very sandy slopes up the top of the mount. You will encounter sheep along the way.
7. Allans Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 422iana - Dunedin, New Zealand
This is Dunedin's hidden gem! Off the tourist route, but you are likely to see sea lions in this area. Walk all the way down the beach to the estuary. You can also see penguins are the right time. Please read the signs and don't get close to these animals. So many tourists get right next to them and they are big animals and if provoked could cause damage.
8. Glenfalloch Gardens Cafe and Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden is a lush historic garden filled with native birdsong. Imagine meeting an original 1000 year old Matai tree hidden in the native bush while you listen to a piwakawaka merrily flitting amongst the trees. You can enjoy panoramic harbour views as you stroll among the rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, fuchsias and a profusion of other flower species which integrate with native ferns, exotic imports and indigenous New Zealand trees to showcase 140 years of conservation and expansion of our botanical heritage. Glenfalloch Garden is definitely a four season garden with each season bringing its own special array of colours and fragrances.
Reviewed By anitao906 - Mannheim, Germany
Shortly before 10 am we had the gardens almost exclusively to ourselves. Roses, ferns and rhododendron, exotic plants, colourful shrubs, mighty trees, birds, romantic hidden spots... everything well-kept. A serene and peaceful atmosphere making you leave your cares behind... Make sure to stop there when exploring the Peninsula! It's ever so beautiful...
9. Penguin Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Penguin Place is a private conservation effort to help save the world's most endangered penguin, the Yellow Eyed Penguin. Visitors are taken on guided walking tours through a unique system of trenches and hides to view the penguins undisturbed at close range. Penguin Place is funded 100% by the support of our visitors, this funding enables habitat restoration, predator control, a research programme and on-site rehabilitation for sick, starving and wounded penguins. It is our hope that through our efforts, the future of this rare and wonderful penguin will be assured.
Reviewed By fairrosaline - Nairobi, Kenya
This is a great chance to visit and learn about the world’s most endangered penguin while supporting their hospital and habitat. You’ll get to see the penguins very close up in the hospital area and then see a few in their natural habitat on the gorgeous coast of Otago Peninsula. So cute! We also saw seals and very cool native birds, as well as a couple little blue penguins in nesting boxes. There’s a bit of walking and a few inclines on the hills- elderly folks in our group did not have issues, but the last part of the tour is not wheel chair friendly. You can self drive to this place easily via the scenic peninsula or take a wildlife tour or cruise that includes it.
10. Warrington Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
