2025 Dunedin Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

#summervacay Oh, you absolutely have to document this! Our South Island loop tour's second half had us planning an overnight stay in Dunedin after Queenstown and Oamaru. Before coming, I honestly hadn't even heard of this little city, thinking it was just a pit stop. But after arriving, I completely fell in love with this treasure of a town! ❤️ The essence of Dunedin lies in its unhurried, laid-back pace: Feeling the South Pacific breeze, strolling down streets full of stories, letting your mind wander along the magnificent coastline, and then, to your delight, encountering its wonderfully lazy and majestic marine residents. 🌊🐧 Put on comfortable shoes, grab your camera, and bring a relaxed state of mind to truly enjoy the unique and leisurely charm of this "Edinburgh of the South." Must-Visit Spots: The Octagon : The city's central hub, buzzing with cafes and a great starting point for exploration. Dunedin Railway Station : An architectural masterpiece, often called the "most photographed building in New Zealand." 🚂 First Church of Otago : A stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, truly impressive. ⛪ Baldwin Street : Recognized as the world's steepest residential street – a fun challenge to walk up! uphill challenge. ⛰️ Tunnel Beach : Dramatic coastal cliffs, a hand-carved tunnel leading to a secluded beach, and incredible views. A truly special place. 🏖️ #Dunedin #NewZealand #SouthIsland #HiddenGem #TravelNZ

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Dunedin Botanic Garden is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. It was established in 1863 and is the oldest botanical garden in New Zealand. This botanical garden covers an area of ​​28 hectares and has a total collection of more than 6,800 species of plants. There is also a transparent glass indoor garden built specifically for winter, named "Edwardian Winter Garden Glasshouse", which grows tropical, subtropical, cactus and other plants. There are flocks of ducks strolling leisurely on the lawn of the botanical garden, and there are birds and other small animals foraging. It is a great place for a leisurely walk to enjoy the flowers.

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 The University of Otago is located in Dunedin, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, it is the oldest university in New Zealand. After entering the school, you will see the school name and emblem on a stone tablet, and then you will immediately see the university’s most historic landmark, the Clocktower Building. The entire building is built in Gothic style and is made of basalt and Oamaru stone. The building has been listed as one of New Zealand's cultural heritage. There is also an orange-red art installation on campus, which is a favorite photo spot for tourists. Like other famous universities, the entire campus is quiet and comfortable, and it is really a good environment for learning knowledge.

Here's your 12-day New Zealand adventure guide! Beautiful natural scenery, coupled with unique cultural experiences, will fill your journey with surprises and wonder. Don't miss out! -------- 🏃 Itinerary: DAY 1: Depart for Auckland, ready to begin your New Zealand journey! ✈️ DAY 2–3: Travel to Christchurch, then take a bus to Kaikoura to embark on a whale-watching tour 🐋 and experience the wonders of marine life. DAY 4: Explore the cityscape of Christchurch and head to Oamaru to watch the adorable little blue penguins return to their nests 🐧. In the evening, check in to the International Dark Sky Reserve and experience the beauty of the starry night. DAY 5–6: Visit the Moeraki Boulders in Oamaru, then travel to Dunedin to admire Baldwin Street and the historic railway station. Afterward, drive to Milford Sound and finally arrive in Queenstown. DAY 7: Enjoy a full day of free time in Queenstown, exploring this beautiful town at your own pace! DAY 8–9: Travel to Wanaka and Mount Cook National Park for a breathtaking helicopter glacier tour 🚁. Then, head to Lake Tekapo before returning to Christchurch and flying to Auckland. DAY 10–11: Discover the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the adorable Agrodome farm 🐏🐂 in Rotorua. Then, visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and Hobbiton Movie Set to experience the unique scenery of New Zealand's North Island. DAY 12: End your delightful New Zealand journey and depart for Shanghai. 🛫 -------- Must-See Attractions: 🌟 Hobbiton Movie Set: A recreation of Middle-earth from *The Lord of the Rings*, as if stepping into a fantasy world! 🌌 Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Thousands of glowworms create a mirrored spectacle, with twinkling green lights transporting you to a dreamlike world. 🌋 Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Stroll along the paths and admire the bizarre spectacle of bubbling mud pools and gushing hot springs, like a dream. 💦 Milford Sound: Countless waterfalls cascade down the cliffs, creating a breathtaking sight! Take a boat tour and enjoy the thrill of a water journey. 🐑 Agrodome: Adorable animals, bountiful orchards, and rows of kiwi fruit trees await your exploration! Experience the laid-back charm of rural life. -------- **Important Notes**: * Transportation from the airport to the city center is convenient, with options including taxis 🚕, buses 🚌, or trains 🚆. * New Zealand specialties, such as wool products and Manuka honey, are reasonably priced. * The time difference between New Zealand and China is 4–5 hrs, so remember to adjust accordingly 🌏. * A visa is required to travel to New Zealand, so prepare the necessary documents in advance 📃. -------- Experience the charm of pure nature on your New Zealand journey. We look forward to your next visit to explore more unknown landscapes!

