Location: Dunedin
Top Things to do in Dunedin
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Top 10 Things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand
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 based on 1 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 Mark H - Dunedin
This is a great little museum, and like the Otago Museum it is free to visit. Highly recommended. Make sure you visit the adjacent Railway station (consider a trip of the train if you have time), and the adjacent Chinese garden (this does have a small entrance fee).
2. Otago Peninsula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The Otago Peninsula is a long, hilly indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin, New Zealand. Volcanic in origin, it forms one wall of the eroded valley that now forms Otago Harbour. The peninsula lies south-east of Otago Harbour and runs parallel to the Mainland for 20 km, with a maximum width of 9 km. It is joined to the Mainland at the south-west end by a narrow isthmus about 1.5 km wide.
Reviewed By foodthatsings - Buderim, Australia
Shrouded in fog at the start, unfurling as our trip wove around the peninsula, into all kinds of pretty, rural & water scenes. Quaint villages, treasured bird & animal species, light house all make this part of the world wonderful & wild. Enjoy a walk. See the castle. And the seals a lovely leisurely drive to slow down & appreciate some special things in our busy world.
3. Olveston Historic Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 791 reviews
A 'must visit' for lovers of art, heritage and history, Olveston is lavishly furnished with exotic artefacts, prized artworks, antique furniture, ceramics and statues from around the world. The 35-room Edwardian mansion was designed for a one of Dunedin's most prominent businessmen, philanthropists and collectors during the early 1900s. The house was gifted to the people of Dunedin in 1966, fully furnished with the original contents, Olveston is a time capsule as little has changed inside the house since it was occupied as a family home. The house and its 'Garden of National Significance', within the city's Green Belt, can be experienced at 42 Royal Terrace, within walking distance of Dunedin's Octagon. Entry inside the house is by guided tour only (1 hour, max. 15 People per group). Tours commence daily at: 9.30am, 10.45am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm. Group bookings available at a time to suit the group - available on request. Tours are conducted in English. Mandarin, Cantonese, German, French, Japanese and Dutch speaking guides are available for groups on request. The Gardens, listed as a New Zealand Gardens Trust 'Garden of National Significance' and the gift shop are open daily and free to the public.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
I had no problems buying a timed entry ticket (around $21) from the attraction's website prior to the day of my visit thus ensuring a visit at a time of my choosing. Entry to the house is only with a guided tour which is limited to about 10 people. There are 3 tours in the morning and 3 tours in the afternoon; each lasts 1 hour. The guide points out the features of each room, answers questions, and then the group as a whole moves on to the next room. The rooms are roped off and no photos can be taken in the house.
This 1904-1906 house is an attractive 3 story stone faced home with a basement built for the prominent Theomins. Visitors get to see the rooms on the first 2 floors which include the family's living and sleeping rooms plus a kitchen/butler area, altogether about 12 rooms.The rooms are furnished as the owner left them, the Theomin's daughter, when she willed the house to the city in the late 60's. The decor and the collections, however, reflect her parents' taste. Both loved to travel and collected art objects and different styles of furniture from medieval, American colonial, Oriental - all displayed in various rooms. The rooms certainly feel lived in and have lots to look at. Pictures of the interior rooms and exterior of the house can be seen on the website for this attraction.
The first floor we visited had quite a few rooms. The foyer was unusual in that there was a washroom in the vestibule. Old Japanese weaponry - spears, shields, helmets - were hung on the entry wall. Other rooms on this level included the Great Hall, library, dining room, drawing room, and kitchen/butler area. These rooms were roped off. Runner rugs placed over the wood floors and area rugs under furniture were copies of original ones. Walls still had original wall paper and were filled with framed paintings of varied subjects and styles. Each room had nice window coverings. The dining room was set for a formal dinner - it was my favorite room. The library was a good size and had the usual shelves of antique looking books. The Great Hall felt spacious as there was no ceiling. The room was open to the upstairs area and had a variety of uncomfortable looking styles of furniture - medieval chairs and American colonial benches. The drawing room had a more intimate setting with comfortable furniture in a number of different Seating groups - some by the fireplace, some by the window, some by the piano. Display cases held collections of China plates, bowls, Delft vases, and silverware. These rooms as well as the bedrooms upstairs all had fireplaces - seemingly unnecessary on the hot day that I visited. The kitchen located next to the dining room had a food prep area with remnants of a turn of the century kitchen and modern conveniences like a fridge, a gas cook top, a mix master. The butler's area had a wall safe where the silverware was stored.
