Dunedin

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Eco-friendly travel guide to Dunedin advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Panoramic view of Dunedin


  • Air quality: 3.5 / 5
  • Exploring by foot: 3.0 / 5
  • Exploring by bicycle: 3.3 / 5
  • Public transportation: 3.8 / 5
  • Parks: 4.0 / 5
  • Outdoor activities: 3.6 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 4.5 / 5
  • Safety: 3.8 / 5
  • Accommodation: US$30 - $150
  • Budget per day: US$45 - $200

Responsible Travel

When we are traveling to a new place, be it a city or a country, we are supposed to respect the place, the people and try our best to give something in return. When we travel to someplace, we expect that we will get a lot of favors and good behavior from the locals, well the locals expect the same from us. Just because we are tourists doesn't mean we can do whatever we want to. We should and are always supposed to give back to the people and the place in whichever way.

Helping the local businesses by buying things from them is an excellent way to help the local community grow. In that way, the people of the place are well dependent on the tourists.

We should also be responsible for not polluting the place. We should make sure we are traveling by bus or walking to places and using the various public dustbins at all times.

Do the following things to have a responsible traveling experience:

  • Whenever possible, purchase things from the local shops.
  • Visit local farmers by visiting them on weekends.
  • If possible, try to donate to charities.
  • Every store in Dunedin will have recycled paper; use them for your paper needs.
  • Use local tour guides and local tourism operators.
  • Use bus and bicycle as much as possible to reduce carbon footprint.

The list is just a few of the many things you can do to help Dunedin's citizens have a better and greener future.


Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality of Dunedin is pretty good. There are days when the air quality can drop down to a moderate level, but more often than not, the air quality is quite good.


Respect the Culture

When tourists visit our native place, we demand that they respect our culture and heritage, so we should do the same when we visit somewhere. It does not matter where we are visiting; our duty is never to harm any local cultural sentiments. We should respect their living. We aren't usually the ones that handle changing it, but accommodate it till we are tourists.

The same goes for Dunedin. Here, the people are extremely proud of their roots, culture, and heritage. They celebrate their culture, specifically their Scottish roots, and have many museums that tell how the local people came to be. This shows how much the people here love their culture and want the people outside their city and county to know about it. As tourists, we are supposed to respect and understand their culture and do things we are expected of. If something isn't allowed in the city due to their culture, we must respect it.


