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Although not often high on the tourist agenda for New Zealand, we suggest you plan to visit Otago’s main city Dunedin next time you are in the South Island. There are many things to do in Dunedin ranging from striking street art to the world’s steepest street, plus some of the best bars and brewery tours to unwind in at the end of a hectic day.
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. The street layouts and names even replicate those of Edinburgh (some even refer to Dunedin as the ‘Edinburgh of the South)’.
Dunedin is also known for its student population (if you have time beforehand, check out the Kiwi classic movie, Scarfies for a taster of Dunedin student life).
So if you are travelling on a budget, you can benefit from some of the cheap as chips bar and meal deals here – just don’t accept any all night frat-house party invitations as you may miss your flight.
Here are our top things to do for a fun few days in Dunedin:
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How to get to Dunedin
There are daily direct flights to Dunedin airport from the major cities in New Zealand – Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
The best way to get around Dunedin is by car /campervan so you can explore all the amazing places located outside the city centre. You can pick up your hire vehicle at Dunedin airport or in the city. Check out rentalcars.com to compare different prices from all the rental car companies.
If you are visiting Dunedin as part of a road trip then check out ourChristchurch to Dunedin 5 day itinerary. You can fly into Christchurch and fly out of Dunedin airports.
Dunedin can also be reached by bus with InterCity® operating at least two daily bus services from Christchurch to Dunedin.
Things to do in Dunedin
1. Visit Baldwin Street
Recently reclaiming its ‘world’s steepest street’ title from a contender in Wales, Baldwin Street in Dunedin is a curious tourist experience. Essentially, it is just a regular residential street but it is fun to climb all the way to the top and pose for ‘slanted’ photos.
The gradient is 1 in 2.86 and due to the severity of the incline (unless you have complete faith in your car’s handbrake), you are best to park your car at the bottom and walk up.
There is also a bench to rest on at the top with some historical information about the street. Baldwin Street is best to visit very early or later in the day due to the number of visitors that it attracts. Read our full Baldwin Street blog post >
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2. Go on a local Dunedin Brewery tour
As luck would have it, two of New Zealand’s most renowned breweries can be found in downtown Dunedin – Speights, one of the biggest New Zealand commercial breweries plus the smaller, Emerson’s craft brewery.
Both are quite different in their approach to brewing so we took a brewery (and tasting!) tour at each of them – read about our recent back-to-back (hic!) tour of Speights Brewery and Emersons Brewery in the same day >
BOOK IT: Speight’s Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting
3. Drink at the bars at Dunedin’sOctagon
If you’d rather just head straight to the bars and avoid doing brewery tours whilst in Dunedin, the best and biggest selection of bars can be found around the vibrant and student-friendly Octagon area – the city’s entertainment district.
It is called The Octagon as all the bars are centred around an eight-sided plaza – like an Octagon.
4. Explore Dunedin Train Station
One of the most elegant train stations we’ve ever encountered, this distinctive building features on many Dunedin postcards, magnets, tea-towels and the like.
Although now mainly serving as a tourist destination rather than a railway, the day trip train to Taieri Gorge departs from here plus there are several other exhibits including the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Our tip would be to walk up the stairs and look down on the station from the second storey – the floor tiles are ornate and symmetry fans will also be in for a treat.
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5. Drive around the Otago Peninsula
Although you need to hire a car for this (or join a tour), we’d recommend you head out of Dunedin to Otago Peninsula not only for the destination, but also for the journey itself.
The road from Dunedin to Taiaroa Head is incredibly windy taking you through several cute quaint coastal towns with gorgeous beaches, all of whom have decorated their bus shelters with colourful cartoons and quirky murals.
Also watch out for the wildlife as you near Taiaroa Head, with several signs warning of seals and penguins that may stray into the road. Once you reach the top, walk along the headland trail here (we’ve seen seals swimming here in the ocean on the last two trips).
6. Visit the Royal Albatross Centre
Whilst you are visiting the Otago Peninsula, then stop by the Royal Albatross Centre – the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross in the world!
Here you can book a guided tour to view nesting albatross from their modern, purpose-built indoor glassed viewing area and also from their viewing observatory.If you happen to visit on a blustery or rainy day then the information panels and hot chocolate are also worthy of your time.
If you do not have your own transport then you can book this Royal Albatross Centre & Otago Peninsula Tour which picks you up in Dunedin town.
7. Dunedin Sightseeing wildlife tour
Head out onto the ocean for beautiful views of the Otago Peninsula and a chance to get up close to wildlife such as Albatross and fur seals, and if you are lucky, an endangered New Zealand sealion! This is one of the best things to do in Dunedin if you love your wildlife!
