Things to Do in Dunedin, New Zealand: Our Top Picks & Tips

What You Need to Know About Dunedin

Dunedin is located on New Zealand’s South Island and is a seriously cool college town. Here, stunning beaches meet historic buildings, rare wildlife, and a fascinating cultural history.

In other words, Dunedin has “a little bit of everything.” Surfing, sunbathing, hiking, sea lions on the beach — and, wildest of all, even a castle and countless Victorian houses.

That’s actually why Dunedin is also called the Edinburgh of the South.

Where Is Dunedin in New Zealand?

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked Dunedin and the top three attractions on a map of the Otago Peninsula:

Our Top 10 Things to Do in Dunedin, New Zealand

Tunnel Beach

What do you need to know? Tunnel Beach is located just under 7 kilometers from downtown Dunedin. The highlights here are the sandstone cliffs, rock arches, and caves shaped by the sea.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! Tunnel Beach is the perfect spot for a spectacular beach hike. The 2-kilometer Tunnel Beach Track takes you straight to the sand, with unforgettable views of the ocean and the cliffs along the way. The descent is easy — the climb back up on the return is a bit more of a workout, so pace yourself.

Signal Hill

What do you need to know? Signal Hill is a large hill northeast of Dunedin. You can drive or bike up, or hike via the Signal Hill Track. At the top, the Signal Hill Lookout rewards you with a sweeping panorama over the city.

Is it worth it? Totally! You won’t find a better vantage point over Dunedin and the surrounding landscape. At sunset in particular, it’s breathtakingly beautiful up here.

Our tip: The winding roads make the route especially popular with mountain bikers. If you have a bike handy, riding up is seriously the way to go.

Sandfly Bay

What do you need to know? Sandfly Bay is a sandy beach 15 kilometers east of downtown Dunedin. Unlike Tunnel Beach, here you’ll find picturesque sand dunes and a view of Lions Head Rock — a rocky islet rising out of the sea.

Is it worth it? The path to Sandfly Bay is genuinely tough and the descent is really steep. But the effort is 100% worth it! You get sand, sea, and wind — and you can even watch seal colonies up close. Super cool!

Moeraki Boulders

What do you need to know? The Moeraki Boulders are enormous, perfectly round stones on Koekohe Beach north of Dunedin. Each boulder weighs several tons and can be up to two meters tall. Scientists estimate they’re around 65 million years old!

Is it worth it? Definitely! If you’re anywhere near the North Otago coast, the Moeraki Boulders are a must-see. They’re a genuine natural wonder and incredibly photogenic — and yes, you can climb on them.

Dunedin Octagon

What do you need to know? The Octagon is the city center of Dunedin — named for the octagonal layout of the central square. Right here you’ll find all of Dunedin’s most important buildings clustered together.

Is it worth it? The Octagon sits at the heart of the city and is the perfect starting point for sightseeing in the downtown area. You’ll find St. Paul’s Cathedral, the historic Town Hall, and the Robert Burns statue all within easy walking distance. It really does full justice to Dunedin’s nickname, “Edinburgh of the South.”

Our tip: For a night out in Dunedin, check what’s on at the Regent Theatre on the Octagon — there are always great events happening there.

Dunedin Railway Station

What do you need to know? The historic Dunedin Railway Station dates from 1906 and is still in operation today. From here, the trains of the Otago Excursion Train Trust run through the countryside. The station is best known, though, for its stunning building.

Is it worth it? Without a doubt. While you’re exploring Dunedin, you should absolutely swing by the Railway Station. It’s not just a great photo stop — you can also grab a meal at the restaurant inside and visit an art gallery.

St. Clair Hot Salt Water Pool

What do you need to know? The St. Clair Hot Salt Water Pool is in the south of Dunedin, right on the waterfront. You can swim laps in warm salt water for around NZD 8, with lanes divided into slow, medium, and fast.

Is it worth it? Swimming in warm water with an endless view of the Tasman Sea? Absolutely! And after your swim, the pool café does a great coffee. It’s one of the most unique pool experiences you’ll find anywhere in New Zealand.

Our tip: During school vacations the pool gets really crowded. Check ahead of time whether it’s a school holiday period before you go.

Larnach Castle

What do you need to know? Larnach Castle is the only castle in all of New Zealand. Strictly speaking it’s a grand mansion, but New Zealanders call it a castle — and we’re not arguing. Built in 1871, it’s now open to the public in its full Victorian splendor.

Is it worth it? 100%! If only because it’s New Zealand’s one and only castle, a visit to Larnach is a no-brainer. You’ll find gorgeous rooms, stunning gardens, and a tower with sweeping views over the Otago Peninsula. Every day at 3 PM, high tea is even served in the ballroom.

Farmers Market

What do you need to know? Every Saturday morning, the Farmers Market takes place in the northern parking lot of the Railway Station — rain or shine. Expect locally grown fruit and vegetables, freshly roasted coffee from the region, and plenty more.

Is it worth it? The Farmers Market is a real standout among things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand. If you want to get a feel for local culture and chat with residents, this is exactly the place to be — and the food is genuinely delicious.

Baldwin Street

What do you need to know? Baldwin Street is in the north of Dunedin and holds a Guinness World Record as the steepest street on the planet.

Is it worth it? Okay, at the end of the day it’s just a street. But if you’re already in Dunedin, we think it’s worth the detour. Climbing up via the steps is a fun experience, you’ll get great photos, and you might even strike up a conversation with one of the locals.

Our Hotel Recommendations in Dunedin

Dunedin has some genuinely great places to stay. To give you a quick selection, we recommend a beachfront hotel in the south, a hotel in the center, and one in the north of Dunedin:

Practical Tips for Dunedin

Finally, here are answers to the most common questions about Dunedin, plus a few handy pointers.

#1 How do you pronounce Dunedin?

Dunedin is NOT pronounced the way it looks. The correct pronunciation is “Da-ni-dn”.

#2 How many days should you spend in Dunedin?

If you want to explore Dunedin and the surrounding area without feeling rushed, we recommend planning for at least two days.

That way you can spend one day in Dunedin itself and one day exploring the Otago Peninsula more broadly.

#3 How close can you get to the wildlife in Dunedin?

Dunedin is home to seal colonies and penguins that you can experience up close on the beach. That said, always keep in mind that these are wild animals.

Experts recommend a minimum distance of 300 meters — both in the water and on land.