Top 10 Places to Visit

  • Larnach Castle: This is New Zealand's only castle making Larnach Castle a must-visit for all tourists visiting New Zealand. It was built by William Larnach in the 19th century, who made his fortune during the gold rush years of Otago. According to reports, no expense was spared while building this castle. Since Larnach had Scottish roots, he made sure the palace's materials are being made somewhere from that area only: Welsh slate, Venetian glass, Italian marbles, to name a few. However, the story of Larnach and his castle is not all happy. He was very rich and famous, yes, but led an unfortunate life overall. His favorite daughter and wife died very young, leaving Larnach to be extremely sad. These deaths affected him so much that in 1898, he committed suicide. Once he was dead, the castle soon started to fall into decline. The castle was used as a soldier's barrack, mental asylum, and even as a nunnery. But finally, in 1967, the Baker family purchased it and started a huge restoration process to bring it back to its former glory. Today you can visit this beautiful palace and enjoy its grandeur and beauty. The views from the castle are so beautiful that they cannot be explained. It is located 14 kilometers from the city of Dunedin, but the trip is well worth it.
  • Otago Museum: This museum is located in an amazing old heritage building from 1876. It has New Zealand's one of the largest museum collections and has all the information regarding the culture and heritage of New Zealand. Inside the museum, you will find the Tangata Whenua gallery, which showcases the lives of the Maori people living on the south side of the island. If you're someone who loves butterflies or traveling with your child who loves butterflies, the discovery world exhibition is where you need to be. It is a butterfly-filled rainforest where you will find hundreds of species of butterflies. You or the children can easily get close to the butterflies in this exhibition. Apart from an exhibition for butterflies, there are also other exhibitions and galleries devoted to nature, geology, and the Pacific people. There is also a people of the world exhibit where there are artifacts and items from all over the world. This exhibition also contains an Egyptian mummy. You will find guided tour options in this museum for people visiting for the first time. There is also a cafe inside for you to take a rest and eat something.
  • Dunedin Botanic Garden: If you want to do something outdoors in Dunedin yet relax at the same time, the Dunedin Botanic garden is the place to be. Established in 1863, this is New Zealand's first Botanic Garden. In this garden, you will find 6,800 different species of plants. You will find plants here from all over the world. All of this is located on a huge 30-hectare hilltop. There's a section called the Rhododendron Dell, which covers an area of about 4 hectares. It is located in the Southeast corner of the garden and is truly beautiful to see when the flowers bloom in August and October. If you want to relax and walk, the botanical garden provides an amazing experience. A few routes in the garden are extremely beautiful, like the Tree Trail and the Volcano Trail. There is also a Winter Garden Glasshouse designed in the Edwardian style, which is also a must-visit. If you want to visit a traditional tea house, make sure you visit the Lan Yuan Chinese Garden.
  • Toitu Otago Settlers Museum: If you want to know New Zealand people's history, then this museum is where you need to be. The museum holds the various stories and events which happened to the people of Otago. From the first Maori to the Settlers who came in the 19th century to now the modern era. The museum showcases the timeline and how the story weaves from early to today's modern era. The whole story of how Dunedin emerged, how the Scottish people settled here, Otago's Goldrush's story, how and when Dunedin became New Zealand's most important commercial hub; all of these are shown using lights and music with an Excellent multimedia display. A gallery called the encounters gallery shows how the local tribe of Maori met with the settlers and whalers for the first time. On the other hand, a gallery called the smith gallery has a huge collection of Otago Pioneers' portraits. You can also hire a tour guide in this museum. If you're hungry and need to rest, there is also an onsite cafe.
  • Taiaroa Head & The Royal Albatross Centre: The Taiaroa head and its wildlife reserve and the Royal Albatross center all lie on top of the Otago Peninsula. The Rocky cliffs are home to red-billed gulls, a huge colony of royal albatross, royal spoonbills, southern fur seals, and rare Stewart Island Shag. A very interesting fact about this place is that it is the world's only mainland breeding place of Royal Albatross. If you visit this place, the tour allows you to look at these beautiful birds up close and marvel at their beauty. This is the place to be if you love nature and birds in general. Moreover, there's a beach near Pilots Beach, where you will find a small colony of blue Penguins, which is a sight to behold.
  • Dunedin Public Art Gallery: New Zealand's one of the most premier art galleries. This place has a lot of artwork by the local artists. You will also see that the paintings range from the early colonial age to the present time. You will also find that the art gallery has a lot of international artworks. Among the international artworks you will find, Japanese prints, paintings by Machiavelli and Turner, and it also has New Zealand's only Monet. In this museum, you will also find a gallery that displays various glass objects, ceramics, and textiles. There is also a huge collection of paintings by Frances Hodgkins, who is a Dunedin-born artist. In the 20th century, he became well renowned during the neo-romantic art movement which happened in England. Apart from Frances, another artist who is a native of Dunedin should also be mentioned whose work on ethnography and bone art is also on display in the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery.
  • Dunedin Railway Station: Built in the Edwardian Baroque style by George Troup in 1904, it made the beautiful railway station such that the building incorporates Neo-Gothic design. Initially, the building was made fun of because of its gingerbread style; later on, people realized how beautiful and important this building actually is. Hence the builder was soon knighted for his work, and now the station is considered Dunedin's one of most important and celebrated architecture. The station's exterior is built using limestone and dark basalt, which creates a chequered-like appearance and a lot of ornate detailing. When it comes to the building's interior, it comprises balustrades, colonnades, and Mosaic paintings. The station is in use till today. If you want to go to Taieri George, you need to catch a train from this station. This station also has a Hall of Fame regarding New Zealand sports, so it's a must-visit for rugby and cricket fans. Every weekend you will also see a farmer's Market in this station.
  • Port Chalmers: Named after Dr. Thomas Chalmers, who is one of the founders of Free Church of Scotland, located 12km north of the city of Dunedin, is a deep water harbor. It is a very famous hub for artists, along with it you will also find a lot of private art galleries and a lot of cafes. It's exactly from this place in 1844 that the colonization of Ortego began. It is also from this harbor that Shackleton, Byrd, and Scott began their Antarctic expeditions. There is also a Scott memorial that commemorates Captain Scott, who sailed to his last expedition in 1910 from Port Chalmers. There is also a Seafaring Museum which previously used to be a post office. This museum portrays the history of the port and the pioneers who settled in Otago.
  • Olveston Historic Home: David Theomin, a local philanthropist and an avid collector, built this home in 1906 as his own residence. The Architect who built this home, Sir George Ernest, designed this house using inspiration from the English art and Crafts movement. He used Moeraki Pebbles and North Otago Limestone. If you go inside the house, you will notice the brilliant and astounding collection of artifacts from all around the world, particularly from east Asia. You will notice that there are a lot of artifacts from China and Japan. If you look more closely inside the house, you will notice many different types of artworks hanging all over the house. You can book a guided tour where you will be explained what each artwork refers to.
  • Tunnel Beach: If you are looking for a relaxing seaside hike, the sandstone cliffs of Tunnel beach are perfect for that. This wind-whipped coastline, located just south of the central city, is surrounded by a rocky headline of arches and high cliffs. These cliffs have been carved by the winds and the sea over thousands of years. Around 1870, a tunnel was created so that there is easy access to a small beach. The tunnel is still in use today. To access the route through the tunnel, you need to climb down a few stairs and climb back up. Now climbing up and down is not an issue, but the stairs can be pretty slippery. So it would be best if you were extra careful. Once you are there, you will be starstruck by the amazing view of the ocean.
Larnach Castle


