The Otago Peninsula boasts a magnificent landscape, with breathtaking views of both the waterfront and the mountains. Visitors can admire a diverse range of wildlife, including penguins and sea lions, in their natural habitat without the confinement of cages or gates. The area is easily accessible and provides ample opportunities for exploring, such as visiting New Zealand's only castle or taking a leisurely drive to soak in the stunning scenery.
On a good sunny day, a beautiful scenic drive to Portabello township or further.
Respect the locals and support the local businesses.
Neil Taimalie — Google review
There are multiple places on the roadway to sit and view the amazing place. People also love running through the edge of the road and the view is extraordinary on the sunset
Md Ahsanul Kabir — Google review
If you get the chance to come for a drive then you must do so.
The views are incredible and well worth the afternoon (or even full day) you will spend driving, walking looking & photographing.
True New Zealand.
Andrew Gosbell — Google review
I happened to be there early winter . Stayed at Airbnb with one of the house along the coast, if you can call it coast . The sight is so lovely . Walk a little further up and you will see the sea lions without gates and cages . Lovely place . Easy to get around to the only castle in New Zealand or back to town on main land
JO Sze — Google review
The peninsula is a drive out of the city. Once you hit Portabello road you can follow it around the peninsula. There is plenty of things to look at or to do. Larnach Castle is located nearby which gives beautiful views of the peninsula when not cloudy. There is also the penguin and albatross centers. located deep in the peninsula. Portabello seems to be the biggest town in the area with cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
There are quite a few walking trails as well. We went down to Sandfly bay which wasn't too difficult and had quite a few seals basking on the beach.
It might be a good idea to have some sort of a plan to save driving along the same stretch of scenic coast. The upper roads are also quite scenic.
Benedict Uy — Google review
A very beautiful and quiet place in Dunedin. The drive from Dunedin is breathtaking and you already enjoy a lot of scenic views before reaching this place. The road is not paved at the end so it is wise to take a 4x4 ride but still a sedan has no issue. There is no shop or drinking water so you should have drinking water and snacks with you. You are literally at the end of the world here as there is nothing in front of you but Antarctica very far away. I would say it is a must visit place if you are in Dunedin.
Muhammad Ali Hashmi — Google review
Nice drive for the views. Unfortunately due to bollards erected all the way to the end there is absolutely nowhere to stop along the way. Lighthouse at end cannot be accessed as it’s in conservation area. Really disappointing drive..
The Dunedin Railway Station is an iconic 1906 building famed for its Flemish Renaissance architecture, mosaic floors and stained glass. It's a popular tourist attraction with around 1.7 million passenger movements a year.
While at Port Chalmers, we opted for a shuttle to venture into Dunedin. Along the way, the Dunedin Railways Station immediately captured our attention, standing out as we passed by en route to the Octagon. Despite its modest size, the architectural splendor of this building is truly remarkable.
The exterior is adorned with a vibrant garden that harmoniously complements its design, creating a picturesque setting. Upon entering, we were further impressed by the grandeur of the main interior. The wheelchair-accessible main entrance facilitated our initial exploration, yet we encountered a limitation at the double-leaf back door, which was only partially opened toward the railway. This restriction hindered our ability to fully circumnavigate the station and appreciate the view of the railway from the rear. We managed to find our way to see the railway by passing through the side entrance.
Roger Vino — Google review
The architecture of this historic railway station is stunning, from the floor tiles to the glass windows and high ceilings. There's not much to do there but it is definitely a must-see in Dunedin if you're interested in architecture.
Alan Yap — Google review
A must see.
Well kept gardens surround this old Dunedin Railway station building.
As you walk through the station,following the stairs upwards and looking down one can't help but reflect on the past and feel the excitement of hustle and bustle of commuters in times gone by.
Wow what a journey they must have had with so many stories to tell.
Jeanz — Google review
Within this place we visited a small museum and sat for a drink. A huge loc was inside to be able to enter. The location in itself was okay but the view outside was not so special.
Robin de Bruin — Google review
Beautiful railway station worth a visit if you’re in Dunedin.
Sam & Nikita Seth — Google review
Dunedin, the stunning city in the south of New Zealand, is an absolute playground for explorers like me! I adore strolling through this town on foot, uncovering charming cafes, lush parks, epic hiking & cycling trails, and the jaw dropping Victorian & Edwardian homes that exude architectural brilliance. Nestled near the coast and surrounded by majestic mountains, Dunedin is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. Trust me, this city is a trendy haven waiting to be explored. ⭐
Nadia de la Cruz — Google review
Beautiful place going through some facade renovation. Hence, did not get chance to click the pictures outside.
It reminds of the historic importance of rail transportation.
Observe the main hall with beautiful tiles and design.
These long tracks connecting one station to other around the places.
Ravish M — Google review
Historic Dunedin Railway Station provides a glimpse of its former glory, meticulously maintained and now reimagined as the Art Station. Very popular with tourists, and train lovers, exquisite interior design, friendly staff and clean amenities makes for a pleasant visit. Nice gift shop too. Highly recommended 10/10
Mozinoz_ Digital — Google review
This visit brought back nostalgic memories of the old South Africa, when there were still trains running and taking a trip with the family just for fun was easy and very cheap.
Louis Erasmus — Google review
Dunedin Railway Station
Visited on 2/2/2019
The Dunedin Railway Station is a magnificent architecture. It was built in 1906.
It is like returning to the past, and do not expect the station to be like a modern train station of contemporary design with modern furniture, but with ornate interiors and period adornments, including the mosaic porcelein floor tiles of the booking hall.
In front of the train station is a beatiful garden known as the Anzac Square Gardens (see separate entry in Google Maps).
