There aren’t many places where you can walk up the world’s steepest street, see the world’s rarest penguin, and then explore New Zealand’s only castle in a single day. Dunedin/Ōtepoti has it all! The city centre is a hub for cosy cafes, impressive historical buildings, brewery tours, shops, and art galleries. Take a short trip to Otago peninsula and absorb sweeping coastal views across the harbour, keeping your eyes peeled for albatross, penguins, and sea lions. Dunedin has activities to cater for every interest, but there are some experiences in Dunedin/Ōtepoti that you simply cannot miss.

1. Baldwin Street: The steepest street in the world

There was once a time when Jaffas (Kiwi lollies made from balls of chocolate and red icing) rolled down Baldwin Street. Nowadays, JAFAs crawl up it. At 350m long with a slope of slightly over 1:5, Baldwin Street is a must-visit. It looks rather like a vertical strip of concrete shooting into the sky. Don your walking shoes, take a breath, and if you’re brave enough, tackle the beast. Or simply watch others comfortably from the foot of the hill. Stay long enough and you’re bound to spot the ashen-faced courier driver trying to do a 3-point turn halfway up the slope.

Directions: On the right-hand-side if you’re travelling north on North Rd in North East Valley. No car? Catch the Route 8 bus from the city interchange which travels right past Baldwin Street.

2. Otago Peninsula Experiences

Observed from Dunedin city, Otago Peninsula resembles an undulating finger of land that inches towards the open ocean. Bike or drive the coastal peninsula road, admiring the charming boatsheds and yachts gently skimming across the harbour. After visiting Glenfalloch Gardens & Restuarant for a delicious lunch, drop into one of the many breezy villages to find gifts made by local artisans.

Alternatively, take one of the hillside roads that leads to the stately Larnach Castle or continue along the peninsula to Pukekura/Taiaroa head to the Royal Albatross Centre, where you can see the Southern Royal Albatross and little blue penguins. Fancy seeing the rarest penguin in the world? Join an informative tour with OPERA, the Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, a rehabilitation centre and reserve for the endangered Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin).

For more unforgettable wildlife-viewing experiences in Dunedin, I also recommend Elm Wildlife Tours and Monarch Cruises who both offer packages to see albatross, seals, and other wildlife by bus and/or boat.

3. Brewery Tours: Speight’s and Emerson’s

Crawled up Baldwin Street and now you’re craving a stiff drink? You’ve come to the right place.

While blue and gold are the trademark colours of Otago, blue and orange would come in at a close second. These two colours brighten the remote villages of central Otago in the form of the Speights Logo, acting as a beacon for thirsty travellers. Go on a tour at Speight’s Ale House, one of the only gravity-fed breweries worldwide. Emerson’s Craft Brewery, started by Richard Emerson in a chilly student flat back in the day also offers tours. Just make sure you wear closed shoes.

Prefer gin? Head to No. 8 Distillery for tastings and tours. If you’re after cocktails, Pequeño cocktail lounge is the place to be. Dunedin also has a vibrant music scene, so it’s worth checking for gigs that might be happening around the city.

4. Museum experiences in Dunedin

The Toitū Otago Settlers Museum reveals Dunedin history through dramatic displays and clever walk-in reconstructions. The museum also hosts events like harakeke (flax) weaving workshops, talks and musicians.

Otago Museum covers a lot of ground, with local Māori and Pākehā collections, natural history, and international artefacts. If you visited Taiaroa head and didn’t see an albatross, here’s your chance: there is one on the upper levels of the museum (alas, stuffed). The museum hosts exhibitions, public lectures and other events, everything from fashion week to the wildlife photography awards. While general admission is free, paying for tickets will give you access to the Tūhura Science Centre, amazing tropical butterfly house, and the Perpetual Guardian Planetarium.

Port Chalmers Maritime Museum showcases local maritime history with plenty of intriguing artefacts and photographs. It also documents the transformation of Port Chalmers to the important shipping port it is today.