#2月好去地方2025 Address: 31 Queens Gardens, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 There is a Chinese garden called Orchid Garden in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. It is very beautiful and resembles the gardens of Suzhou. The gardens commemorate the contribution of the Chinese to Dunedin's history and culture during the gold rush of the 1760s. Before the establishment of the city of Dunedin, many Cantonese people had settled in the local area and neighboring areas for more than ten years. Although it covers a small area, you can feel the care put into it by the designers and craftsmen, who have concentrated many of the essences of Jiangnan gardens here. The weather in the southern hemisphere is different, with yellow and red leaves in April and cherry blossoms in September, which, combined with the elegant architecture, create a very beautiful picture.

An 8-day tour of New Zealand, exploring both the North and South Islands! With carefully selected attractions and a well-planned itinerary, your New Zealand trip will be unforgettable. Check out this guide! -------- New Zealand, a land of ancient history and picturesque landscapes. From majestic mountains 🏔️ to stunning coastlines 🌊, everything is captivating. The unique Māori culture and the warm hospitality of the locals add a special touch to the visitor's experience. -------- Itinerary: Day 1️⃣: Avon River - Cathedral Square - Canterbury Museum - Castle Hill Explore the city on your first day, from the tranquil beauty of the Avon River to the historical atmosphere of Cathedral Square, and then embark on a cultural journey to the museum and Castle Hill, making for a fulfilling and exciting day. Day 2️⃣: Pancake Rocks - Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - Hokitika Beach - Franz Josef Glacier On the second day, journey through natural wonders, marveling at the spectacular Pancake Rocks, the unique Punakaiki Blowholes, the tranquility of Hokitika Beach, and the awe-inspiring glacier. Day 3️⃣: Wanaka - Lake Wanaka - Arrowtown - Arrow River - Queenstown Skyline Gondola Experience the picturesque scenery of Wanaka, then travel to Arrowtown to discover its historical charm, and finally, take the Skyline Gondola for a breathtaking view of Queenstown, enjoying a diverse and colorful day. Day 4️⃣: TSS Earnslaw Steamship - Walter Peak High Country Farm Cruise the lake on a vintage steamship, then visit a high-country farm to experience rural life and enjoy a unique travel experience. Day 5️⃣: Full Day Free Time in Queenstown Explore Queenstown at your own pace and enjoy the unique charm of this beautiful city. Day 6️⃣: Dunedin - The Octagon - St. Paul's Cathedral - Dunedin Railway Station - Moeraki Boulders - Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony Embark on a historical and cultural journey, visiting the ancient sites and scenic spots of Dunedin, experiencing the mystery of the Moeraki Boulders, and then heading to the Blue Penguin Colony to understand the significance of ecological conservation. Day 7️⃣: Mount Cook - Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park - Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd Explore the magnificent scenery of Mount Cook, stroll through the national park to experience the beauty of nature, and then head to the Church of the Good Shepherd by Lake Tekapo to find inner peace. Day 8️⃣: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch On the last day, depart from Lake Tekapo and head to Christchurch to conclude your enjoyable journey. 🛬️ -------- 🧳 Packing List: Essential Items for Your Trip to New Zealand 📞Bring your phone card and plug adapter for easy communication and staying connected. 🪪Passport, visa, driver's license - don't forget these important documents for a smooth trip. 👗New Zealand has large temperature differences in February, so bring a windproof jacket, a wool sweater, and waterproof shoes. -------- 🎉New Zealand awaits your exploration! Its beautiful scenery and unique culture will surely make your trip worthwhile! 🌟

