Dunedin, popularly known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand has a lot in its store to offer its travelers including Rich heritage, scenic destinations, welcoming people and favorable climate. It assures that its visitors get an amazing and authentic trip to the city. The unique wildlife, penguin species or the Royal Albatross and the exotic beaches along with the mountains cliff form an important part of Dunedin visit.
Visitors are provided with a varied number of things to do in Dunedin which ranges from beautiful sightseeing, free activities, attending events and doing family activities to wild nightlife in bars and fine dining experiences in restaurants with various delicacies. From attending the street art trail to taking tours at pretty beaches and wildlife areas, you will have so many unusual things to do in Dunedin. These activities will make you experience this beautiful city and help you in exploring the place and know deeply about its culture than never before.
Before discussing the best things to do in Dunedin, let’s just first take a look at the best time to visit there.
Best Time To Visit
Dunedin, a heritage and artistic city has many things and events to provide you for every season. The climate is sound during the whole year so, it is up to your own comfort at what time you decide to visit the place. It will provide you warm experience in summers ranging from November to April and a kickass chilling climb to the cliffs and fun of Midwinter Carnival during winters from June to September. But you will never fall short of things to do in Dunedin, no matter when you visit you will always have plenty of things to enjoy.
8 Best Things To Do In Dunedin
Being in Dunedin, and not doing things which are meant for doing there is something which will give you things to regret, so before planning a trip just see these 8 must things to do in Dunedin
1. City Adventure
Dunedin is the heavenly pleasure for the family activities, from the beautiful Otago Museum to teach your kids about the heritage in a beautiful manner to Baldwin street where the steps are to be counted while walking, the city has almost everything to make your tour worth. Roaming around in city will give you the experience of feeding the duck and visiting the dinosaur park on the bikes will provide that amazing vibe of adventure that you and your family have been seeking on this vacation. So don’t forget to ask your tour guide to take your family on this fun trip to experience the day to day amazing life of the city.
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2. Dunedin Street Art Trail
If you have been wondering about what to do free in Dunedin? Then art and heritage is something which Dunedin is fond of making available to people without any charge. Now, that the city is so full of arts, they have added another domain by adding 28 walls in a series taking 90 minutes to walk. These walls have been converted from blank to the beautiful work of art done by different local and international artists.
Taking the walk into this amazing art trail will give you a really vibrant and soul refreshing experience and might instigate the artist in you.
3. Nightlife in Dunedin
From the happening night party at bar and pubs to great casino and fine dining experiences, Dunedin ensures that you don’t sleep at night when you are on a trip. It has its own music incubator for the buzzing partying experience, which has sound bands like The Clean, Sneaky feelings etc. The list of things to do in Dunedin at night is exhaustive with plenty of bars like the Craic, Urban Factory etc. to many casinos, but if you think only party animals have their fun at night so let me clear this misconception by telling you about the theatres like Global theatre, Musical theatre etc which provides you with amazing art experiences to soothe your artistic soul amongst the fun night parties
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4. Midwinter Carnival
Dunedin has family events to offer you in each month of the year, so if you are wondering things to do in Dunedin in winter, then midwinter carnival should be on the top of your bucket list as this annual fest is organized on a Saturday near the winter solstice. Live bands, delicious food, and entertainment are the attractions. The lantern parade is the most beautiful part of the event.
So the winter tour will show you the warm lantern night and give you a lifetime experience.
5. Walk to the Beach
Walking to the beach with your soulmate along with you, while enjoying the rich heritage is one of the best romantic things to do in Dunedin. Dunedin has plenty of beaches in Otago peninsula offering you the exotic species of penguins and the Royal Albatross trip to make your romantic walk happier. Aramoana Beach, Bluesky Bay, Brighton Beach, and many other beaches will provide you not only the romantic sights but also the picnic spots, and many activities like motor camp etc. Long Beach situated in the North of the city has plenty of holiday homes to offer apart from the bird life. It’s a great picnic spot and has swimming facilities available in the calmer surf. Taking a walk along the beach and picnicking there with the site of plenty of flora and fauna species should be another must-do thing in your list.