Explore

When it comes to exploring Dunedin, there is no shortage of options. There are plenty of Museums, beaches, and monuments. This place thrives on showcasing how the people, culture, and heritage of Dunedin came to be. So to know what you can explore here in Dunedin, keep reading.


City Parks

Dunedin is a city that is a modern city in every right and has a lot of greenery. Hence there are a lot of parks in the city. In these parks, people of all ages can come to visit. Young people come to play whereas older adults come to take a walk or rest. Almost all the time, someone or the other visits these city parks, making them a very happening place. Tourists can and should visit these parks if they are looking to rewind after a day of traveling around. Other than that, these city parks are also great sightseeing places. So here are a few city parks that everyone should visit:

  • Bathgate Park
  • Bethune's Gully
  • Dunedin Botanic Garden
  • Dunedin Chinese Garden
  • Dunedin Town Belt
  • Hotere Garden Oputae
  • Kensington Oval, Dunedin
  • Logan Park, Dunedin
  • Queens Gardens, Dunedin
  • Sunnyvale Park
  • Tonga Park
  • Woodhaugh Gardens
Greenhouse in Dunedin Botanic Garden


National Parks

The city of Dunedin has a lot of National parks. Let's see a few of them:

  • Otago Peninsula
  • The Royal Albatross Centre
  • Tunnel Beach Track
  • Penguin Place
  • Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
  • Dunedin Botanic Garden
  • Sandfly Bay Track
  • Dunedin Chinese Garden
  • Aramoana Beach
  • St Clair Beach
  • Organ Pipes Track
  • Karitane Beach
  • Glenfalloch Gardens Cafe and Restaurant
  • Dunedin Beach
  • Ross Creek
  • Discovery World Tropical Forest
  • Chingford Park
  • Okia Reserve
  • Long Beach
  • Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell
Okia Reserve


Beaches

New Zealand being an island, is covered by water all around. So it is quite a given that Dunedin, a city in New Zealand, will also have many beaches, and that is indeed the fact. To experience the best of Dunedin, you must visit the following beaches:

  • St Kilda / St Clair Beach
  • Second Beach
  • Tunnel Beach
  • Blackhead / Waldronville Beach
  • Brighton Beach
  • Taieri Mouth Beach
  • The Otago Peninsula
  • Tomahawk Beach
  • Smails Beach
  • Boulder Beach
  • Sandfly Bay
  • Allans Beach
  • Victory Beach
  • The Harbour Side
  • Macandrew Bay Beach
  • Broad Bay Beach
  • Harrington Point Beach
  • Pilots Beach
  • Dunedin's Northern Coastline
  • Aramoana Beach
  • Kaikai Beach
  • Murdering Beach
  • Long Beach
  • Purakaunui Beach
  • Canoe Beach
  • Doctors Point Beach
  • Warrington Beach
  • Karitane Beach
  • Waikouaiti Beach
Brighton Beach


Landmarks

Like every city worldwide, Dunedin also has some major landmarks, which are a must-visit for any tourist. If you do not visit the city's most famous landmarks, you will never understand the essence of the city. Here are a few must-visit landmarks:

  • Larnach Castle & Gardens
  • The Royal Albatross Centre
  • Olveston Historic Home
  • Baldwin Street: The Steepest Street in the World
  • Signal Hill
  • Natures Wonders Naturally
  • The Octagon
  • Organ Pipes Track
  • University of Otago
  • Paul's Cathedral
  • First Church of Otago
  • Forsyth Barr Stadium
  • Robert Burns Statue
  • Knox Church
  • St Joseph's Cathedral
  • John Wilson Drive
  • Flagstaff lookout and Hotere Garden
  • Mount Cargill Walk
  • University Oval
  • Robert Scott Memorial
  • Dunedin High And District Court
  • JA 1274 Steam Train
  • Unity Park Lookout
  • Dunedin Town Hall
  • Northern Cemetery
  • Sir Leonard Wright Lookout
  • Edgar Centre
  • Harrington Point
  • Harbour Molars
  • Otago Peninsula Fallen Soldiers' Memorial
Royal Albatross Centre


Museums

Dunedin is a city that is extremely proud of its culture and heritage, and rightfully so. From early settlers to how the city is like today, there are many changes and progress. To understand Dunedin's story, you must visit these museums because Dunedin and New Zealand's whole history is recorded in them. Here are a few must-visit museums:

  • Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
  • Otago Museum
  • The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery
  • Dunedin Public Art Gallery
  • Otago Peninsula Museum and Historical Society
  • Dunedin Gasworks Museum
  • New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
  • Otago Art Society
  • Dunedin Street Art
  • Fletcher House
  • Beverly-Begg Observatory
  • FE29 Gallery
  • Gallery De Novo
  • Milford Galleries
  • Happy Hens
  • Gasworks Forge
  • The Flying Whale
  • Quadrant Gallery
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum


Eat

One of the many reasons people visit new places is to try the various delicacies of the place. People travel the whole world to eat food from different places, so when you are visiting Dunedin, it is a must that you must try their local cuisines. You will find many multicuisine restaurants in Dunedin serving food from all over the world, but to truly travel a place, you must truly have the experience which the locals have; and one such experience is to have the local food. So here is a list of a few local foods which you must try:

  • Hangi
  • Crayfish
  • Kina
  • Kiwi Burger
  • Jaffas
  • Pavlova
  • L&P
  • Whitebait Fritters
  • Manuka Honey
  • Kumara
  • Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
  • Paua
  • Roast Lamb
  • Savoury Pies
  • Fish & Chips
  • Southland Cheese Rolls


Traditional Local Restaurants

There are a lot of traditional local restaurants which serve lip-smacking local food. Here is a list:

  • Nova
  • Ironic Café
  • Two Chefs
  • Plato
  • Scotia
  • 7 Balmac
  • Bacchus
  • Esplanade
  • 1908
  • Etrusco


Vegetarian and Vegan

There are a lot of locals in Dunedin who are Vegetarian. Dunedin isn't a country where 100% of the people are non-vegetarians; hence it is quite normal that you will also find restaurants that serve 100% Vegetarian food. Since many tourists visit Dunedin, the restaurant owners also cannot afford to have just non-vegetarian options. Here is a list of some amazing vegetarian restaurants:

  • Etrusco at the Savoy
  • Potpourri Vegetarian Cafe
  • 1908 Cafe Restaurant
  • The Perc Cafe
  • Glenfalloch Garden Cafe and Restaurant
  • Ironic Cafe and Bar
  • The Good Oil Cafe
  • The Good Earth Cafe
  • Speight's Alehouse
  • Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant
  • Paasha
  • Vogel St Kitchen
  • Vault 21
  • Gaslight Restaurant
  • Esplanade Restaurant
  • Spirit House Dunedin
  • Nova
  • Golden Harvest Restaurant
  • The Corner Store
  • The Kitchen Table Cafe and Bake
  • Starfish Cafe and Bar
  • Zucchini Bros
  • Thai Hanoi Restaurant
  • Plato
  • Buddha Stix Restaurant & Bar
  • Del Sol
  • Precinct Food
  • Ballroom Cafe at Larnach Castle
  • Two Chefs Bistro