Embark on an 8-day New Zealand adventure! Immerse yourself in the country's stunning scenery and authentic experiences. Plan your dream trip now! -------- 🗓 Itinerary: Day 1: Avon River -> Christchurch Art Centre On the first day, we'll stroll along the Avon River and admire its tranquility and beauty. Then, we'll head to the Christchurch Art Centre and immerse ourselves in the world of art and culture. Day 2: Pancake Rocks -> Franz Josef Glacier On the second day, we'll explore the stunning Pancake Rocks and marvel at the wonders of nature. Then, we'll head to the Franz Josef Glacier and experience the glacier's grandeur and mystery. Day 3: Wanaka Town -> Lake Wanaka -> Cromwell Town -> AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre -> Arrowtown -> Lake Wakatipu On the third day, we'll visit the picturesque Wanaka Town and Lake Wanaka, then head to Cromwell Town. In the afternoon, we'll challenge the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre and experience the thrill of extreme sports. Finally, we'll visit the historic Arrowtown and admire the beauty of Lake Wakatipu. Day 4: Queenstown Skyline Gondola On the fourth day, we'll ride the Queenstown Skyline Gondola and enjoy breathtaking views of the entire city. Day 5: Milford Sound -> Milford Sound Cruise On the fifth day, we'll explore Milford Sound and take a scenic cruise, admiring the stunning fjord scenery and experiencing the endless charm of nature. Day 6: Dunedin Railway Station -> Moeraki Boulders -> Oamaru -> Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony On the sixth day, we'll depart from the historic Dunedin Railway Station and visit the unique Moeraki Boulders. Then, we'll explore Oamaru and its Blue Penguin Colony, getting up close to these adorable creatures. Day 7: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park -> Tasman Glacier On the seventh day, we'll delve into the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and experience the grandeur of nature. Then, we'll head to the Tasman Glacier and enjoy a glacier adventure. Day 8: Lake Tekapo -> Church of the Good Shepherd On the last day, we'll visit the picturesque Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, leaving beautiful memories and concluding our trip.🌟 -------- What to Pack: Don't forget these essentials for your New Zealand adventure! 📞 Phone card and internet access are essential for staying connected and online. 🔌 Bring a plug adapter, as New Zealand's outlets are different. 👕 Pack some spring and autumn clothes for February, as well as rain gear and a visa. -------- Come to New Zealand and enjoy the pure nature and fantastic scenery. Create unforgettable memories and make your trip truly special!

Dunedin's downtown is perfect for a leisurely day tour! Here, you can find many preserved Scottish-style buildings. Near the roundabout in front of the train station, there are St. Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, and First Church. The train station itself is also uniquely designed. Although you can't enter the First Church, it is still very impressive. It's a great idea to buy a simple lunch and enjoy it at the roundabout park at noon. In the afternoon, you can head to Baldwin Street and Signal Hill Lookout. The lookout offers a view of the seaside and is easily accessible by car. If you enjoy drinking, it's recommended to visit the bars around the roundabout in the evening for a drink.

Dunedin, New Zealand, has the steepest slope in the world. It is recommended to park your car at the bottom of the slope because the top is a dead end. The best place to take photos is from the top of the slope looking down. Although the photos may not look very steep, it is quite a challenge to walk up in person. Additionally, there are stairs beside the slope that are also great for photos! If you lie down on the slope, it's recommended to pose with one hand off the ground for a more immersive feel. After taking photos, we even drove up the slope and made a U-turn back down. If you visit Dunedin, I highly recommend checking it out 😂 But be careful, you might end up spending a lot of time taking photos.

