Dunedin Attractions

Spend a magical hour absorbing the atmosphere in the Theomin family's historic Dunedin home, Olveston.

OLVESTON

Spend an hour absorbing the atmosphere in the Theomin family's historic Dunedin home, Olveston. Be transported to an era of fine living, grace and style. 

Olveston Website
Amazing variety of landscapes as you travel from Dunedin city centre to the rugged mountain interior of Central Otago and back.

TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY

Enjoy an amazing variety of landscapes as you travel from Dunedin city centre to the rugged mountain interior of Central Otago and back.

Taieri Train website
Tairoa Head is the World’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Northern Albatross colony.

ROYAL ALBATROSS COLONY

Tairoa Head is the World’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Northern Albatross colony.

Royal Albatross website
Conquer Baldwin Street authenticated as the World’s Steepest Street.

BALDWIN STREET

Conquer Baldwin Street authenticated as the World’s Steepest Street.

Baldwin Street website
A cruise on the Monarch will enable you to view what cannot be seen from land.

MONARCH WILDLIFE TOURS

A cruise on the Monarch will enable you to view what cannot be seen from land. See a fascinating array of ocean birds and marine mammals all in their natural environment.

Monarch website
See, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers and discover how Speights’s became ‘The Pride of the South

SPEIGHTS BREWERY

See, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers and discover how Speights’s became ‘The Pride of the South

Speights Website
Discover a magnificent collection of treasures from around the world.

OTAGO MUSEUM

Discover a magnificent collection of treasures from around the world.  Experience hands on science at its best in DISCOVERY WORLD and experience Otago’s Natural and Cultural Wealth. Highly Recommended attraction.

Museum Website
Discover what makes Otago different at the Otago Settlers Museum.

OTAGO SETTLER’S MUSEUM

Discover what makes Otago different at the Otago Settlers Museum.  Like our original settlers, the museum has a colourful and interesting history.

Settlers Museum Website
Conservation reserve for the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguins.

PENGUIN PLACE

Conservation reserve for the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguins. 

Penguin Place Website
Significant plant collections in a serene setting of mature trees, sunlit lawns and hill views.

BOTANIC GARDEN

Significant plant collections in a serene setting of mature trees, sunlit lawns and hill views.

Botanic Garden Website
Traditional Chinese Gardens. A quiet tranquil haven in authentic Shanghai style.

CHINESE GARDEN

Traditional Chinese Gardens. A quiet tranquil haven in authentic Shanghai style. Nestled between Railway station and Toitu.

Chinese Garden Website
A short sharp climb reveals one of Dunedin's treasures.

TUNNEL BEACH

A short sharp climb reveals one of Dunedin's treasures.  A hidden beach accessed through a hand carved tunnel will delight. And it's free.

Tunnel Beach Website
Hidden away on the north side of the Peninsula facing out to the Pacific Ocean.

SANDFLY BAY

Hidden away on the north side of the Peninsula facing out to the Pacific Ocean. A haven for seals. A great walk. No sandflies. The "sand flys" from prevailing winds and blows up the hills.

Sandfly Bay Website
Home to endangered birds. Tallest tree in New Zealand.

OROKONUI

An eco-sanctuary established in 2007. Home to endangered birds. Tallest tree in New Zealand. A big area, takes several hours to explore, but has a neat cafe for a quick visit.

Orokonui Website
Open only on Sundays from 12 to 4. Full of working steam-powered machinery from the turn of the century.

GAS WORKS MUSEUM

Open only on Sundays from 12 to 4. Full of working steam-powered machinery from the turn of the century. An industrial wonderland.

Gas Works Website
Rated by Lonely Planet as one of the best rides in the world.

CYCLE TOURISM

Limber up for the rail trail with some spectacular rides around the Dunedin area. Rated by Lonely Planet as one of the best rides in the world.

Rail Trail Website
Dunedin was the launching point for New Zealand's gold rush in 1861.

OTAGO GOLD TRAIL

Dunedin was the launching point for New Zealand's gold rush in 1861. Try your luck in the public fossicking creeks. The local rivers still hold many secrets.

Gold Searching Website

ART GALLERY

A nationally significant collection of artworks.

Art Gallery Website
Larnach Castle is perched high on the volcanic spur of the Otago Peninsula.

LARNACH CASTLE

Larnach Castle is perched high on the volcanic spur of the Otago Peninsula, looking across the bay to Dunedin and out across the Pacific. The castle and grounds are an inimitable part of Otago history and a worthy stop in exploring the Otago Peninsula.

Larnach Castle Website

MOVIES

Enjoy a movie on the large flat screen TV. Stream from the massive catalogue. Watch a movie when YOU want to. TVs series have gotten better recently: Vikings, Peaky Blinders, Longmire. 

TRAMPING

Need some exercise? Sample tramping. The views from the hills  around Dunedin  can be rewarding. Try the Pineapple Track, a steep climb up Mt Flagstaff, 668m. The Nichol’s Falls track climbs up Swampy Summit, 739m. Nichol’s Falls hosts glow worms, a favourite local attraction in the early days of Dunedin. Bethune’s Valley track leads up Mt Cargill to the television tower at 680m.

Dunedin Walks Website

SURFING

Dunedin has some terrific surf breaks. The uncrowded waves are very cool. Cut loose on a virgin break, or just try standing up again, unseen. There's Blackhead Quarry, Warrington (for the kids), St Clair, Murdering Bay (Awesome name and you need to be brave), Aramoana, Long Beach, Brighton, Allens Beach. Wetsuits likely essential.