Dunedin

Travel Guide
Dunedin featuring landscape views and farmland
With heritage architecture, buzzing nightlife and a pristine coastline, New Zealand’s “Edinburgh of the South” is a seaside city for all seasons.

Dunedin is a historic city nestled between a dormant volcano and the wild coastline of the Otago Peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island. Explore the city’s Scottish lineage through its heritage buildings, such as St. Pauls Cathedral and the Dunedin Railway Station. Then, discover the city’s natural beauty during a walk through the Dunedin Botanic Garden or the Glenfalloch Woodland Garden.

At the heart of Dunedin’s compact city center is The Octagon, a historic plaza that you can easily explore on foot. Enjoy the area’s lively pubs and bars, restaurants offering open-air dining, street performances and markets.Near to The Octagon you’ll find other iconic buildings, such as Speight's Brewery, Dunedin Town Hall, which is part of the Municipal Chambers, and the ornate First Church of Otago. Less than a mile (1.2 kilometers) away is the University of Otago. A five-minute walk from The Octagon will bring you to Cadbury World, New Zealand’s biggest chocolate factory. Enjoy a scenic 20-minute drive to Lanarch Castle, which was built in 1871 and offers high tea daily.

Head to the city’s southern coast for white-sand beaches and spectacular surf. Sample New Zealand’s fresh seafood and famous wines on the esplanade at St. Clair Beach.

Take a 45-minute drive along the scenic Otago Peninsula to the Royal Albatross Center. Sit back and enjoy the spectacle of these giant birds gliding into land at the world’s only mainland breeding ground for this species.

Dunedin’s seaside climate tends towards warm summers, while the city’s southern location makes for unpredictable winter days. Pack appropriately for the colder months, from June to August, but also include your swimming costume as you may want to join the thousands of brave people, often in fancy dress, who take part in the annual Dunedin Polar Plunge, a chilly beach swim.

Dunedin International Airport is located 18 miles (29 kilometers) southwest of the city and has regular flights between major cities in New Zealand and Australia. The city is easy to explore by public bus, bicycle or on foot, but watch out for the hills, especially at Baldwin Street it’s considered the world’s steepest residential street.

Where to stay in Dunedin

Dunedin which includes a pond, a park and heritage elements

Dunedin City Centre

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Dunedin City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to First Church of Otago or Grand Casino.

Dunedin City Centre
Otago Museum showing interior views

North Dunedin

Unique features of North Dunedin include the spas and gardens. Make a stop by Dunedin Botanic Garden or Otago Museum while you're exploring the area.

North Dunedin
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St. Clair

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to St. Clair. A stop by St. Clair Beach or St. Clair Golf Club might round out your trip.

St. Clair
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Portobello

While visiting Portobello, you might make a stop by sights like Lighthouse and Silver Peaks Reserve.

Portobello
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South Dunedin

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers enjoy South Dunedin for its restaurants and waterfront. Consider checking out Edgar Centre while you're in the area.

South Dunedin
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Port Chalmers

You'll enjoy the churches and waterfront in Port Chalmers. You might want to make time for a stop at Port Chalmers Museum or Holy Trinity Church.

Port Chalmers
Leviathan Heritage Hotel Dunedin
Leviathan Heritage Hotel Dunedin
2.5 out of 5
27 Queens Gardens, Dunedin
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$468 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
HK$468
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Toitu Otago Settlers Museum and First Church of Otago are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (389 reviews)
"Very loud fan in bathroom"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Leviathan Heritage Hotel Dunedin
Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
3.5 out of 5
10 Smith Street, Dunedin
The price is HK$772 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
HK$772
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (995 reviews)
"I loved it"

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2024

Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
The Victoria Hotel Dunedin
The Victoria Hotel Dunedin
4 out of 5
137 St Andrew Street Centre City, Dunedin
The price is HK$767 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
HK$767
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Fantastic service clean comfortable and quiet"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

The Victoria Hotel Dunedin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Woodlands Motels and Apartments
Woodlands Motels and Apartments
3.5 out of 5
594 Great King St, Dunedin
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Otago Museum and Dunedin Botanic Garden ...
8/10 Very Good! (387 reviews)
"So handy and close to everything!!"

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Woodlands Motels and Apartments
315 Euro Motel & Serviced Apartments
315 Euro Motel & Serviced Apartments
3.5 out of 5
315 George Street, Dunedin
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (644 reviews)
"Lovely property. Quiet even though in the middle of town. Good parking but walkable to almost everywhere. Staff were very helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2024

315 Euro Motel & Serviced Apartments
755 Regal Court
755 Regal Court
3.5 out of 5
755 George St, Dunedin
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Dunedin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Otago Museum and Olveston are located nearby. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (111 reviews)
Funky apartment. Great for family or two couples
"My wife and I stayed in the two-bedroom "family" apartment along with my brother and his wife. The apartment is large and the layout is quite funky. It is constructed on 3 levels with the entrance at the lowest level, the kitchen & living room on the next level, and the bedrooms and bath on the top ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

755 Regal Court
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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