10 Awesome Things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand for First-Timers

10 Things to Do in Dunedin

1. Admire the Beauty of Dunedin Railway Station

One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Dunedin is to check out the stunning Dunedin Railway Station. Its revived Flemish Renaissance architectural style, constructed with distinctive light and dark rocks, is unlike anything you have seen in New Zealand.

Dunedin Railway Station also has a rich history. Constructed in the early 20th century, the railway station used to be one of the country's busiest train stations, handling around 100 trains a day during the gold rush when Dunedin was the commercial and industrial center of the country.

Nowadays, the train station is mostly used for tourist trains, while much of the ground floor has been turned into restaurants and the upper floor is used by various national organizations. It is one of the prettiest buildings in the city, so make sure to go inside and see the beautiful mosaic floor and the stunning Gothic decor.

2. Stroll Around the Royal Botanic Garden

Established in 1863, the Royal Botanic Garden in Dunedin is considered the oldest botanical garden in New Zealand. Covering over 28 hectares, the garden is so big that it almost seems to go on forever when you walk around it.

Within the botanical garden, you will find all kinds of flora and fauna, with walkways crisscrossing around this green part of the city for you to stroll around. It sure was one great place to stroll around, as I found myself walking for more than an hour without realizing it.

There is a ton to see here, and I highly recommend you spare an hour or two to walk around and escape from the bustling city of Dunedin. The Royal Botanic Garden opens from 7 AM to 7 PM every day, and it is free to enter.

3. Run Up The Steepest Street In The World (Baldwin Street)

Did you know that one of the steepest streets in the world is located right here in Dunedin? The street is called Baldwin Street, a simple residential street just northeast of the city center.

Baldwin Street rises from 30m above sea level to over 100m above sea level in just 350m of length. The lower slope is moderately steep, whereas the middle to upper slope of 161m in length climbs over 47 meters vertically, creating a gradient of 35%! To put that into perspective, the average gradient of roads going up a mountain is only around 5-10%.

Although it may not look steep from the photo here, trust me, when you try to compete with your friends and run up the street as I did, you will know right away why the street is the steepest in the world.

4. Learn more about Dunedin at Otago Museum

If you are interested in learning a bit more about Dunedin and its history of the Maoris, the native animals, and the Pacific cultures of this part of the country, the Otago Museum is a great place to start.

The museum is home to several rare collections of natural specimens, such as the rare fin whale skeleton, and human artifacts from all over Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australia.

You will find several permanent exhibitions on display here, from Tangata Whenua – an exhibition showcasing the artifacts of the Southern Maoris discovered here, to the maritime gallery where you will be able to see the massive Fin Whale skeleton and over 50 models of ships.

The Otago Museum opens from 10 AM to 5 PM, and the entrance fee is 15 NZD per person.

5. Go Up the Signal Hill

If you are looking for a viewpoint that will give you a panoramic view of the Dunedin skyline and its coastline, there is no better place to be than at the top of Signal Hill, located not too far from Balwin Street.

There are two ways you can get to the top of Signal Hill. You can either hike the 2-hour trail through Logan Park to reach the top of Signal Hill, which shouldn't be too difficult, or you can drive up the road, which will take about 15 minutes.

Once you arrive at the top of Signal Hill, you will be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of Dunedin and its coastline. You will also find a nice platform where you can sit and watch the sunset.

6. Visit Aramoana Beach

If you are looking for a nice place to walk around and be with nature, Aramoana Beach offers you a tranquil and relaxing walking path along its wide, white sand beach where you will be able to see stunning cliffsides and even wild animals.

Aramoana Beach is home to much wildlife, such as the Yellow-eyed penguins and the sleepy Native New Zealand sea lions that often come up to rest on one of the many rocks along the tall cliffs that barrel down onto the beach.

I stumbled upon a really cute sea lion trying to run into the sea as we were walking up and down the beach. It sure was surprised to see us, as much as we were to see them.

If you decide to visit Aramoana Beach, make sure you follow the wildlife interaction golden rule: respect the local wildlife and do not touch or interrupt the animals.

In order to get from Dunedin to Aramoana Beach, you will need to rent a car and drive up Highway 88 along the coastline and through Port Chalmers. Alternatively, you can take bus #14 to Port Chalmers and hitchhike from there to Aramoana Beach.

7. Stroll Along St. Clair Beach

Another beautiful, charming beach in Dunedin that you should visit is St. Clair Beach, located just south of the city center. St. Clair Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with a promenade lined with seafood restaurants and bars for you to indulge yourself in.

