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dunedin regional information | back to regions & attractions

Dunedin is old Gaelic for Edinburgh, which is appropriate since the city was established by Scottish Presbyterian settlers. and was once the largest city in New Zealand. Its grand history can be seen in the marvelous 19th Century buildings today. It's a city that has a thriving student and arts culture with many bars, cafés restaurant and theatre options.

It's easy to learn about things in Dunedin. Apart from being New Zealand's first university city, it has an abundance of museums, galleries and heritage homes with amazing stories to tell. You can even discover the history of beer brewing at the Speights Brewery.

The city is also renowned for its proximity to incredible wildlife. Visits to see the world's rarest penguins, the world's only mainland breeding colony of the Royal albatross and rare New Zealand sealions are all possible within a short drive of the city centre.

For some suggested itineraries that include Dunedin, please click here.

top attractions

• Two of the city's stately homes are 15 minutes from the city. Glenfalloch is set in 12 hectares of woodland gardens and Larnach castle has battlements, a fairytale ballroom, beautiful carved ceilings and a tragic history. The Castle Ghost may even appear for you.
  
• Take a day trip to the vintage Taieri Gorge Limited train from Dunedin's grand Renaissance style station through the rugged scenery of Taieri Gorge.
  
• Drop into Speight's Brewery for a fine southern ale.
  
• Private gardens are open all year as is the excellent Botanic Garden and the Rhododendron Festival is in October.
  
• The Catlins Coast is a mysterious and desolately beautiful place and is home to the hoiho (extremely rare yellow-eyed penguin). At Curio Bay you can see the smallest and rarest of marine mammals, Hector's dolphin.
  
• If you're a keen sports person, visit the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame