Location: Dunedin
Top Things to do in Dunedin
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Top 10 Things to do 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. 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. Larnach Castle & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,841 reviews
Discover New Zealand’s only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world.The Castle is still privately owned and cared for by the Barker family who purchased it as their home in 1967. Decades have been spent on the Castle's restoration, with the family having restored empty buildings from ruin and assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. Open to the public throughout, this conservation project has been funded through admission fees. The family has always been committed to opening their home and sharing this significant period of Dunedin and New Zealand's history.Scandalous and tragic stories, spectacular tower views and a Garden of International Significance complete this enjoyable award-winning experience. Boutique Lodge accommodation is available in the Castle gardens. Weddings, Balls, Conferences and Celebrations are held in the beautiful 3000 square foot Ballroom. High Tea is also now served daily in the Ballroom at 3pm
Reviewed By pirate013
A must see!!!! Beautiful castle!!!! Exquisite gardens!!!! Yummy lunch!!!! Self guided tour!!!! Highly Recommend Untamednz for your private tour!!!! You won't be disappointed
3. Olveston Historic Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 976 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 TranquilityAustralia
We loved our short visit to this wonderful historic house. A very interesting insight into times gone by. It has the feeling of being just as it always was and someone has just stepped out and allowed you to be a voyeur into their home.
4. Otago Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By geckopoo
We visited this place 12 years ago when on holiday with our kids, so excited to come back after all these years, and so relieved it is still as good as we remembered (if not better!). Always loved the Animal Attic, great homage to the old-fashioned classical museum collections complete with stuffed specimens in original glass cabinets, fantastic! We were staying just a block away so we just loved visiting the Animal Attic first thing in the morning as the museum opened when it was nice, quiet and oh so peaceful out there, just us and the animals, it was like having our own private museum. A floor down was the maritime gallery and natural history section, also our favourite areas - the moa skeletons on display are well curated, labels very informative and interesting. On the first floor is the special exhibits area which until April this year honours 130 years of collecting in New Zealand, very intriguing array of examples ranging from the heart of a great white shark to a petrified rat collection to gold coins from the Elizabethan period. This is a very modern and spacious museum yet it still has a rather conservative and traditional feel - we love it! The technology is well used to enhance and inform without being too gimmicky and glitzy. Good toilets, water fountains and rest areas on all floors too. Best of all, it’s free. Well done, Dunedin for having this excellent museum in your midst!
5. 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.
6. Otago Peninsula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,056 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 kiwikeen2020 - Gold Coast, Australia
We did a bus tour visiting sights around Otago Peninsula - Larnach Castle, Sandfly bay, Royal Albatross colony and Penguin Place and Penguin cafe for lunch - we all had a lovely time and beautiful sunny day which made it even better.
7. The Royal Albatross Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,053 reviews
The only chance to see... the world's only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Colony. A unique experience to access the nature reserve to see giant albatross court, mate, raise their chicks and show off their three metre wingspans. Taiaroa Head/Pukekura is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. Experience it for yourself by taking a guided tour through the Nature Reserve into the viewing Observatory. The 2012 latest Lonely Planet publication "1000 Ultimate Sights" features the Royal Albatross Centre alongside the Taj Mahal and Grand Canyon. They say of us: Here at one of New Zealand's hottest attractions the draw card is the bird life. Taiaroa Head is the site of the world's only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can observe the spectacle of the albatrosses with wingspans of up to 3m coming in to land like a succession of 747s. The Royal Albatross Centre is located on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, about a 45 minute drive from Dunedin. We are operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust, a charitable trust formed in 1967 for the protection of the local natural environment. The Nature Reserve on Taiaroa Head is managed by the Department of Conservation. Taiaroa Head is also famous in New Zealand history. From a small Maori camp in the 1300s to a fortified pa where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840; from a wooden flagstaff to 1864 lighthouse to radar entrance for Otago Harbour; from an 1880s underground fortress to a large defence base in WWII. Taiaroa Head is today a Nature Reserve and an iconic wildlife attraction.
Reviewed By FourTravel2013 - Auckland, New Zealand
We did the Unique Taiaroa tour which allowed plenty of time to view the albatross chicks and also a couple of the adult birds flying close by in the strong wind. James was our knowledgeable guide who was informative and happy to answer any questions. The history of the 1889 Armstrong Disappearing Gun and underground tunnels was interesting. A great way to spend a couple of hours even if it’s raining.
8. Speight’s Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 960 reviews
A true icon of the South, we are the oldest continually operating Brewery in New Zealand, and the only site to have an historic Brew Floor and state of the art Brewery housed within the same location. After an extensive remodel in 2017 we are now excited to be able to offer a range of Tour packages to suit our diverse market - we can cater for groups of up to 100, as well as individual travellers and those wishing to experience a private tour. Out standard tours are 60 minutes in duration, followed by a 30 minute tasting session - we will even show you how to pour the perfect glass of Gold Medal Ale. The Speight’s Brewery is also the spiritual home of New Zealand’s biggest beer brand, attracting over 25,000 visitors per year to experience the “Pride of the South”; as one if Dunedin’s most popular tourist attractions we are looking forward to welcoming you to our iconic experience. Good on ya mate
Reviewed By DarrenS2939 - Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Brewery tour was very informative Awesome tour with Ken, very nice tasting room. Good on ya Speights!
9. Tunnel Beach Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By PaulM223 - Christchurch, New Zealand
The closer you get to Tunnel Beach, the more amazing it gets...The track to the tunnel is well-formed and easily negotiated, but it is steep and a little slippery in places, so good walking shoes/boots recommended. The scenery of the elements carved cliffs and rocks makes the walk very interesting and you emerge from the little tunnel into a sheltered cove where crashing waves meet solid rock on a beautiful white sand beach. There are numerous hazards like uneven surfaces, waves, cliffs and crevasses...take good care and keep children close. Plenty of photo opportunities and spectacular scenery abounds.
10. Dunedin Railway Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,366 reviews
Reviewed By paulelenio
This beautiful building has to be on visitors' wishlists. The architecture is magnificent, a reminder of a bygone era when train travel excelled long before the jets arrived. The interior is also worth spending time in, particularly the home of the New Zealand sports hall of fame on the first floor with a wonderful array of memorabilia celebrating the achievements of our sports legends such as Peter Snell, Colin Meads and Susan Devoy. From the same station the daily heritage train service taking sightseers up the Taeri Gorge leaves, another great attraction not to be missed.