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6. Explore Dunedin’s Heritage
Yet another from the free things to do in Dunedin for free is taking a tour to explore it’s heritage. This heritage rich and art-loving has few of the most amazing trips to heritage places to give you a sense of love for heritage. From Bank of Dunedin to Dunedin prison, the buildings designed are a view to observe. The Larnach Castle is one such heritage place being the only castle in New Zealand it’s a beautiful heritage site to visit. Dunedin railway station and Otago Church are another such heritage sites supposed to be seen and explored.
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7. Shopping in Dunedin
Shopping in Dunedin will give you another amazing experience to remember. The streets of George and Princes provides you with plenty of fashion boutiques to calm the fashionista in you from acclaimed labels by different designers. The street also offers plenty of bookstores to make available the rich literature that it possesses. Being a culturally rich country, Dunedin has an amazing collection to offer in antiques, retro shops, and vintage fashion shops.
It also has a plenty of art Galleries and workshops to offer artwork from different artists and authentic artisans jewelry, and plenty of shopping centers to provide you with shopping experiences.
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8. Visiting Gardens
Dunedin has plenty of gardens for you from the first ever botanical garden in New Zealand offering a variety of plants, to the Chinese garden which shows the Chinese artwork as paintings, and helps in understanding the history and traditions of China. Another garden which provides the most serene experience is Glenfalloch Woodland Garden and the amazing heritage work Larnach Castle Garden. Plenty of other gardens are also there to provide a wonderful experience.
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Aren’t you excited to do all these activities on your trip and get the most amazing experience? Dunedin has everything to provide to everyone from nightlife for party animals to soul-soothing art and the bookstores and theatres for the old soul. So don’t wait to plan for the trip to New Zealand irrespective of your personality and interest, Dunedin will never disappoint you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Dunedin
What can you do in Dunedin for free?
Apart from the beautiful landscapes, there are many things to do in Dunedin for free which includes visiting the Dunedin Botanic Gardens, the Otago Museum, Dunedin Railway Station, Ross Creek Reservoir and also Royal Albatross Colony.
What can we do in Dunedin?
Some of the best things to do in Dunedin are exploring the marvelous architecture of the Larnach Castle, the Otago Museum, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Taiaroa Head, Dunedin Public Art Gallery and the Dunedin Railway Station.
What is there to do in Dunedin in the winter?
While visiting Dunedin during winter make sure to indulge into activities like visiting the Otago Farmers market, Tunnel Beach, Signal Hill Lookout, Larnach Castle. Apart from that also experience things like bungee jumping and day hiking.
What is Dunedin famous for?
Dunedin is famous for having some of the best Scottish settlement and gold rush which are dated at 1800’s. This place is also known for the Edwardian and Victorian architecture.
Is Dunedin safe?
Dunedin is known for being a safe and low crime-rate city. As per the 2014 New Zealand crime and safety survey, New Zealand is ranked to be the fourth most peaceful country.
What is the cheapest place to live in New Zealand?
Some of the cheapest places to live in New Zealand are Rotorua, Napier/Hastings, Whangarei, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Christchurch and New Plymouth.
What to do in Dunedin when it’s raining?
Some of the best things to do in Dunedin on a rainy day includes a tour to the Otago Museum, The Royal Albatross Centre, Taieri Gorge Railway, Larnach Castle, Dunedin Architecture and Cadbury world. People can also take a brewery tour.
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Anjana is a writer, journalist, and a full-time wallflower. She holds a Master’s degree in Media and Mass Communication and firmly believes that travel blogging is nothing less than art. Combining her love for writing with her passion for globetrotting, she brings to you some amazing tips on traveling perfectly, be it any season of the year! In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to obscure indie bands, and writing poetry – all of this while being a crazy dog lady.