We are so lucky to meet seals and penguins🐧 !!!!! Catch wild sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins! Looking forward to the blue-eyed penguins at night~ Today is the Discovery route! It's so healing to watch the little penguins crossing the road together❤️ Everyone is waiting quietly on both sides At around 7 or 8 pm, the yellow-eyed penguins come ashore and go home. At 9:00 p.m., the blue-eyed penguins The blue-eyed penguin is the smallest penguin in the world Small body, compact steps Big belly, swinging wings When they come ashore, they will stay still for a while and observe their surroundings. Then they groom themselves and return to their nest. It is said that November is the time when the number of penguins is the highest. Be sure to come and see the spectacle this November! - Sea lions taking a nap lazily on the shore They will defend themselves territorially. So try to keep a little distance to avoid disturbing them. Occasionally, you can see them swimming and rolling happily in the seaweed area. - ✅Tunnel Beach one hour round trip track with beautiful sea views ✅Baldwin Street is the steepest slope in the world ✅Moetaki Boulders Beach Moeraki Boulders Beach ✅Oamaru Old Town Classical Art Architecture ✅South Hill Seals captures wild sea lions ✅Yellow Eyes Penguins Look at the yellow-eyed penguins ✅Blue Eyes Penguins Waiting for the blue-eyed penguins to cross the road - Made a decision, Don't want to think too much. If you don’t do many things now, you won’t be able to do them in the future! - Life is also a beautiful journey I hope to gain enough strength to face all challenges in the future. I also hope to bring the travel mentality into my life.

The century-old Dunedin Railways, designed by George Troup, can be said to be the busiest station in Dunedin. Although it is currently renovated, there is still quite a lot of introduction and guidance Gorge, must be very praised 💗, even outside the station there is a maze garden, many plants, chairs, see many old people, children come to sunbathe and walk #familygoodplace #familytravel

Of course you have to experience the local food when you are abroad. Since I like to drink Seafood Chowder, I directly found another good brunch restaurant. I ordered seafood chowder soup and pumpkin pasta salad. The soup is fresh, thick and delicious. It is full of seafood. The fish is super fresh and has a little chili sauce, which makes it more flavorful. The salad is Italian seasoning, light and delicious. It is a simple solution to Chinese food. This restaurant is just opposite the Dunedin train station. If you go to the train station, you can come here by the way🇳🇿🦭 #Local Tour #Parent-child Good Place #familytravel

The First Church Of Otago is arguably the most important church in Dunedin, situated on Octagon Square and is known as the most beautiful 19th century building in New Zealand, by Robert, a well-known 19th century New Zealand architect Lawson designed it and took six years to complete. The Gothic architecture, coupled with the distinctive colors, textures and appearance, walk into the breathtaking stained glass windows #Valentine's Day #Local Tour #FamilyTravel

Dunedin is close to the harbor, so it naturally has the advantage of fresh seafood. I got up early today and came to The Octagon. There were many people sitting indoors and outdoors. The staff was very friendly. This time I ordered seafood chowder and The one. The one had poached eggs and sourdough bread with bacon, which was also delicious. The whole thing was very filling. The seafood chowder was really super delicious. There were a lot of seafood, including mussels, fish, squid, and small octopus. The point was that it was very fragrant. Dipping it in toast really made people want to drink another sip. Friends who like seafood should remember to come and taste it💕💕😇😇 #Valentine's Day Good Place#Local Tour #Parent-Child Good Place #familytravel

This time when I came to Dunedin, I stayed at Baldwin Street, which once won the Guinness World Record. It is a residential area with a vertical climb of 70 meters, the steepest section reaches an angle of 19 degrees, and the height increases by 1 meter for every 2.86 meters. It is super cool, but there are no shops here. It is about five kilometers away from the city. It is quite nice to come here to take a visual effect photo. #Valentine's Day

A quaint small city with the Guinness World Record Baldwin Street. For every 2.86 meters walked, the height increases by 1 meter. Hope that next time, don't miss the charity event of "Chocolate Bean Race"!