Upstairs, the daughter's bedroom appealed to me with its lighter pastel colors. The son's bedroom reflected his military experience. Several rooms had also been grouped together to make an apartment. The dad had a billiard's room and card room on this level quite close to the master bedroom and dressing area. The bathrooms were of interest due to their elaborate use of tile on the wall and clawed tub. The parent's quarters took up a great deal of the second floor.
The house is on a city residential street with small city yards. The grounds surrounding Olveston are free for all to look at. I thought the small conservatory in the backyard had the most beautiful display of colorful streptocarpus and begonias. The front of the house has a perennial border - mainly dahlias on my visit - large shrubs and trees. To take pictures of the back of the house with its columned loggia, walk around to Queen Street. The garage houses a restored antique touring car that visitors can view through a plexiglass wall.
A small gift shop is inside the house, but no refreshments are for sale. A washroom building is available in the backyard. Parking next to the house on Cobden Street is free. I don't recommend trying to walk to this attraction from the CBD due to the hilly route.
Our hour visit flew by. Olveston House has a different feel to it than Larnach Castle. Try to visit both attractions as they represent a style of living from different time periods.
4. Otago Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 926 reviews
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver
The building houses both a museum and science center. The museum is free while there is a charge for the science center. I visited just the museum to see the Maori artifacts due to limited time. This display was excellent with little duplication from Maori displays at other museums in New Zealand.
The displays focused on the Maori's cultural past. A diorama showed how ancient Maoris lived in huts by the seashore and used woven fishing baskets to catch food. There was a sample of their woven garments made from the flax plant and their spears. A few of the agricultural tools used for planting kumara/sweet potato were on display. A pencil drawing which showed that Maoris had also lived in fenced settlements was based on the results of an archaeological dig. Male and female roles in Maori society were briefly described. A wood carving showed a Maori war dancer with his tongue outstretched and waving a club. Nearby was a sample of poi balls woven from flax which were swung and twisted during a dance.
Other displays showed how Maori remembered their ancestors. Ancestors were remembered not only on pole carvings of which there were several examples in this gallery, but also with notches made on a whale bone. Each notch stood for the life span (30 years) of one ancestor. Other carvings were related to creation myths - again ancestors - Sky Father, Sky mother. Often these gods were incorporated into war canoe figure heads. Each carving showed great skill and attention to detail but also a uniformity in the portrayal of figures. There was a war canoe on display and even the object needed to bail water out of the canoe - again thoughtfully carved.
One piece of wood carving showed a warrior's or chieftain's face fully tattooed. Beside it were the implements used to carry out these tattoos on humans. There even was a feeding funnel used to feed the chief during this process to prevent contamination with all of the blood arising from the cuts. There were samples of other carvings done with bone and a green stone, usually jewellery.
Another display that I enjoyed showed how Maoris adapted European made items. For example, nails were twisted in the shape of fish hooks; coins were drilled with a hole and used in necklaces. With European contact, there were land settlement issues which the Waitangi Treaty tried to resolve. There was a replica of the Waitangi Treaty but without the analysis given in the Te Papa Museum in Wellington.
In addition to these artifacts, visitors could view a short video on how the Maori explained the creation of New Zealand. Each item on display had dual signage - Maori and English. I allowed about 1 hour to view these displays.
The cafe at the entrance to the museum was spacious and offered food at rates less than cafes. Food in the cold case looked delicious - wraps ($8), salads ($8), sandwiches ($8.50) - but hot items like soup ($15) were also available. The scones ($4.50) were delicious; slices ($4) were a bit on the dry side; coffee/tea ($4).
Street parking can be a problem. Expect to pay a parking fee of $2 per hour.
5. Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
Our 307 hectare Ecosanctuary is the only area of native forest in Mainland South Island where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests. It is home to some of New Zealand's most fascinating and rare forest wildlife.
Reviewed By Grant D - Sydney, Australia
Surrounded by a stainless steel fence to keep out predators and vermin, this reserve is a lovely place to visit. It is well maintained with an excellent cafe. You can have a guided tour or walk around on your own. This reserve complements the other Royal Albatross Centre on the Otago Peninsula since it is a totally different habitat. Ideal for viewing Kaka, Takahe, Tomtit, Fernbird, Rifleman and other species, the reserve is also home to skinks, lizards and orchids. The walks are graded and easy to do. This is a place well worth a visit.
6. Tunnel Beach Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 554 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Nigel T - Dunedin, New Zealand
Easy parking lures you down the steep hill, and then further down the steep hill as the view opens out to a spectacular Panorama of polished sandstone cliffs, sea-blown arches and aerial platforms - wild native pigeons and motley seabirds. If you continue to the end of the path, there's a welcome seat, and then short walks to explore the cliffs and, of course, the tunnel itself cut through the living rock to the rocks and sandy beach below. Deservedly popular amongst the young. BUT a serious walk back up to the top who are not in the peak of physical fitness.
7. Aramoana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By KevinRL - Maleny, Australia
So we decided to take a drive out through Port Chalmers and on to the beach at the entrance to Otago Harbour. Pleasant enough drive and a nice sandy beach and breakwater, with a good view across to the lighthouse on the other headland. Would have been a treacherous place to bring in a sailing ship in the days of old. Nice drive for a few hours.
8. Dunedin Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 946 reviews
The Dunedin Botanic Garden is New Zealand's first botanic garden and holds the status of six star Garden of International Significance. ArbNet, the global network for tree-focussed professionals, has accredited the Botanic Garden as level III. The Camellia Collection is rated as a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. The Botanic Garden celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013, marking its position as New Zealand's first botanic garden. It occupies 30.4 hectares in North Dunedin at an altitude of 25 - 85 metres above sea level. The Garden has hill views from sunny lawns, more than 6,800 plant species and the song of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui. Its wide range of horticultural and botanical collections includes roses, the herbaceous and perennial borders, a rock garden, New Zealand native plants and four hectares of Rhododendron Dell with more than 3,000 rhododendrons. An important aspect of The New Zealand Native plant collection is the cultivation of rare and endangered native plant species. The geographic plant collections are an expression of the Victorian penchant for collection and growing plants from all around the world and displaying them in related groups. This collection has plants from temperate climates of North Asia, the South, Central and North Americas, Southern Africa, the Himalayas and the Mediterranean.
Reviewed By Aequitas6 - Scotland, United Kingdom
I enjoyed our afternoon spent here. The Gardens have the river running through and a good selection of different garden areas, rockery, rose etc. The only problem was that it was a local holiday and the parking was a nightmare. We parked in a nearby residential area and then walked back.
9. Dunedin Railway Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Alfred V - Amsterdam
Yes, this is perhaps the most photographed building in NZ, but with reason. The outside is beautiful, but the inside even more so. Great mosaics, and many details went into the decorations. It is still functional too, and you can also book a few scenic tours by train here.
10. Otago Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
The Otago Farmers Market delivers the very best of what the region produces every Saturday morning rain, hail or shine. Situated beside the historic Dunedin Railway Station up to 75 vendors sell a delicious range of fruit, vegetables, meats,eggs, bread, cheese, condiments and yummy breakfast and brunch options including great coffee.
Reviewed By ParadisePictures - Glenorchy, New Zealand
Visited the Market today on what has been Dunedin's coldest day of the year so far. Snow flurries down to sea level. The weather didn't matter though as the warmth, friendliness and enthusiasm of all the stall holders totally made up for it. The abundance...MoreThanks so much for your great review. Yes it was a a rather dismal weather day on Saturday but we try not to let it get us down! Business as usual with the best of the region on offer!
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