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Dunedin

Two words immediately spring to mind when Kiwis think of their seventh-largest city: 'Scotland' and 'students'. The 'Edinburgh of the South' is immensely proud of its Scottish heritage, never missing an opportunity to break out the haggis and bagpipes on civic occasions. In fact the very name Dunedin is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh – Dùn Èideann – and the city even has its own tartan.

Just like the Scots, Dunedin locals love a drink, and none more so than the students that dominate Dunedin in term time. The country’s oldest university provides plenty of student energy to sustain the local bars.

Dunedin is an easy place in which to while away a few days. Weatherboard houses ranging from stately to ramshackle pepper its hilly suburbs, and bluestone Victorian buildings punctuate the compact city centre. It's a great base for exploring the wildlife-rich Otago Peninsula, which officially lies within the city limits.

Explore Dunedin

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Dunedin.

  • House

    Olveston

    Although it's a youngster by European standards, this spectacular 1906 mansion provides a wonderful window into Dunedin's past. Entry is via fascinating…

  • Museum

    Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

    Storytelling is the focus of this excellent interactive museum, which traces the history of human settlement i

  • Museum

    Otago Museum

    The centrepiece of this august institution is Southern Land, Southern People, showcasing Otago’s cultural and physical past and present, from geology and…

  • Landmark

    Baldwin Street

    This street proudly held the title of steepest street in the world until July 2019, when Ffordd Pen Llech in the Welsh town of Harlech was officially…

  • Historic Building

    Dunedin Railway Station

    Featuring mosaic-tile floors and glorious stained-glass windows, Dunedin’s striking bluestone railway station (built between 1903 and 1906) claims to be…

  • Church

    St Paul’s Cathedral

    Even in Presbyterian Dunedin, the 'established church' (aka the Church of England) gets the prime spot on The Octagon. A Romanesque portal leads into the…

  • Brewery

    Emerson's Brewery

    This impressive brick-and-glass structure is the flash home of Emerson's, the microbrewery founded by local-boy-made-good Richard Emerson in 1992. Forty…

  • Historic Building

    University of Otago

    Founded in 1869, the University of Otago is NZ's oldest. Today the university is home to some 21,000 students, and is well worth a wander, with many…

  • Gallery

    Dunedin Public Art Gallery

    Gaze upon local and international art – including a small collection of Impressionists – at this expansive and airy gallery. Only a fraction of the…

  • Gardens

    Dunedin Botanic Garden

    Dating from 1863, these 30 hectares of peaceful, grassy and shady green space include rose gardens, rare natives, a rhododendron dell, an exotic bird…

  • Museum

    Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery

    This oddball collection of skulls, body bits, ethnographic art and beautiful bone sculptures has been assembled by local mural artist and sculptor Bruce…

  • Brewery

    Speight’s Brewery

    Speight’s has been churning out beer on this site since the late 19th century and is the oldest operating brewery in NZ. The 60-minute tour gives an…

  • Church

    First Church of Otago

    Dunedin's original Scottish settlers founded Otago's first Presbyterian congregation upon their arrival in 1848 and built this grand church 25 years later…

  • Church

    Knox Church

    Dunedin's second grand Presbyterian church sprang up in 1876, only three years after the equally imposing First Church, and quickly became an emblem of…

  • Gardens

    Dunedin Chinese Garden

    Built to recognise the contribution of Dunedin's Chinese community, this walled garden was constructed in Shanghai before being dismantled and reassembled…

  • Gallery

    Otago Art Station

    Showcases work by members of the Otago Art Society, with changing temporary exhibitions in the main gallery and works for sale in the shop. Pieces donated…

  • Museum

    New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame

    At the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame you can try to match bike-champ Karen Holliday’s average speed of 45.629km/h, or check out the high-stepping style…

  • Church

    St Joseph’s Cathedral

    Completed in 1886, Dunedin's bluestone Gothic-revival Catholic cathedral sits halfway up the hill above the town centre.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Dunedin.

  • Activities