Top 10 Things To Do in Dunedin

A visit to the Dunedin Railway station is an essential item on any Dunedin tour itinerary, the building is magnificent and an architectural icon of the city.  Explore the railway station building itself or jump aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway for an excursion around the region. The iconic building features an expansive mosaic floor and a one-kilometre-long platform. The building's Flemish-renaissance style architecture is very impressive, built in the early 1900's when Dunedin was a primary commercial centre of New Zealand, no trip to Dunedin is complete without a visit to Dunedin Railway station.

Otago Museum is one of New Zealand's oldest and largest museums and is an obvious Dunedin attraction, and a highly rated one. The museum has a focus on natural history and houses an important collection of artefacts and fascinating, informative galleries and exhibitions related to culture, science and nature. A favourite is the Tūhura Science Centre which has 46 interactives including a three tier live butterfly experience. Otago Museum is centrally located, an easy 20-minute walk from The Octagon in the city centre, and also has free wifi, a café and a shop.

The only castle in New Zealand, Larnach Castle is famous for its scandalous and tragic history, and it's impressive master craftsmanship. Built by merchant baron and politician William Larnach in 1871 for his first wife, this iconic building offers a peek back in time into Victorian culture. The building has been restored and cared for by the Barker family who have owned the castle since 1967, it's restoration is funded through admission fees. Larnach Castle is decked out with period furniture and antiques and has spectacular views of Otago Peninsula. Learn all about the castle and the stories it holds on a Larnach Castle Tour.

The Otago Peninsula is renowned for its abundant yet fragile wildlife. Penguin Place is a private conservation reserve that works to save the endangered (and very cute) yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho). The project is fully funded through tourism and Penguin Place offers guided sightseeing tours to observe the rare yellow-eyed penguins going about their business in their natural habitat. During the walking tour, you are likely to see blue penguins, fur seals and native bird species and learn about them with the help of your knowledgeable guide. Tours take you through a beautiful native forest and regenerating wetlands and include a visit to the penguin rehabilitation facility.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Dunedin's Balwin St is the steepest residential street in the world. The Street is on a 35% slope that runs up the side of Signal Hill, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. There is even an annual Jaffa Race run by Cadbury whereby millions of sphere shaped chocolates go rolling down Baldwin Street in front of a massive crowd. It's a famous Dunedin event, and quite a site to see! Baldwin street is 100 meters long and starts at 30 metres (98 ft) above sea level and rises to 100 meters (330 ft) above sea level.

The Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is dedicated to telling the stories of the people of Dunedin and the local area.  This museum of social history features fourteen themed galleries with captivating, interactive displays covering the human history of the area through powerful stories about people from the early settlers to more recent migrants to the area. All of whom have contributed to the formation of the city of Dunedin through their various characters, culture, art, and innovation.  The Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is very highly rated and includes an on-site shop,café and research centre.

The Royal Albatross Centre is the only mainland albatross breeding ground in the world, so a visit here is a rare opportunity to see the legendary albatross with its wingspans of up to 3 metres. See them landing from their offshore journeys and watch them courting, nesting and raising their chicks. The experience is considered one of the most spectacular of nature's wonders and has been rated amongst the "1000 Ultimate Sights" by Lonely Planet. The Royal Albatross Centre is a renowned example of eco-tourism dedicated to the conservation of the local natural environment. It's located at Taiaroa Head at the end of the Otago Peninsula, about 45 minutes driving from Dunedin city. Limited numbers can access the observatory, so it's important to book tours in advance.

Some consider Tunnel Beach the most romantic spot in Dunedin.  The short walk to the beach takes you through private farmland to a secluded cove surrounded by sandstone cliffs, featuring a spectacular sandstone sea arch formation and sandstone boulders. The entrance to the beach is down a tunnel that was excavated by John Cargill, a son of Captain William Cargill in the 1870's so his family could swim in privacy.  The beach has a dangerous rip that killed one of Cargill's daughters. It's best to do the walk at low tide or access to the beach is limited.

Olveston Historic Home was built in the early 1900's for prominent businessman and philanthropist David Theomin, and his family. The family occupied the home until the death of the last surviving family member, David's daughter Dorothy in 1966. The home was then gifted to the city of Dunedin, and very little has changed inside the home since, offering an incredible insight into a bygone era. The 35-room Edwardian mansion, designed by architect Sir Ernest George, is fully furnished with furniture, fine art, and artefacts from all over the world and fitted with all the luxuries available at the time. The home is like a museum and an art gallery combined, every item tells a story as you will discover on the guided tour led the incredibly knowledgeable tour guides. Olveston sits on Dunedin's Green Belt and is an easy 20-minute walk from The Octagon in the central city.

The first botanic garden in New Zealand, Dunedin Botanic Garden holds prestigious accreditations from various international botanical societies, including the status of 6 Star Garden of International Significance. A fantastic place to enjoy the song of native birds like the tui and the bellbird. The garden has a significant New Zealand Native plant collection and makes an important contribution to the conservation of rare and endangered plant species. It has an extensive range of botanical collections including geographically ordered collections containing plants from North, South and Central America, Southern Africa, North Asia, the Mediterranean and the Himalayas. The garden is located to the north of the city and include glasshouses, an aviary, a cafe and a gift shop and admission to all public areas of the garden is free.