Location: Dunedin
Top Things to do in Dunedin
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Things to do in Dunedin, South Island: The Best Specialty Museums
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. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,058 reviews
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is a museum of social history dedicated to telling the story of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding area, whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion and transport shaped New Zealand’s first great city.Its fourteen themed galleries feature interactive displays and powerful narratives tracing the human history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the most recent arrivals.Captivating exhibitions are complemented by an on site shop and café. A well-equipped research centre and archive is available for those interested in genealogy and other aspects of local history.
Reviewed By Xin-Fang - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The museum is located next to the Dunedin Railway Station. Free entry (charges may apply to special exhibition) but donations are appreciated. There is a gift shop and a coffee shop near to the reception counter. Toilets are available. We were given a map to show us the route of visit. Starting from Josephine, first train on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Line in 1873, to the Dunedin Goes Digital (technology development and use in Dunedin and Otago), there are about 17 sections for one to explore. After the exit, it will lead to the Dunedin Chinese Garden (with admission fee). In the museum, there are several sections whereby touchable exhibits are provided to the visitors such as Mokihi, Wharerau, Cottage, Across the Ocean Waves, Roslyn No.1 electrical tram, penny-farthing and Tiger Tea trolleybus.
2. The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery is a small private museum and gallery based in the home of Dunedin mural artist and sculptor, Bruce Mahalski, and located at 61 Royal Terrace in Dunedin, New Zealand. Spread over three rooms of an old central city villa the museum contains a collection of skulls, bones, biological curiosities, ethnological art and unusual cultural artifacts which the artist has collected over a lifetime. There is also a gallery featuring his own unique bone art and paintings for sale.
Reviewed By TimmyC173
The best 5 clams in town. Bruce will even make you a cuppa! Amazing collection of the weird and wonderful plus the garden is top-notch
3. Dunedin Gasworks Museum
4. Fletcher House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Historic Fletcher House is a fully restored and furnished traditional Edwardian villa located on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin. The villa was built in 1909 as a family home by Sir James Fletcher, a NZ building pioneer, and has since been restored to its former glory and furnished in Edwardian style. The site features a traditional Edwardian garden. It is open for all to enjoy thanks to the Fletcher Challenge Fund and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Open weekends and public holidays 11.00am - 4.00pm
5. Otago Art Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By freddielola
We missed seeing this when we arrived as it shut at 4.00 pm. It's an interesting gem of a place for a short visit while you're looking at the station.
6. Gasworks Forge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
We are a startup utilising the old forge in the Gasworks Museum to provide Blacksmithing classes and demonstrations for everyone. Keeping a 3500 year old skill relevant and useful thought sheer will. Irish Blacksmith and troop of apprentices now train new blacksmiths every month, come down and learn the secrets of steel! We forge, we party, we laugh, we get big blisters!
7. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By A1171VKdenniss - Adelaide Hills, Australia
A Mate and I recently visited the NZ Sports Hall of Fame while on a cruise around New Zealand with our wife's. He is a made fan of the All Blacks and wanted to see and purchase anything All Blacks while the girls were off shopping for wool products made in New Zealand . He was not disappointed as there is every sport represented from football, cycling, car racing, cricket, rowing to mention a few plus many more sports. We spent around a hour looking around which was plenty of time for me but I am sure that the sports enthusiast would spend a couple of hours there easily. At $6.00 NZ for entry it is not bad value. My Mate got his All Blacks T-shirt and it was off for a cold beer on a hot day .
8. Beverly-Begg Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