Check out the tours offered by Monarch Wildlife Cruise.
8. Penguin Place
Just a short drive from Dunedin is Penguin Place – the world’s first entirely tourism-funded conservation programme and home to the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin.
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.
Advance booking is recommended – check out penguinplace.co.nz.
9. Hang at St Clair Beach
St Clair is a coastal suburb just a short drive from Dunedin town centre and is very popular during the summer months. This is one of the best things to do in Dunedin if you are into swimming and surfing.
It’s beautiful and large sweeping beach is home to the historic St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool – one of the only heated seawater pools in New Zealand. The St Clair Esplanade is also a great place to hang out with a promenade lined with cafes and bars that have views of the ocean.
10. Admire the Dunedin Street Art
With around 30 massive murals in the city-centre and a dedicated map provided by the tourist centres, you realise straight away how importantly Dunedin’s street art is treated here.
Even if you aren’t actively trying to search out the murals, you can’t fail to spot some of these awesome artworks as you explore downtown Dunedin.
This all came to be after an inaugural street art festival was held in 2014, whereby several New Zealand and international street artists were commissioned to do large art pieces.
Since then, the number keeps increasing and if you are lucky, you might see a work in progress piece of art going up when you visit (look out for the huge scissor-lifts).
11. Stroll around Dunedin Botanic Garden
New Zealand’s first ever botanic garden was founded in 1863 and is a little piece of calm a short walk away from the main city streets. 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.
Split over two levels, highlights include the Rhododendron Dell and bird aviary situated in the upper garden and the Winter Garden Glasshouse in the lower garden.
12. Drive to Moeraki Boulders
Located an hour’s drive north from Dunedin, the mysterious Moeraki Boulders are dotted along the beach, each weighing several tonnes and some as tall as 2 metres high.
The scientific explanation to these amazing spherical stones is that they are calcium concretions formed 60 million years ago!
Maori legend states that the stones are gourds that came from the legendary voyaging canoe Araiteuru, that washed ashore when the vessel was wrecked when it hit rocks hundreds of years ago.
Visit very early to photograph them without the crowds – we visited at 6am and we were jostling for position with tour bus visitors. Read our Moeraki Boulders blog here >
13. Visit Dunedin Larnach Castle
New Zealand’s only castle and a nod to their Scottish ancestry, Larnach Castle has been described as Dunedin’s most visited attraction, despite what we think are quite steep admission fees ($19.50 NZD just to see the garden or $39 including the castle).
Constructed for the wealthy investor William Lanarch in 1871 using his Otago gold-rush profits, materials were shipped from all over the world to complete this fairytale home (although it didn’t end so well when William committed suicide in Wellington a few years later).
Take afternoon tea in the cafe here or up head to the tower for stunning views of the green hills dotted around Dunedin. Expensive for it is, if you are on a tight or backpacker budget, we’d suggest your $39 might be better spent elsewhere.
Click here to book in advance your admission ticket to the castle >
14. Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
New Zealand’s oldest history museum is dedicated to telling the story of the people of Dunedin and is one of the best things to do in Dunedin on a rainy day.
There are 14 different themed galleriesusinginteractive displays to cover a range of subjects including culture, technology, art, fashion and transport.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is open daily 10am-5pm, and there is also a gift shop and cafe onsite.
15. Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden
Located next to the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is this perfect miniature traditional Chinese style garden, built to celebrate the Dunedin’s Chinese heritage. There is a large Chinese community here with many settling in and around the city during the 1860s Central Otago gold rush.
The garden is crafted by a team of artisans from Dunedin’s sister city Shanghai, using materials transported over from China. Onsite there is also a gift shop and a beautiful tea house where you can purchase traditional Chinese tea, steamed buns and dumplings.
Lan Yuanis open daily 10am-5pm, and admission is $10pp (children under 13 have free entry).
16. Craft chocolate tasting at OCHO
OCHO stands for Otago Chocolate Company and you can head over to their Dunedin based factory to learn all about how they make their chocolate using ethically sourced Pacific islands cocoa. They are one of the largest craft chocolate companies in New Zealand and produce around 10,000 bars a week!
Chocolate tasting tours are held onsite andcost $25pp for a 30 minute session – head over to OCHO’s website to book.
There is also a factory gift shop which is open 10am – 3pm; Monday – Saturday, where you can buy bars of chocolate, drinking chocolate and brownie baking kits!
