9 minute read
Dunedin Must-Do's
UNIQUE
The Octagon
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This eight-sided plaza occupies the very heart of Dunedin. From this focal point, the city disperses outward and the main street cuts straight through the middle.
The World’s Steepest Street
After Wales briefly stole the title in 2019, Baldwin Street has since been re-crowned the world’s steepest street. Take a pack of jaffas and race them down the hill!
Harbour Mouth Molars
Sandwiched between the road and the water, this relatively unknown spectacle features six 2.5-metre-tall teeth! Created from limestone by Wellington artist Regan Gentry.
FOOD AND DRINK
Speight's Brewery Tour
Passionate guides are animated and informative, detailing the history of Speight’s over 75 beer-licious minutes. Generous tastings and multiple tours per day make this an easy choice.
Emerson’s Brewery
With four tours per day, witness every step of the brew process, check out the state-of-the-art 5000 litre brewery and sample the results on a 45 to 60-minute tour. There's also a modern on-site brew bar serving food, drinks and seasonal brews.
Otago Farmers’ Market
Dunedin Railway Station hosts the city’s much-loved market every Saturday morning from 8am-12:30pm.
OCHO Chocolate Factory
When the Cadbury factory closed, OCHO was born from crowd funding and a passion for making chocolate. Pop in for a free, informal tour (summer only) and tasting sessions.
Mornington
A fantastic suburb for foodies, 30 minutes on foot from The Octagon. Make a beeline for Grid Coffee and Good Food Co. and the Patti's & Cream Scoop Shop for unique ice-cream flavours such as 'London Fog' (Earl Grey).
Eat Haggis
As well as a great pint, real ales and plenty of single malted whiskey, cosy Albar serves traditional Scottish fare such as haggis.
New New New Brewery
Located in an 1860s tram stable, the industrial decor is modern in comparison but still retro – channelling a distinctly 80s vibe. Beer flavours, such as the smoked eel stout, are inventive while the food menu combines Asian street food and classic American tucker.
The Press Club
An ode to Dunedin's original hangout for editors and publishers in the 1870s, and part of the Fable Hotel, this elegant space is popular for cocktails, High Tea and fine dining.
Bay Road Peanut Butter
This highly addictive spread has a nationwide following. With brand new premises for 2022, the factory and café will reopen to serve a mighty delicious piece of toast.
Tītī
Claiming an exceptional position above the sea in St. Clair (15-minutes from the CBD) this restaurant is making head waves for its upscale menu in a refreshingly down-to-earth environ.
Dunedin Craft Distillers
Remarkably, the spirits brewed here are fermented from waste bread and bakery products. Created by two Dunedin women (with no previous distilling background!), highlights include gin and chocolate vodka. Visit the new premise on Roberts Street.
CULTURE INJECTION
Dunedin Railway Station
With mosaic floors, Flemish Renaissance-style architecture and immaculate gardens, Dunedin Railway Station is more palace than transport hub. Please note at the time of print the exterior was undergoing renovation.
Coastal Railway Rides
Take a world-class train journey with The Inlander and The Victorian rail excursions. Departing the historic Dunedin Railway Station, visit the quirky cool town of Ōamaru or chug through the spectacular Taieri Gorge. Both offer culture packed day trips.
Theatre
Swing by Globe Theatre for quality drama and Regent Theatre in the Octagon for opera. Or time your visit for a big event at the impressive Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
An absolutely stunning space that impresses from the foyer. Architecturally beautiful, modern exhibitions change regularly. In the heart of The Octagon.
The Blue Oyster Project Space
Packed with contemporary experimental art projects, this is the largest space of its kind in Otago and Southland. It’s free and centrally located, at 16 Dowling Street.
The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra
Keep an eye on the calendar of performances at Hanover Hall. A historic venue with supreme acoustics, the orchestra is world-class.
Live Music
Many of the city’s lively pubs feature local bands and touring musicians. The Crown, Dog with Two Tails, the Craic, Ombrellos and Dive all regularly host gigs.
HISTORY
Otago Museum
Find a world-class collection of exhibits covering every worldly topic. Move between interactive science experiments to the planetarium and Animal Attic. There are seven free galleries and a handful that incur a fee. The extensive Māori and early European collections are exceptional.
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
How did a Scottish community come to thrive in Otago? This museum covers everything from their gruelling journey to how Scottish daub cottages were built – and lots more. Free entry.
Olveston Historic House
This perfectly preserved mansion is frozen in all its 20th century glory. Built in 1906, the house is a time capsule of fine art and furnishings. The one-hour tour is as close to stepping back in time as you’ll get.
Larnach Castle
New Zealand’s only castle was built in 1871. Overlooking Otago Peninsula, visitors can explore the tower, ballroom and a wealth of antique furnishings. The grounds are a Garden of International Significance and there’s overnight accommodation too. Twenty minutes from Dunedin.
