Places to visit in Dunedin

The Royal Albatross Centre fairly boasts of being one of the best places in Dunedin to visit as it is an exclusive observatory where you get to see the entire breeding cycle of the giant albatross from courting to raising huge flabby chicks.

The centre is the only mainland breeding colony of the royal albatross in the world. Taking a guided tour inside the observatory you can get to learn into the private lives of these beautiful birds on the nature reserve.

Location: 1260, Harrington Point Road, Dunedin 9077, New Zealand

Timings: Everyday 10.15am- 9.15pm

Entry fee: (117-142) $ for family (2 adults and up to 3 children of school age), (52- 62) $ for adults and (15-20) $ for children (under 16 years). Free for children up to 5 years.

Known to be the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street has proclaimed a Guinness World Record. The street is home to many up market houses and homes and is considered to be the poshest colony of the area.

The way towards the road will need you to climb uphill using your vehicles or on foot, however, once you reach the top of the street, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the whole city.

Location: North Road to Buchanan Street 

One of the most popular places in Dunedin which calls for a complete sea vacation with stunning coastal views, rugged cliffs, crashing waves and vibrant landscape. To get the most of the pristine beach, you must visit the place during low tide.

The rugged cliffs formed by layers of rock and fossils embedded on the rock walls create a natural graffiti like façade wherever you set your eyes on.

Location: Otago 9012, New Zealand

The museum fairly boasts of being the only biocultural science centre of the world which makes it one of the best places in Dunedin to visit. The Otago Museum has a rich display of 1.5 million objects across its seven galleries related to nature, culture and science.

As you go through the galleries you will get to see suits of a Kiribati armour, gold currencies of different countries, a sky bridge and many other things that take you back to the bygone eras. 

Location: 419 Great King Street North, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: Sunday- Saturday from 10am -5pm

Entry fee: adults 15$, children (3-18) years 10$, concession (student/seniors/ friends of Otago Museum/Tumhara annual pass holders) 12$, family ( 2adults and up to 4 children) 40$

It is probably the only place in Dunedin which gives you comprehensive insight about the local history of Dunedin from the earliest settlers to those who have arrived recently. The galleries of the museum feature interactive displays with state-of-art visuals and coherent narratives. No food or drink are allowed inside the museum.

Location: 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: Open all round the year from 10am- 5pm except on 25th December.

This is New Zealand's first botanic garden which holds a 6-star Garden of International Excellence status. Spreading over 30.4 hectares, the botanic garden is a must visit place in Dunedin for its spectacular hill view and conservation of 6,800 flora and a number of rare species of birds.

An important aspect of this Botanic Garden is its conservation of rare and endangered species of plants that have been collected from North Asia, Southern Africa, the Himalayas and the Mediterranean.

Location: Cnr &, Great King Street North, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: Everyday between 6am- 7pm. Information Centre and shop timings are between 10am- 4pm, winter garden glass house timings are between 10am- 4pm, Alpine house timings are between 9am- 4pm and Croque-O- Dile cafe timings are between 9.30am- 4.30pm

Octagon, the city centre of Dunedin is an eight-sided plaza with a one-way carriage path which is bisected by George Street. Being located centrally at downtown Dunedin, the Octagon is the focal point of a few attractions of the city namely- Dunedin Public Library, Anglican Cathedral, Dunedin Town Hall, multiplexes, cafes and bars.

In a nutshell Octagon is the best place to visit in Dunedin and have to touch down a number of places within a short time.

Location: Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

It is a prime destination for lovers of art, history and heritage. All Western historic homes were gifted to the Dundenites in 1966. It is a 35 room Edwardian mansion with a “Garden of National Significance” within the city's Green Belt.

Time has little changed the original contents of the mansion as it was occupied as a family residence. You can enter into the premises of the house only by 1 hour guided tour which allows 15 people in a group. 

Location: 42 Royal Terrace, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: Sunday- Saturday from 9.30am- 5pm

Entry fee: Adults 24$, concessions 22$ (NZ seniors, YZA, Backpackers or Tertiary students), Dunedin Residents 19$, children 13$ (above 5 years), children below 5 have free entry. Entry to the gardens and gift shop is free.

Settled quaintly between the Hayward Point and Taiaroa Head, Otago Harbour stretches for 5 nautical miles up to Port Chalmers. It further extends for 7 nautical miles till it touches the city of Dunedin. In a minutes' tour you can cross from one side of the harbour to the other and enjoy the stunning seascape on your way.

Your guide will give you detailed commentary about the history and volcanic nature of the region as well as other important facts. End your day trip by refreshing yourself at a local cafe or restaurant on the opposite side of the harbour.

Location: 837 Portobello Road, Portbello, Dunedin 9014, New Zealand

Dunedin Public Art Gallery was established in 1884 as New Zealand’s first art gallery which retains its fame still today for its rich collection of historical paintings. The collections of Claude, Gainsborough, Machiavelli, Tissot, Derain and Turner feature in the galleries that you can see in a guided tour.

For lovers of art and culture Dunedin Public Art Gallery is one of the best places in Dunedin which offers an array of events such as floor talks, film screening, workshops, lectures and workshops.

Location- 30 Octagon, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings- Sunday-Saturday from 10am- 5pm

Located at the proximity to downtown Dunedin, Saint Clair Beach is a perfect hidey-hole for beach lovers. You can enjoy a beach walk along the well paved promenade and watch a stunning sunset or let the cool sea breeze caress on your face.

The beach is one of the best places in Dunedin for surfers who want to propel against the aggressive sea waves in a surfing board.