For photographers out there, at St. Clair Beach, there is this old remnant of a wooden pier where you will find these wooden poles left on the beach that align perfectly well with an island in the sea, creating a great composition for photos. So be sure to drop by there and snap some.

Even if you are not a photographer, the promenade is a nice place to stroll around in the morning and in the evening. To get to St. Clair Beach from the city center, you can take bus #8 from Octagon Dunedin to St. Clair Beach, which should take around 17 minutes.

8. Visit the Tunnel Beach

The Tunnel Beach is a collection of beautiful sea-carved sandstone cliffs, rock arches, and caves that will take you to a stunning white sand beach along the coastline of Otago Bay.

The Tunnel Beach got its name from the tunnel that was dug by hand through these epic sandstone cliffs to allow access to the beach below. Once you arrive, the Tunnel Beach Walkway will take you down a slope where you will be able to see Tunnel Beach and all its stunning cliffs from above.

As you continue down the trail, you will reach the edge of a cliff where you will be able to see the hidden beach below. Now, it is time for you to find that hand-carved tunnel.

It might not be apparent at first where the tunnel is, but it should not take you long to find a small crack in a rock where you will see a straight hand-carved tunnel that takes you to the beach.

At the beach, you will finally see the true scale of these cliffs that were sculpted by the Southern Ocean for centuries. These magnificent high cliffs, arches, and headlands are indeed quite a sight to behold.

It should take you around 1 hour to complete the Tunnel Beach Walk. To get there, you can take bus #33 from Octagon Dunedin and get off at Middleton Road, and then you will have to walk around 2.5 km (30 minutes) to the Tunnel Beach trailhead.

9. Visit Larnach Castle

Across the Otago Bay on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula, you will find the one and only castle in New Zealand, the Larnach Castle. It was built as a castle in 1871 by a local entrepreneur in a Gothic-revival architectural style and has since been turned into a tourist attraction for us to visit.

The castle itself is pretty impressive, but what draws the most attention is its beautiful garden, which covers over 7 acres of land with specialized sections ranging from the South Seas Garden to the Serpentine Walk.

Since the castle is located on the Otago Peninsula, which doesn't have as many buses as in Dunedin center, I recommend you get an organized tour for the visit so that they will handle the logistics of your visit for you. Click the link below to find tours to Larnach Castle.

Book Larnach Castle Tour

10. See the Albatross and Penguins at the Royal Albatross Centre

Another attraction located at Taiaroa Head on the northern tip of the Otago Peninsula is the Royal Albatross Centre, where you will be able to witness the albatross, the world's largest bird, and the world's smallest penguin all in one visit.

The Royal Albatross Centre is a nature reserve and the only mainland breeding colony that helps preserve and educate us about the Northern Royal Albatross. These birds only breed on remote islands.

You will be able to observe these beautiful seabirds as they fly around with their huge 3-meter-long wings above you. If you align your time with their schedule, you will also be able to see the blue penguins, the smallest penguin species in the world.

In order for you to see these beautiful creatures up close, you will need to book a tour to gain access to their nature reserve. The Royal Albatross Centre opens from 10:15 AM to dusk every day, and the tours cost around 35 NZD to 100 NZD per person. You can book an organized tour with the link below:

Book a Royal Albatross Tour

When to Visit Dunedin?

The best time to visit Dunedin is during the shoulder seasons between September to November and March to May, when there will be considerably fewer travelers. During this time, most accommodation will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than the peak season (November to March).

How to Get to Dunedin?

Dunedin has an international airport, but rarely receives any direct flights from elsewhere other than within New Zealand. Therefore, in order to get to Dunedin, you will either have to fly into Auckland or Christchurch.

From the US, there are no direct flights to Auckland or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.

From Europe, you can fly from most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singaporean Airlines, where you will then have to transit through their headquarters to get to Auckland or Christchurch before you can continue on to Dunedin. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.

From Asia, there are several airlines offering various routes from many hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you to Christchurch or Auckland. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are excellent options for traveling this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.

To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.

Getting from Auckland to Dunedin

By Air: Dunedin has an airport that you can fly into. Jetstar and Air New Zealand often fly from Auckland to Dunedin around four times a day. The journey should take about two hours and cost approximately 65 USD.

You can book your flight here.