Dunedin's famous check-in spot Baldwin Street The steepest street is not a name that is given for nothing. It is recommended that friends who drive by themselves park their cars on the roadside and then walk up In fact, I admire people who park their cars on the slope more than those who live here. This handbrake has been tested. #NewZealand #SouthIsland #LocalTours #BaldwinStreet #Dunedin

Otago Museum is located in Dunedin. There are many free museum collections. There are introductions to protected species, island history, Maori culture and cultural relics from various countries. You can spend some time browsing here. #NewZealand #SouthIsland #Dunedin #LocalTourism

Doing a self drive South Island trip in NZ, stopped at Dunedin for one night and we chose to stay in Larnach Castle. It’s the only castle in NZ that offers the castle experience, award winning gardens, luxury accommodation, event management and unique dining experiences. We came across a good deal on their website which included the self guided castle tour, special dinner only for guests stay in their rooms and a gourmet breakfast upon your order. We arrived early in the afternoon, was kindly greeted by the staff and explained clearly all the information you needed to know. Our room was spacious and very nice view of the ocean from our balcony. So nice to see both the sunrise and sunset there. We toured around this historic castle and it’s quite nicely kept. After a short rest, we headed to the ball room for our special dinner. We’re got settled in our seats by the staff and also served with a wine of your choice. It’s a chef inspired four course menu with all local produce. We’re able to meet other guests and have nice chats. The food we’re really delicious and we all enjoyed our dinner. After a nice good sleep, we had our breakfast which we could choose from the menu. My partner and I both had the salmon with bagels. It’s good! Only the coffee was just okay. It’s a nice place to explore, stay and enjoy the food too. Fair price for such a deal. Recommend! #must see #keep in good condition

If you are in Dunedin and are having sweet cravings, I highly recommend that you head down to Jooni’s and grab yourself a dessert of choice from their variety of options! I loved this place because for less than $10 you get a good amount of sugar you need to satisfy your cravings- I got the Jooni’s special crepes and it was amazing! You can even ask them to make minor adjustments for you and they would be happy to! #dessert #yummy #food

This is the coolest place for kids to learn how to ride their scooters and bicycles safely on the road. With this mini road map, it provides a safe, controlled and suitable environment for kids to learn road safety, road signs and the road rules they need to know in order to travel on the main roads safely and confidently. #roadtrackforkids #learnhowto #kidsplayground

Omg this was the coolest thing I have ever come across in a park! A road track for kids! It is a mini traffic area with mini traffic lights that are actually functional and work for both the vehicles and pedestrians. It even has all the right road signs in mini sizes, a roundabout, a zebra crossing, a tunnel, and even a parking area for bicycles or scooters! #fun #cool #playground

When I came across this park that’s literally right next to the St Clair beach, I was almost emotional. This park would have been the perfect place for younger-me and would have made my childhood because the air here just hits different and their fun games are well spaced out so that you each get to play in your own area and every space feels new and different to the last one. they have little caves in the massive rock, and a big shoe that you can climb on and slide down!! #park #fun #playground

If you are ever in Dunedin and wondering about Maori culture and people, head on down to Otago Museum, across the road from Otago university, and climb on up to the first floor where they have a massive room for display of Maori art- in the form of paintings, carvings, and even digital art as shown in the first picture, they showcase different clothing and tools from olden days and they even have a mini cinema where you can seat about 10+ people to enjoy a educational film on Maori people and New Zealand as a country. #museum #culture #history #art #people

At the Otago Museum, the whole building is divided up into various sections whereby they display certain articles based on different groups of culture, race, species, etc. This section of the building focuses on Maori culture and people and it shows the different types of artifacts they have from the olden days, different art that Maori people have created, and Maori traditional attire. #beautiful #culture #maori #museum

The Otago Museum shows the various Polynesian countries from Marquesas to Pitcairn to Easter Island and to Hawaii. I did not even know that some of these countries existed until I entered this museum and found it in the Polynesian section within the Pacific block. It was cool to see how pretty their jewelry was and their beautiful head pieces. #polynesia #culture #heritage

This dairy is just the best one I’ve ever come across in Dunedin. it’s only a few minutes walk from home and only a minute drive away. I love having this dairy so close by because it has all the goodies to satisfy those night cravings, their staff are just the friendliest people who really engage in convo and they’re always down to help you meet your mix and match needs when ordering your dessert✨ #shop #dairy #dessert #sweets

This botanic garden in dunedin is full of wonders! It not only has a wide range of flora and fauna but also provides many spots to sit and rest, many statues to admire, and even has birds and ducks!! They have a pond which hosts the ducks and some fishes and you can go up to their office/store next to the pond and grab bites not only for yourself but for the ducks and fishes too! isnt that amazing? you can sit and feed them and watch them crowd around you. #garden #animals #feeding