Location- Dunedin 9012 New Zealand

Timings- Monday to Friday 6am -7pm and Saturday and Sunday 7am -7pm

Orokonui Sanctuary offers both guided and self-guided walking tours amidst New Zealand’s native cloud forest. In a one-hour Orokonui highlights tour you will come across grasslands and regenerating forests that are inhabited by Otago Skinks, Korimako and other fauna.

If you are a hardcore wildlife buff, take a 2 hours’ Forest explorer Tour and tread into the core forest area. You will get to see rare species of birds and plants in this trip to one of the best places in Dunedin.

Location: 600 Blueskin Road, Dunedin 9081, New Zealand

Timings: Sunday-Saturday from 9:30am- 4:30pm Tuesday and Wednesday are closed

Entry fee: Starts from 20$ for adults, 10$ for children (below 18 years) and for family (2 adults and 3 children) 48$.

Located in the heart of Dunedin with mountains and forest as a backdrop the Lan Yuan garden gives you an insight of Dunedin’s culture, heritage, art and history. One visit is never sufficient to explore the facades of the garden which was built with an objective to celebrate Chinese heritage.

In every season the Chinese Garden changes its vistas and hidden corners to surprise you with a different look every time you visit. You can enjoy a picnic, relax or simply soak up the undisturbed ambiance of the place. In every way it is one of the rewarding places to visit in Dunedin.

Location: 39 Queens Gardens, Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: 10am – 4pm

Entry fee: adults 10$, children (under 13 years with an adult) free entry, student/beneficiary 7$, adult annual pass 22$, adult annual pass renewal 20$

It is a private conservation project which aims at conserving the world's most endangered Yellow Eyed Penguin and a noteworthy place to visit in Dunedin. On a guided tour through a network of trenches and hides you can watch penguins from a close proximity.

It is the only wildlife refuge in the world which is funded by the visitors. Here not only endangered penguins are restored but injured, starving and sick ones are also rehabilitated.

Location: 45 Pakihau Road, Portobello, Harington Point 9077, New Zealand

Timings: Summer tour from October-March and winter tour from April-September from 10:15am- 6:15pm. Duration of each tour is approximately 90 mins.

Entry fee: for adults 55$, children (5-17) years 16$ and family pass (2 adults and max 3 children) 120$. Children under 5 years have free entry.

True to its name you will have a pleasant rendezvous with an array of wild animals in their natural habitat at Nature’s Wonders. It is one of the best places in Dunedin which is home to New Zealand Fur Seals, Blue Penguins, Albatross, Yellow Eyed Penguins and various birds with their offspring round the year.

If you are looking for a rustic wildlife experience go for an 8 wheelers’ agro-tour or by a coach to the wildlife capital of New Zealand.

Location: 1265 Harington Point Road, Taiaroa Head, Dunedin 9077, New Zealand

Timings: Everyday between 10am- 6pm

Gigantic sand dunes descending onto a beach, surging waves lashing against the rocky shore and a virgin, windswept beach, all these make Sandfly Bay one of the best places in Dunedin to go for a daytrip.

The sight of sea lions and yellow eyed penguins basking in the sun is no less than a visual treat for the first-time visitors.

Location: Seal Point Road, Sandymount 9077, New Zealand

Located at the heart of Dunedin city, St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the most highlighted places in Dunedin you should visit on your trip. The church was built sometime in between 1862-63 and still stands as an insignia of 18th century architecture.

The church has a glorious history of church music with its globally famed choir who maintain a wide repertoire and very high standard of rendition. The organ used for church choir is a highly amplified one with more than 3,500 pipes and is used for community purposes.

Location: 228 Stuart Street, Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

Timings: Everyday between 10am- 2pm, Thursdays (10am-2pm), (5:30-6:30) pm and Sundays (7:45am- 2pm) and (6:30pm- 8pm)

This is Dunedin’s hidden gem which gives you an opportunity to encounter sea lions and penguins in their natural habitat. Twitchers can have a great time on the beach and spot some rare species of birds.

If you are lucky enough you may also get to see the Oyster Catcher- a coastal bird which makes a long piping noise as it runs around in search of food. Don’t forget to watch a magnificent sunset on your way back from Allans Beach Road.

Location: Otago, New Zealand

For nature and adventure lovers, Mount Cargill is one of the foremost places to visit in Dunedin which shrouds over a part of its skyline. Hike along the connecting rough pathways that lead to the summit of Mount Cargill offering a stunning view of the landscape.

The rainforest at the base of the hillock is teeming with rare species of birds. If you want to explore further, you can visit the Organ Pipe and Bethune’s Gully.

Location: Cluny St, Normanby, Dunedin, Dunedin 9010 New Zealand

While preparing a bucket list of the places to visit in Dunedin, don’t miss Victory Beach in your trip. Shimmering sandy realm spreading across 3 kilometres separating the sea from volcanic pyramids and dotted with frayed grasslands is a peaceful shelter to native animals of the locality.

Take time to walk up to the top of the pyramids that lay at 15-20 minutes’ walking distance from the carpark area. You can spot New Zealand sea lions and furls basking in the sun on the beach. Sometimes blue and yellow-eyed penguins are also found in relaxing gestures on the sand dunes.

Location: Okia Flat 9077, New Zealand

Dunedin Glass Museum is one of the best places in Dunedin which is a World Heritage Site and New Zealand’s first and last gasworks functional from 1863-1987. It is also one of the three last preserved gasworks museums in the world.

In this old gas brick complex, you will get to see original gas steam plants run by the volunteers right next to the Countdown Supermarket. From the friendly informative staff, you will learn about a town that ran on gas produced from coal and pumped to the residences of the town.

Location- 20 Braemar Street Look for the Large Brick Chimney, Dunedin 9012 New Zealand

Timings- Sunday open from (12-4) pm.

Entry fee- Individual adult fee is 5$ and children below 12 years are free.