Getting from Christchurch to Dunedin

By Air: From Christchurch, you can also fly to Dunedin via Air New Zealand. They fly this route 7 times a day, and the journey often takes around 1 hour and costs 39 USD. You can book your flight here.

By Bus: If you have time, you can also take the more scenic route and travel from Christchurch to Dunedin by bus. This route is operated by Intercity, and they have four buses running between 8 AM and 2:25 PM every day, leaving from the Intercity Bus Stop in Christchurch.

The bus journey from Christchurch to Dunedin will take around 6 hours and cost 47 NZD per person. You can book the bus to Dunedin here.

If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand via buses, I recommend that you get the Flexipass where you buy hours, and you can travel any route in the country depending on how long the bus is. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.

For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.

Getting from Queenstown to Dunedin

By Air: There is no direct flight between Queenstown and Dunedin, and you will have to transit through Christchurch. The duration of the transit can range from 3 hours to 7 hours, depending on its length.

Air New Zealand flies this route 7+ times a day, and the flight should cost around 82 - 138 USD. You can book your flight here.

By Bus: From Queenstown, there are 2 buses operated by Intercity that run directly between Queenstown and Dunedin. The bus leaves from Intercity Bus Stop in Queenstown at 8:00 AM every day, and it should cost about 45 NZD. You can book the bus to Dunedin here.

Again, I highly recommend you get Intercity Flexipass if you are planning to travel around New Zealand for a longer duration with buses. They are cheaper than buying separately and are quite handy for spontaneous trips.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Queenstown?10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown

How to Get Around Dunedin?

By Foot: Some attractions around the city center can be reached on foot, but for attractions that are further away, you are going to need to rent a car or take the bus instead.

By Bus: Dunedin has a pretty good local bus system that you can hop on and off to travel around the city for only 3 NZD. You can plan your journey and visit almost all the attractions I listed here except for the Royal Albatross Center and Larnach Castle. For these two attractions, you are going to need a car.

By Hitchhiking: Kiwis are some of the coolest and most laid-back people you will ever meet, and hitchhiking in Dunedin is another great way to get around without your own vehicle, as long as you stand on the road going towards where you want to go.

I hitchhiked from Dunedin to the Royal Albatross Center and back, and it took us the entire day. So, if you plan to hitchhike in Dunedin, be sure to spare a lot of time for travel.

By Car: The most comfortable way to explore Dunedin is with a car, and it will allow you to travel further to places like the Royal Albatross Center and Larnach Castle. You can rent it straight from Dunedin Airport for about 75 USD per day. You can rent a car in Dunedin here.

By Tour: If you do not wish to drive, you can also go on a day trip to visit both Larnach Castle and the Royal Albatross Center in one go with an organized tour, which I highly recommend. The tour will often include the transfer as well as the admission fee for these places. You can browse for tours in Dunedin with the link below.

Book Dunedin Tours

How Many Days Should I Spend In Dunedin?

For Dunedin, I would recommend that you spend at least 3 days (4 nights) to see all the tourist attractions I recommended here. Here is how you will spend each day in Dunedin:

Day 1: Explore the attractions around the city center, visit the Botanic Garden, the Railway Station, the Otago Museum, and hike up Baldwin Street and Signal Hill.

Day 2: Visit Aramoana Beach, Tunnel Beach, and St. Clair Beach.

Day 3: Visit Larnach Castle and see albatrosses and penguins at Otago Peninsula.

How Much Does It Cost To Visit Dunedin?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will spend on this trip as follows:

Accommodation: For four nights in Dunedin, you will be spending around 84 USD on accommodation.

Food: An average meal in New Zealand costs around 10 USD, so you will be spending around 90 USD on food for 2 days.

Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to spend around 15 NZD (11.70 USD) for approximately 5 bus trips.

Activities: You will be paying for the Larnach Castle and Otago Peninsula Tour, as well as the admission fee for the Otago Museum, which will total around 166 USD.

Total Budget for 3 days in Dunedin: 351.7 USD (472.17 NZD)

What to Pack for Dunedin?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Dunedin, New Zealand:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for New Zealand? Check out:What to Pack for New Zealand - The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand

I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand from the North Island to the South Island that might help you in your trip planning.

Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
• Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending 2 weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2-Week Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
• Want to visit New Zealand but not sure what to pack? Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for New Zealand
• Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
• New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
• If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
• Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
• Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
• Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
• Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here's The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
• Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
• Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town, full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
• Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
• Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here’s my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
• The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
• One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here’s The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
• Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are among the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best to explore them together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
• Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
• You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.