Things to do in  Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula

Built in the late-19th century by William Larnach, Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle—although it’s actually a mock castle, as it was a home rather than a fortified battlement. It’s been beautifully refurbished, and the grounds are carefully tended. The views across the hills and water of the Otago Peninsula are some of the best in the area. A trip to Larnach Castle is a great way to spend a day if visiting Dunedin.

From Naseby and Ranfurly in the east to Cromwell and Arrowtown in the west, Central Otago is a sprawling alpine landscape known for winemaking and natural beauty. Spanning more than 3,800 miles (9,900 square kilometers) but with only 18,000 residents, this isolated, historical part of New Zealand is a great escape from the urban jungle.

Made of bluestone with marble floors and stained glass windows, the Dunedin Railway Station is one of Dunedin’s most impressive buildings and purportedly the most photographed in New Zealand. Far more than a railway station, here you can also grab something to eat, visit a sports museum, or photograph the attractive building.

The Royal Albatross Centre, within Dunedin city limits on the Otago Peninsula, is an ideal spot for nature viewing. The center is home to the only mainland breeding colony of these large birds in the world. Add a tour of the center to a day trip out to the peninsula—a must-do activity while in Dunedin.

The South Island city of Dunedin was designed in the 19th century using a grid system that took little account of the area’s hilly topography. This resulted in some very precipitous roads, including the famous Baldwin Street; not only is it Dunedin’s most sloping route, it is officially the steepest street in the world.

On the New Zealand’s South Island, a short drive from Dunedin, The OPERA (Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance), formerly Penguin Place, is a conservation reserve for the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin. It’s entirely funded through guided tours, so your visit will directly contribute to the birds’ preservation. In addition to bird sightings, the reserve offers beautiful views of Otago Harbour.

Olveston Historic Home, an unmissable Dunedin attraction, was constructed in the early 1900s and is still decorated as when it was built. The original owner collected unique items worldwide, making this not just a house but a museum. Visitors can view the interior and the large, beautiful gardens.

Right in the center of Dunedin city is the Octagon, an 8-sided plaza lined with cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs—and bustling with locals and visitors alike at all times of day. Enjoy a meal or a beer in the sunshine before taking in an exhibition at the Dunedin Art Gallery or heading to the Regent Theatre for a show.

Signal Hill is a 1,289-foot (393-meter) hill in North Dunedin with a lookout providing sweeping views over the city and Otago Harbour. As well as being a popular place to drive or walk up, Signal Hill is one of Dunedin’s premier destinations for mountain biking, with trails available for a range of experience levels.

Established in 1898, Toitῡ Otago Settlers Museum is New Zealand’s oldest history museum. Originally focusing on Otago’s 19th-century European settlers, the museum has since broadened its focus. The region now called Otago was settled by the Kāi Tahu people, and the stories told at the Toitῡ Otago Settlers Museum begin with them and follow the people of Otago over centuries.

The long Otago Harbour is a spectacular setting for Dunedin, a historic city that hums with young, student energy. It’s a perfect home base for exploring the Otago region. From here you can ride a historic railway, explore the University of Otago campus, spot penguins in the wild, and even visit New Zealand’s only castle.

The Taieri Gorge Railway isn’t just a way of getting from Dunedin to Pukerangi: It’s an experience. The train travels through the Central Otago landscape of hills, deep gorges, pastureland, and forests. It follows part of the historic Otago Central Railway route, constructed in the 19th century during Otago’s Gold Rush. Plus, it leaves from the beautiful neo-Gothic Dunedin Railway Station, a major Dunedin attraction.

The New Zealand Garden Trust classifies Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, as a Garden of National Significance. Established in 1871, the gardens are full of flowering trees, ferns, and a Matai tree that’s around 1,000-years-old. The gardens are a must-visit for keen gardeners and nature lovers to explore.

The hillside city of Dunedin is an important stop for cruise liners sailing around the South Island and the southernmost Dunedin Cruise Port serves as the gateway to this lively university town with Scottish roots. Use Dunedin Cruise Port as the jumping-off point for exploring the wider Otago Peninsula, a finger-like protrusion of land renowned for its marine wildlife, and more.

Dunedin’s St. Paul’s Cathedral is the “Mother Church” of the Anglican Diocese in Dunedin. It’s a landmark in the central-city Octagon and stands out–physically and philosophically–in Presbyterian-dominant Dunedin. The cathedral was first built in 1863, but the materials were poor, and the original design was never completed. What exists today was constructed throughout the 20th century.