The whole world is slowly starting to become Vegan. We mean, if you can get food which tastes exactly like meat but doesn't harm any animal, why wouldn't you go for it? Hence there are a lot of restaurants now in Dunedin which serve amazing vegan food; let's take a quick look:

  • Burger Plant
  • Kind Company
  • Let Them Eat Vegan
  • Potpourri Vegetarian Cafe
  • Watson's Eatery
  • Woof!
  • Alley Cantina
  • Beam Me Up Bagels
  • Beam Me Up Bagels - City
  • Buddha Stix
  • Buster Green
  • Carey's Bay Historic Hotel
  • Dog With Two Tails
  • Esplanade
  • Formosa Delight
  • Harbourside Grill
  • Hell Pizza - North
  • Hell Pizza - South
  • Heritage Coffee
  • Horopito Cafe
  • Jizo Japanese Cafe & Bar
  • La Porchetta
  • Mamacita Taqueria
  • Modaks Espresso
  • Morning Magpie
  • Precinct Food
  • Project Wellness
  • Salt
  • Spirit House
  • Takeaway on Marlow


Street Food

To truly understand the essence of a country or city's local food, you have to try their street food. The thing with most good restaurants is that they tend to change the local cuisine's actual recipe to accommodate tourists. Some food can be very hot if you are not a local and used to the spices; hence, chefs make them less hot to enjoy. Although by no means is that a bad thing, the local cuisine's true essence gets lost in this process. To truly understand how a place's local cuisine tastes, you have to try their street food. Because on the streets, you will get it how it is meant to be.


Drink

For tourists who love to drink, be it cocktails or mocktails, do not worry; there is an abundance of options in Dunedin. If you are looking to have alcohol, make sure you are 21 years or older and carrying age proof. It is best if you are carrying a photocopy of your Passport as address proof in international places. Do not carry your original Passport.

Here are a few must-visit places to have a drink or two:

  • Pequeño Lounge Bar
  • Vault 21
  • Toast Bar
  • Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar
  • Carey's Bay Historic Hotel
  • Luna Bar and Restaurant
  • The Portsider
  • The Taproom - Emerson's Brewery
  • Lone Star Cafe & Bar
  • Starfish Cafe & Bar


Tap-water

According to the latest reports, a huge amount of lead has been found in Dunedin's water supply. The Government has asked people not to cook or drink tap water for the time being. We don't know when the situation will be fixed, but it's better to be on the safe side; we, as tourists, do not indulge in tap water. There are various different varieties of packaged water available for drinking in every shop all around the city. We can easily buy and have them during our trip.


Organic Cafés

More and more cities are slowly going green and taking care of the environment by taking multiple initiatives. Opening up organic cafes is such an initiative. Dunedin has multiple organic cafes that are famous, but they are also doing pretty good business. Let us see a few must-visit organic cafes:

  • Ohana Cafe
  • The Green Table Restaurant
  • Dunedin Vegan Deli
  • Nature's Food Patch Market & Café
  • Kara Lynn's Kitchen
  • Organic Life Coffeehouse And Bakery
  • The Black Pearl
  • Good Vibes Juice
  • The Living Room on Main
  • Heidi's Feel Good Foods


Breweries

Everyone now and then wants to crack open a cold one and enjoy his other beer with friends. Considering how you will be traveling a lot, visiting places, having a beer to rewind is not the worst idea in the world; some may even consider it to be a very good idea. So if you are in the city of Dunedin and you are looking for breweries, here are a few options:

  • Woodwright Brewing Company
  • Cueni Brewing Co.
  • 7venth Sun Brewery
  • Dunedin Brewery
  • Dunedin House of Beer
  • Caledonia Brewing
  • Soggy Bottom Brewing Co.