17. View from the top of Signal Hill
Just a short 15 minute drive from the centre city is this hilltop lookout where you can see incredible and uninterrupted panoramic views of the city, Pacific Ocean coastline and Otago Harbour.
At the top there is also the Otago Centennial Memorial – a monument that commemorates the centenary of New Zealand becoming a British colony.
Driving is the best way to reach the lookout (there is a carpark) but if you are feeling energetic then you can mountain bike up, or do some steep uphill walking which will get you to the top in around 1-1.5 hours!
18. Otago farmers market
Held every Saturday morning, this authentic farmers market located in thenorthern carpark at Dunedin Railway Station has 75 vendors selling local produce, with live music entertainment and cooking demonstrations!
Stalls sell a range of delicious foods including fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, baked goods, cheese and artisan products, as well as freshly roasted coffee and breakfast / brunch items.
19. Visit Port Chalmers
Located a 15 minute drive northeast of Dunedin’s city centre is this historic harbour village with a thriving creative community. Many of the old boarding houses and stables of the late 1800s have been transformed into bars, cafes, restaurants and independent shops.
Other things to check out in Port Chalmers include the Maritime Museum and the Orokonui Ecosanctuary – an ecological island wildlife reserve. There is also a biannual Seafood Festival in Port Chalmers with fresh seafood stalls, cooking demonstrations and live music.
If you do not have your own transport then you can take the local bus to Port Chalmers from Dunedin city which will take roughly half an hour.
20. Sea kayaking inOtago Peninsula
If you are a fan of water sports, then don’t miss the chance to cruise amongst Dunedin’s coastal wildlife – this is one of the best things to do in Dunedin if you love your kayaking!.
There are a few companies that run guided tours around the beautiful Otago Peninsula. Double sea kayaks are normally used and they state that no sea kayaking experience is needed. Check out Wild Earth Adventures and Eden Wildlife Cruises & Sea kayaking tours.
Our final thing to do in Dunedin…
21. Take the train from Dunedin Railway Station
The famous and historic Taieri Gorge Railway offers scenic railway journeys thatdepart daily from Dunedin’s railway station.
There are two different trips that you can book – The Inlander runs between Dunedin and Hindon, through landscapes of hills and gorges, bridges and tunnels, pastureland and forests.
The Seasider runs between Dunedin and Waitatiup the rugged Otago Coast north of Dunedin with views of the Pacific Coast.
The trips both last around 3 ½ hours each with full commentary, sightseeing stops and a licensed snack bar. There are open air viewing platforms at the ends of the carriages which are perfect for taking pictures. Click here to book on dunedinrailways.co.nz.
Where to stay in Dunedin – top accommodation
Backpacker:
On Top Backpackers / Hostel situated in the heart of Dunedin City, just a short walk from The Octagon. Rooms are a mix of female only and 6 and 8 bed mixed dorms, plus private single and double rooms.
Central Backpackers / Highly rated backpackers located close to Speight’s Brewery with communal lounge area and PS4s!
Manor House Backpackers/ Friendly hostel located in a converted 1920’s early colonial New Zealand house on a quiet street, just minutes from the city centre and the nearest supermarket. Facilities include a garden and BBQ area, and both dorms and private rooms are avaialable.
Flashpacker:
The Victoria Hotel / Located a 5-minute walk to The Octagon, this hotel has spacious studios and apartments with private balconies, plus 2 onsite restaurants.
Chapel Apartments / Luxury self-contained apartments in a converted old church! Located less than 5 minutes’ walk from The Octagon.
Hotel St Clair / This boutique beachfront hotel is located a 10 minute drive from central Dunedin, and some rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking St Clair’s beach!
New Zealand itineraries:
- Auckland to Wellington road trip – 7 day itinerary
- Wellington to Christchurch road trip – 7 day itinerary
- Christchurch to Queenstown road trip – 7 day itinerary
- Christchurch to Nelson drive itinerary – 8 day round trip
- Queenstown itinerary – the perfect 5 day itinerary
- Auckland to Rotorua 5 day round trip itinerary
- Auckland itinerary – perfect 1, 2 or 3 days in Auckland
Check out our other New Zealand blog posts:
- Ultimate New Zealand bucket list – top 50 things to do
- New Zealand travel tips for first-time visitors
- Things to do in Queenstown guide
- New Zealand travel tips for first-time visitors
- Top day trips from Auckland, New Zealand
- Top day trips from Queenstown, New Zealand
- The best New Zealand foods to try
- Steampunk HQ Gallery in Oamaru
- Milford Sound coach and cruise day trip, New Zealand
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