1. Home
    2. ›
  2. NZ Cities
    3. ›
  3. Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin New Zealand is a city in the southern half of the South Island in the Otago region. Dunedin was founded by Scottish settlers, given its title from the Gaelic translation of Edinburgh, and was strongly influenced by Scottish immigrants arriving around 1848.

Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin New Zealand Historic Architecture, Otago, South Island, NZ
Image © Eddie Bugajewski

Things to Do in New Zealand Dunedin

Activities, experiences, and things to do in Dunedin and out in the Otago region include…

  • Adventures
  • Architecture
  • Arts and Culture
  • Baldwin Street - Steepest Street in the World
  • Beaches near Dunedin
  • Botanic Garden
  • Dunedin Breweries
  • Dunedin Parks
  • Dunedin Reserves
  • Cycling in Dunedin and Otago
  • Day Trips from Dunedin
  • Gardens
  • Golf Courses in Dunedin and Otago
  • Farmers' Markets
  • History and heritage
  • Nature and Wildlife Tours
  • Otago Farmers’ Market
  • Otago Harbour - a 22km Natural Harbour
  • Otago Peninsula
  • Picnic Spots in Dunedin
  • Walking around Dunedin and Otago
  • Warehouse District
  • Wine, Wineries, and Vineyards of Dunedin and Otago

50 things to do in Dunedin - list of specific activities and ideas

What's the Time in Dunedin?

The time in Dunedin New Zealand is...

Wildlife in Dunedin

New Zealand native Birds and Animals

Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin Authentic Chinese Garden, New Zealand, Otago, South Island, NZ
Image © Nareeta Martin

Day Tripping in and Around Dunedin City

  • Aramoana Beach
  • Blackhead / Waldronville Beach
  • Blueskin Bay & Waitati
  • Brighton
  • Brighton Beach
  • Broad Bay Beach
  • Canoe Beach
  • Carey’s Bay to Long Beach
  • Doctors Point Beach
  • Harrington Point Beach
  • Hill Suburbs
  • Kaikai Beach
  • Karitane Beach
  • Long Beach
  • Middlemarch
  • Mount Cargill
  • Murdering Beach
  • Nicols Falls
  • North East Valley
  • Orokonui Bird Sanctuary
  • Otago Peninsula
    • Allans Beach
    • Boulder Beach
    • Sandfly Bay
    • Smails Beach
    • Tomahawk Beach
    • Victory Beach
  • Pilots Beach
  • Portobello
  • Purakaunui Beach
  • MacAndrew Bay Beach
  • Mosgiel & Outram
  • Port Chalmers
  • Second Beach
  • St Kilda / St Clair Beach
  • Taieri Mouth Beach
  • Tunnel Beach
  • Waikouaiti Beach
  • Waikouaiti & Karitane
  • Warrington Beach
  • Wildlife Tours

Dunedin in the Otago Region

Touring Routes to and from Dunedin in Otago.

A couple of self-drive touring routes to choose from. I have driven both these routes more than once. If you have time you could do them as a circular route from either Dunedin or Queenstown.

Southern Scenic Route

The 600 kilometre Southern Scenic Route offers unique wildlife such as penguins and dolphins, amazing geology such as cliffs and fossilised forest, beautiful beaches, waterfalls and native forests, along with historic settlements. It most definitely is scenic!

The Southern Scenic Route runs between Dunedin and Queenstown along the South of the South Island. The route takes you through settlements, towns, and places such as Dunedin, The Catlins, Invercargill, Clutha, Western Southland, Fiordland, and Queenstown.

Dunedin Map - 50 Things to do in Dunedin - Dunedin Breweries - Otago - Southland - Fiordland - Cities

Southern Scenic Route Map https://southernscenicroute.co.nz/

Central Otago Touring Route

Drive a scenic route taking you from the Pacific Ocean through Central Otago to Queenstown and the Southern Alps. Towns you will pass through are; Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Oturehua, Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell, Arrowtown, and Queenstown if you drive the whole 341-kilometre route.

Dunedin Map - Otago Region

A Central Otago Touring Route map https://centralotagotouringroute.co.nz/

Getting Around Dunedin

Transport within Dunedin and suburbs includes an extensive bus network, taxis, cycling, and walking.

Dunedin Map

Buses can transport you in and around the city, to Pine Hill, Shiel Hill, Opoho, Lookout Point, Port Chalmers, and the Otago Peninsula.

Plan bus journeys at https://www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport/dunedin-buses

For Otago Region transport see https://www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport

Dunedin Accommodation

Accommodation in New Zealands Dunedin and wider region is as diverse as other cities in New Zealand. Whatever your accommodation budget you will be able to find something to suit.

I stayed at Leith Valley Holiday Park & Motel in a campervan and found it to be a peaceful park with great facilities on the edge of Dunedin with easy access to the city, the bush, and wider region of Otago.

  • Bed & breakfast
  • Backpackers
  • Campsites
  • Hotels
  • Hostels
  • Motels
  • Lodges
  • Farmstays
  • Holiday homes
  • Holiday parks
  • Homestays

Luxury

  • Apartments
  • Boutique and Lodges
  • Hotels
  • Serviced apartments

Time in Dunedin New Zealand

The time in Dunedin New Zealand is the same as all New Zealand time.