Activities

Dunedin is a city that has the perfect balance of natural and human-made. There is no shortage of activities that can be done here, the crowning gem of the Otago region. Let's see some of the most famous activities:

  • Hare Hill Horse Treks
  • Visiting Signal Hill
  • Nature's Wonders Naturally
  • Visiting Speight's Brewery
  • Traveling in Taieri Gorge Railway
  • Visiting Larnach Castle
  • Visiting Otago Museum
  • Drive, Walk, or Tour the Otago Peninsula with Elm


Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is extremely beneficial for your body, and everyone knows this. What everyone doesn't know is how yoga can be extremely beneficial, specifically during tours. When we are touring somewhere, we engage in many activities that can leave us sore and tired, both mentally and physically. To recover for the next day, you need to rest, but rest does not always cut it. Yes, physically, you will be recharged after resting, but what about mentally? That's exactly where yoga comes in. Not only does yoga keep you fit enough to go through a whole day of exploration, but it also keeps you mentally balanced. Now, if you are in Dunedin and looking for places to practice yoga, here are a few top places:

  • The Dunedin Yoga Studio
  • Aurora on George
  • Iyengar Yoga Dunedin
  • Utopian Yoga
  • Studio Tula
  • Akasha Yoga & Holistic


Accommodation

When you visit a place where you live, it is imperative. It is not only because you keep all your valuables there and if you are not living in a safe place your security can be compromised but also because of other factors; the most important being is the place where you rest and relaxes for the next day. If you cannot sleep peacefully and relax properly, you won't be in a good mood for touring the next day. Hence your whole trip can get ruined. To prevent something like that from happening in Dunedin, we have compiled a list of hotels that are the best in the city:

  • The Victoria Hotel Dunedin
  • Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
  • Law Courts Hotel
  • Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
  • Leviathan Hotel
  • The Chamberson Hotel
  • Distinction Dunedin Hotel
  • Hotel St Clair
  • Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge
  • Fable Dunedin


Green Hotels

There are also a lot of green hotels in the city of Dunedin. Dunedin and New Zealand as a whole are very much into the whole sustainable environment and green initiative. Hence it is no surprise that they have opened up a lot of Green Hotels.

  • Best Western Dunedin
  • Bluestone on George
  • Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
  • Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge


Hostels and Guest Houses

Dunedin also has several Hostels where people can share rooms and live for cheap.

  • Chalet Backpackers
  • Manor House Backpackers
  • On Top Backpackers
  • Leviathan Hotel
  • Globe House
  • Central Backpackers Dunedin
  • Superior Dunedin Apartments

Dunedin also has guest houses for people who are looking for a bed and breakfast.

  • English Ave
  • Highland House Boutique Hotel
  • Sahara Guest House
  • The Bird Hide - rustic luxury by the water
  • Big & Bright Guest House
  • The Stables Dunedin
  • Inner City Apartment
  • Botanic Gardens View
  • Tiny House in the Sky


Apartments

In case you need to live in Dunedin for a long period of time, having an apartment on rent is the smarter way to go. Hotels can get expensive, especially if you are looking to stay for a long time. So if you decide you can cook your own food and wash your own clothes, there's no reason to stay in a hotel. Apartments can be cheaper, and overall much better than a hotel. You'll need to let go of some comfort, yes, but you'll gain a lot of freedom. It'll be like having a second home, away from home.

A few apartments in Dunedin city are:

  • Hadley Close
  • Beautiful Panoramic views
  • Sycamore Villa, 2 bedroom apartment
  • The Terminus
  • Roslyn Sanctuary Hereford St Dunedin
  • Heriot Lane City Apartments
  • The Hydro Esplanade Apartments
  • Majestic Mansions – Apartments at St Clair
  • Montecillo Lane


Couchsurfing

There is an online community that is making a lot of noise lately, called the couchsurfing.com community. In this community, you can make a lot of friends who are all into this concept. Then using this community, you can visit places and get places to live in. This has a lot of followers in Dunedin.


Camping

Camping is very much possible in Dunedin and is done by locals and tourists alike. The Warrington Domain and the Ocean View Recreation Reserve are two well-known camping spots.


How to Get There

There are a lot of ways to get inside Dunedin. You can enter via plane, car, train, and even bus. Being an Island, you can also enter New Zealand via ship. This makes entering Dunedin pretty easy because of the number of options you have.


Air

Dunedin has an International airport that caters to both domestic and international flights. The airport is well connected with the rest of the world, hence traveling to Dunedin via plane will not be an issue.

The airport is located 30km from the city. There are many taxis and shuttles available right outside the airport, which you can use to travel to the city.