Dunedin Gasworks Museum
There are only three preserved gasworks museums in the world and this is one of them. Learn all about early engineering via the running boiler and working steam engines, then take a black-smithing lesson.
Port Chalmers Regional Maritime Museum
Stories of those who influenced the area over the years are housed in a beautifully kept 1877 stone post office building, 20 minutes’ drive from Dunedin.
BEACHES
St Clair Beach
Go from the city to the seaside in less than 10 minutes. This small but spritely promenade overlooks a simply stunning golden beach, perennially flecked by surfers. A huddle of cafés congregates at one end and an open-air pool with heated saltwater stands at the other.
Karitane Beach
Just 35 minutes from Dunedin, this is a lovely little seaside settlement, with a golden beach and plenty of challenging waves for the experienced surfer.
Waikouaiti
Neighbouring Karitane is a coastal town once intended to be Otago’s main settlement. It’s popular for swimming and surf casting.
Doctor’s Point
Here, see some immense rock arches; super cool to walk through. Located in Blueskin Bay, they are only visible at low tide and connect one beach to another.
WALKS AND CYCLING
Dunedin Street Art Trail
It's hard to miss Dunedin's giant walls of artwork, by both domestic and international artists. To hunt out all 30+ pieces, pop into the Dunedin iSITE for a map.
City Walks
Dunedin has more Edwardian and Victorian heritage buildings than any other city in the southern hemisphere. Take a tour with City Walks and delve into history. One walk focuses on the stunning central city architecture, another winds its way through the revitalised Vogel Street.
Writers’ Walk
This self-led writers' walk features a series of brass plaques embedded into the pavement, bearing a quote about Dunedin by a published writer. Found in and around The Octagon.
Literary Walking Tours
Formally recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, this weekly writers' walk details the city's iterature by visiting various places of poetic interest. Every Sunday at 2pm from the Dunedin i-SITE.
The Pineapple Track
So called because in the 1920s a local grocer led guided walks here while also providing a snack of tinned pineapple. High above the tree line this two-hour hike affords fabulous views of the city and Taieri Plains.
OCHO Chocolate Walk
A guided, 90-minute walk through Dunedin's most prominent areas, finishing with a tasting session at OCHO chocolate factory. Thursday to Saturday, leaving the i-SITE at 1pm.
Cycle the Loop
A safe, purpose-built cycle trail from inner Dunedin. Cycle up the west harbour and past Port Chalmers to Aramoana sandspit then complete the loop by catching the Port to Port cycle ferry. Stop often to take in the view, grab a bite to eat, explore a beach or enjoy a picnic. The total 54km route is due for completion in 2021.
NATURE AND GARDENS
Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve
One hour from Dunedin and named after a 19th century Māori chief, this windswept crag boasts the southern hemisphere’s only mainland colony of albatross.
Dunedin Botanic Garden
New Zealand’s first botanic garden is a Garden of International Significance, covering 65 hectares at the northern end of the city.
George Street Orchard
This inner-city oasis has over thirty species of fruiting trees, shrubs and vines. Budding gardeners get George Street’s best gardening secrets when they take a tour.
Dunedin Chinese Garden
Crafted using traditional techniques, this is the only authentic Chinese garden in the southern hemisphere and an example of a late Ming, early Ching Dynasty Scholar’s Garden design.
Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
A Garden of National Significance with panoramic harbour views, mature trees and plenty of flowers. The Glenfalloch Café & Restaurant has recently been spruced up.
Wylde Willow Garden
Follow the creek through mature woodland and wander to century-old willow trees. This two-acre parkland proudly hosts heritage roses and is a Garden of National Significance.
Larnach Castle Gardens
Larnach Castle © DunedinNZ
In the summer months you can enjoy high tea on the lawn overlooking an array of bright, floral blooms in this Garden of International Significance.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Surrounding 307 hectares, a predator-free fence protects multiple species of plants and animals. Explore the sanctuary by yourself or join a guided walking tour.
Sinclair Wetlands
Internationally-renowned wetlands 50km south of Dunedin city, flush with water-loving birds and with several easy, short trails around it. Or bring your kayak; all non-powered boats are allowed on the water. A dreamy day out.
SHOPPING
Meridian Mall, Wall Street Mall and Golden Centre
A dynamic and interlinked retail hub in the CBD with specialty shops and brand stores.
Boutique Stores
Discover a variety of small shops within strolling distance of the Octagon. Vintage lovers shouldn’t miss Two Squirrels; Finders Keepers is a trove of unique jewellery and Granny Annie’s Sweet Shop is exactly as it sounds – delightfully nostalgic.
Dunedin Fashion
Pick up a one-off designer piece or something a little different at one of Dunedin’s unique fashion labels, such as Mild Red, Charmaine Reveley, NOM*D and Company of Strangers.
The Octagon
This eight-sided plaza occupies the very heart of Dunedin. From this focal point, the city disperses outward and the main street cuts straight through the middle.
Octagon, Dunedin © DunedinNZ