5. Architectural highlights

Want to snap some stunning pics? See the finest New Zealand examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture by visiting:

• Dunedin Town Hall
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• First Church
• Dunedin Railway Station (Otago Arts society is upstairs)
• Knox Church (pictured)
• Otago University Clocktower
• St. Joseph’s Cathedral
• Otago Girls and Otago Boys high schools
• Olveston Historic Home  

6. Dunedin Botanic Gardens

From walking trails that undulate through native New Zealand bush to the steamy tropical glasshouse, the Dunedin Botanic Gardens is a fun, relaxed nature experience in Dunedin. The ‘Botans’ offer an array of lovely walking trails at various difficulty levels and lengths. There is also an aviary with cheeky macaws and Sid, the talking cockatoo.

7. Dunedin Farmers Market

The Dunedin Farmers Market is an excellent place to find fresh, boutique, and affordable food. Here you’ll find fruit, vege, organic goods, preserves, sweets, meats, cheeses, oils, peanut butter and even wine/spirits. Vendors also offer tasty tucker like woodfired pizza, crepes, cakes, pies, dumplings, and coffee for your morning fix. During summer, load your bags with a bounty of Otago stone fruit; juicy cherries, apricots and plums.

Where & when: Every Saturday 8-12:30pm, beside the Dunedin Railway Station (best to get in before 11am)

8. Art Experiences & Galleries

For artistic experiences in Dunedin, check out the Dunedin Public Art Gallery conveniently located in the Octagon for large travelling exhibitions plus local and international works. Gallery De Novo, Otago Art Society, Moray Gallery, and many cafes in the city centre also feature works by New Zealand and local artists. Personally, I love dropping into Koru New Zealand Art near the Railway Station to admire their treasure-trove of genuine Kiwi art, craft, and gifts.

9. Beaches in Dunedin

Perhaps best preserved for a clear, calm day- but even if you don’t fancy embracing the icy waves it’s still worthwhile visiting these beaches for a walk, or to admire them from a nearby cafe or restaurant.

St Clair: probably the easiest beach to reach from the city, since it is smack-bang on the bus route. St Clair is a surfing hotspot with a string of trendy restaurants on the esplanade and a saltwater swimming pool.

Tunnel beach: consistently raved about by all those who visit (although people aren’t so fond of the steep walk). To reach the beach from the carpark, take the 2km walking track (steep on the return) through a historic tunnel built in 1870.   

Tomahawk beach: a stretch of white sand and dunes, popular with dog walkers and surfers. Dogs must be kept on-leash, since they can distress resident wildlife. Curious about the name? See my post on The History Behind Dunedin’s strangest place names.

Brighton beach: more sheltered than St Clair, a pleasant place to go for a walk. Brighton has a mix of rockpools and sandy shores, although it is further from the city and is best accessed with your own vehicle.

10. Dunedin walks & tours

Looking for outdoor and cultural experiences in Dunedin? Drop into the Octagon I-Centre for comprehensive pamphlets of Dunedin cycleways and walking tracks.

Some popular walks include:

• Signal Hill
• Organ Pipes (steep, incredible rock formations that resemble Giant’s Causeway)
• Ross creek reservoir (a range of fitness levels)
• Pineapple track (steep, but mint city views)
• West harbour cycleway (easy, follow the path from the Marina near Forsyth Bar Stadium)
  

• Otago Peninsula: cycleway to Portobello or Port Chalmers, the camp track, walks to Tomahawk Beach
• Hair Raiser Ghosts Tours: delve into Dunedin’s spooky, gothic past…
• Street Art Tour (get the map from HERE or the Information Centre, or join a guided tour)
• The town belt nature walks

Winter edition: Dunedin Mid-Winter Carnival

One of the fabulous experiences in Dunedin during wintertime is the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival held in June. Rug up in your woollens, sip mulled wine, and enjoy fun festivities!

A family favourite, the carnival is a joyful night with food trucks, performers, musicians, and the much-anticipated lantern procession. Every year there’s a different theme for the lanterns.

In the South Island? Don’t miss these…

• Picton to Invercargill: a quick travel guide
• Town Slogans of the South Island
• Surprising facts about Rakiura/Stewart Island
• Otago rail trail: Dunedin to Middlemarch
• Top 8 Attractions in the Catlins