Dunedin International Airport


Bus

You can be in any city in New Zealand, and you can enter Dunedin via a bus. Dunedin is well connected via roads to the rest of New Zealand. There are a lot of local bus companies which you can use to enter Dunedin.

A bus in Dunedin


Train

Unfortunately for tourists, there is no longer a regular long-distance train available to enter Dunedin. There are trains which take the scenic route to enter the city, but those are not your usual trains. Those trains are more like a tour, an activity.


Hitchhiking

It is possible to enter Dunedin via Hitchhiking, but it is not suggested at all. Many good people in this world will help you enter the city if you are stuck somewhere. Although on the other hand, many bad people in this world might rob you or do something even worse. So it is always advisable not to hitchhike unless you have no other option available.


Others

Among other options to enter Dunedin, you can enter via a car or ship. If you are in some other New Zealand city, you can easily rent a car and a driver along with it, if you don't know how to drive, and enter the city via a car. The time required for you to enter the city will depend on how far you are.

You can also enter the city via ship. There are a lot of passenger ships available all around the world which travel to New Zealand. You can take any of those shops and come to Dunedin.


Moving Around

Moving around is rather very simple in Dunedin. You have a lot of options, and the city is also not very huge. Overall moving around is actually quite simple.


Walk

Walking is an excellent way to move around the city. Dunedin's weather remains pleasant all year round, so whenever you visit, you will see that walking won't be a problem. The city is also not that big, so you can actually visit various Landmarks by just walking.


Bicycle

There are a lot of stores in Dunedin where you can rent a bicycle for a day. After that, you can easily travel the whole city and visit various Landmarks. This is also a very sustainable way of traveling.


Electronic Vehicles

The concept of Electric cars has slowly started to take its place in Dunedin. In Early 2021, Dunedin's first station was set up, and soon we'll see more charging stations and electric cars on the roads of Dunedin.


Public Bus

There is a bus service available in Dunedin which you can use. You can use the bus service to visit various attractions the city has to offer. You can also use the bus service to travel to other cities.


Tram, Train and Subway

  • There are cable tram services available in Dunedin.
  • There are no suburban train services available in Dunedin.
  • There are no Subways available in Dunedin.


Sustainable Shopping

There are a few places that offer a sustainable shopping experience:

  • EcoShackNZ
  • EcoWarehouse
  • The Green Collective
  • The Cruelty-Free Shop
  • Oh Natural
  • Green Elephant


Food Markets

  • Otago Farmers Market
  • Indian Food Mart
  • Harbour Fish
  • Grocery King
  • New World Centre City
  • Origin Fresh Food Store (Blue Water Products Ltd.)
  • Otago Farmers Market, Every Saturday Morning
  • City Mini Market Central
  • Bin Inn Dunedin
  • Countdown Dunedin Central


Flea Markets

  • Oldsmar Flea Market
  • Gunn Highway Flea Market
  • St Pete Indie Market
  • Dragon Flea Market
  • Swap Shop
  • Indie Flea
  • Picker Place Vintage Market
  • International Flea Market


Second Hand Stores

  • Shop on Carroll
  • Restore
  • Arkwright's Traders
  • Support Opportunity Shop
  • Paper Bag Princess
  • Weirs Furniture
  • Toffs Secondhand Clothing
  • AA Traders


Eco-Fashion

The eco-fashion trend has hit Dunedin's city, and more and more companies are doing whatever they can to make sure they can sustain this trend. This trend is significant in a sustainable environment towards which the New Zealand government is very interested.


Recycling

The Government is trying its best to have an excellent recycling system where little to no waste is going to any landfill. They are also trying to use recyclable materials as a resource.


Waste

The Government is working a lot to have a very efficient waste management system, and they are succeeding on this front.


Work and Study Abroad

There is a lot of work available in Dunedin. Search on the internet for your relevant field, upload your cv and apply for a job!

When it comes to studying abroad in Dunedin, there are a lot of opportunities available. The University of Otago is an excellent option for international students.


Exchange Student

The concept of an exchange student is very much available in Dunedin, specifically at the University of Otago. You need to check whether your university allows exchange students and whether it allows the exchange to take place with a university from Dunedin or not and vice versa.


Au Pair

The concept of Au pair is not that prevalent in Dunedin as of yet.


Volunteering

There are usually a lot of volunteering options available in Dunedin. Just keep searching and looking on the Internet.


See Also