Dunedin - Things to do

Today Dunedin is filled with culture, food, fashion, architecture, arts and students. Home to one of New Zealand’s largest universities The University of Otago, has around 25,000 students who add a vibrancy to the city.

Dunedin offers a wide range of exciting things to see and do. From impressive architecture and wildlife to fantastic restaurants and shops. The Octagon is lined with several tourist attractions including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, bars, many with outdoor seating and live entertainment. Dunedin Railway Station is also a must see for its elegant architecture as are many other noteworthy buildings around the city.

Museums

Otago Museum - Opened in 1868, the museum is known for its Maori and Pacific Island collections, its natural history display (including yellow-eyed penguins and a reconstruction of the extinct moa) and its hands-in science centre. Included in the museum is the Tropical Forest, a three-story high enclosure full of live butterflies. A great day out for the family and kids.

Otago Settlers Museum - This is one of the finest social history museums in the country, portraying the life and times of Maori and European settlers arrival right through to modern times. There’s also a transport gallery and an interesting guided walking tour.

Other Activities

Baldwin Street - is in the Guinness Book of Records as being the steepest street in the world.   35% gradient = 1:2.86  It is a very invigorating walk to the top on a cold day. Only about a ten minute walk but you can sure feel it. The street's steepness was unintentional, as with many other parts of Dunedin, and indeed New Zealand, streets were laid out in a grid pattern with no consideration for the terrain, usually by planners in London.

The street is the venue for an annual event in Dunedin, the "Baldwin Street Gutbuster" an exercise in fitness and balance involves athletes running from the base of the street to the top and back down again. Since 2002, a further charity event has been held annually in July, which involves the rolling 10,000 Jaffas down the street.

Cadbury Chocolate Factory - Located in the centre of Dunedin city, Cadbury World Dunedin is a working chocolate factory where you can sample and purchase Cadbury products and much more. Learn about the history of Cadbury and chocolate through the ages then take a fun filled and fascinating guided tour around the Cadbury Dunedin chocolate factory and sample Cadbury product along the way!

The experience begins with a display on the origins of chocolate and the associated industry, with lots of fascinating insights from human sacrifices to the favored drink of the nobility, and much more. Don't miss the chance to try a cocoa bean in its raw form. The tour highlight is to witness a tonne of melted chocolate fall through a deep silo before your very eyes.

Otago Peninsula, Dunedin - The Otago Peninsula, stretching along the southern edge of the Otago harbour is an easy scenic drive from central Dunedin. The Otago Peninsula is one of New Zealand's most renowned eco tourism areas. There are unique opportunities to view a remarkable range of wildlife including Royal Albatross, rare yellow-eyed penguins a variety of seals, water and wading birds. Explore Otago Peninsula's well preserved, colourful history. Larnach Castle, Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and the Disappearing Gun are highlights of any visit to the Otago Peninsula.

Gardens

Three of the four of New Zealand’s Gardens of National Significance are located in Dunedin City. 

Dunedin's Botantical Gardens - Established in 1863 and moved to its present site in 1867, the Dunedin Botanic Gardens is New Zealand’s first Botanic Garden and is internationally recognised for its excellence as a public garden as well its botanical collections. The world renowned Rhododendron Dell and the New Zealand Native Plant collection are set amongst wild native forest.  The aviary displays native parrots and you can hear wild native birds as you sit on a sunny lawn overlooking nearby rural hills.  

Glenfalloch Woodland Garden - located in Russell Bay on the Otago Peninsula offers rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and fuchsias set in a natural glen.

Larnach Castle - Set high on the hills of the Otago Peninsula is Larnach Castle and its splendid garden, reflecting over 40 years of dedication and hard work by its owners and staff.

The Dunedin Chinese Garden - Dunedin’s newest garden was opened in late 2008 and immediately became the recipient of acclaim and awards.  Built by The Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust, this is one of only three truly authentic gardens created outside China. The Dunedin Chinese Garden is an example of a late Ming, early Ching Dynasty Scholar's Garden, surrounded by a four metre perimeter wall. The Dunedin Chinese Garden uses authentic Chinese materials crafted by a team of artisans/craftsmen for Dunedin's sister city of Shanghai. In addition to the hand-made wooden buildings, the Garden features hand-made tiles, bricks and lattice-work and hand-finished granite paving stones.

To see more of things to do in Dunedin visit the tourism site www.dunedinnz.com