Otago Farmers Market is held at the carpark adjacent to the station every Saturday.
Sin Fong Chan — Google review
You're in Dunedin and you didn't go to the railway station, you missed out.
The Larnach Castle is a beautiful Scottish-style grand estate that's open for tours. The building and gardens are impressive, but the real highlight of this attraction is the peace and tranquility it provides in the city centre.
Interesting attraction with great views of the surrounding coastline from the top of the castle. Quirky room decorations and great historical information. Gardens are a pleasure to walk around. The cafe in the ballroom has very reasonably priced cakes and slices and good coffee and tea. Ballroom cafe was a delight with 3 open fireplaces and Christmas decorations and wreaths.
Matthew Mills — Google review
An interesting place to visit if you like old architecture and history.
- Ticket price for the castle and garden for adults is 37$ , children 5-14 is 12$.
- Ticket for family of 2 adults and 4 children (5-14) is 86$.
- Garden only : adults $18.50, $5 for children (5-14).
The castle is large with many rooms, each room has many antique items of different styles, they are well preserved. Up on the roof top of the castle you will have a beautiful view and cover the surrounding scenery. Garden in winter little flowers, good walk around. It's on the way to see penguins and albatross.
Souvenir shop inside the castle right at the exit door with many interesting items.
Chloe Dang — Google review
It was so cool to see a real castle! Only bought the garden ticket to look around outdoors but you can buy the garden and castle tickets to see inside the castle too. So many different areas to explore on the castle grounds and the map and information provided at the ticket booth were very helpful.
Joanna B — Google review
Such a beautiful place and worth going out of your way to visit. Take your time, see every room, and go all the way to the tower. The cafe has good food at a reasonable price. I had the scone and was very impressed. The gardens are lovely and great for a stroll.
Dave Waddling — Google review
After a bit of a drive up the mountains you find this beautiful estate. As a builder I was impressed with the detailed use of locally sourced timber for the construction. The garden impresses everyone and make sure you leave to have afternoon tea in the dining room. Fun to visit.
Keith Roberts — Google review
Frankly the “Castle” isn’t much to see, and technically this is more a castle looking fancy house than a real castle base on its size and history. The surrounding garden and vegetation are actually more impressive than the building itself, but I do recommend coming over in good weather, and preferably in spring or summer so u can enjoy most of the amazing plants.
Carl K — Google review
We absolutely loved our stay at Larnach Castle. We would definitely stay again. Their staff are lovely, the room was great with a super comfy bed. Dinner in the castle was fabulous we loved meeting other travellers and the 4 course meal was divine. Breakfast in the ballroom was perfect too. As for the castle itself it's truly amazing so many details in every room, I could have spent much longer looking around and learning about the history of the castle.
I highly recommend visiting and staying at Larnach Castle.
Kerrie Gurney — Google review
Definitely worth a visit when in Dunedin! Pretty expensive but understandable with the ongoing renovations and upkeep required. Very interesting history of the original & current owners. Take your time as you’ll miss details if you rush.
Great to end the tour in the ballroom cafe but again pricing is a little higher than a regular cafe.
Make sure you take a look around the grounds too & catch the view out to the peninsula and from the tower!
Janita Patrick — Google review
Simply majestical and definitely worth the price to go in. Such an impressive and beautiful building, every room takes your breath away. The views are stunning. So much to see and walk through and explore, expect to spend a good part of a day there.
Leanna Marsh — Google review
Amazing place, they are restoring and the entry money goes towards this. Very nice gardens with some awesome views. The castle itself is interesting and very informative.
There are maps with information that are really handy.
There's a baby change room in the toilets which is really helpful. If you have a baby, you'll want to take a baby carrier not a pram to be able to see everywhere.
Michael Engemann — Google review
Stayed in the stables rooms. Shared bathroom and showers. A bit noisy at when other guests were showering. Breakfast was a feast, with full cooked breakfast , or pancakes, and continental buffet.
We had dinner at the castle, which must be booked in advance. Four course menu served in one of the rooms in the castle. Lovely atmosphere and excellent food.
Fiona Wells-Lakeland — Google review
Came here on my last trip to Dunedin and did not disappoint.
From the well kept Gardens and grounds to the actual Castle itself I was in awe of how well they have restored this building.
With plenty of information around you can get a real insight to how the original owners lived their day to day lives.
If exploring Dunedin this is a must!
Kyle Porter — Google review
Not many opportunities to visit a castle in New Zealand so had to give this a visit when I was in Dunedin. A lot of interesting history on the different parts of the castle plus a very beautiful garden to boot. Definitely worth a visit.
Jonathan Luo — Google review
I've been to Larnach Castle before and it is a nice stop when you're out on the peninsula to see the penguins or the albatrosses. It is a grand building with an interesting history perched with amazing views of the bay. It looks larger than it really is but it will take some time to make it through as there is a fair about of information and history. The grounds are also beautiful and you should plan to take your time to explore. At the end stop by the cafe for a little refreshment and enjoy the ambience of the ballroom. I've visited in the summer and winter and enjoyed it regardless of the season.
Jeffrey Yen — Google review
Larnach Castle is an incredible experience that anyone visiting the South Island of New Zealand should not miss. The history, architecture, and the views from the castle are breathtaking. The castle is beautifully maintained, and the guided tours are informative and engaging. The gardens are also stunning and well worth exploring. There are restaurants and cafes on the property, making it a perfect spot to spend the whole day. Overall, a must-see attraction that will leave you in awe of New Zealand's fascinating history and beauty. Highly recommended!
Gary Mitchell — Google review
What a beautiful experience viewed this beautifully restored castle first, went through the lovely gift shop, stopped at the Cafe for a little break, where there was a delicious assortment of food and beverages. We then proceeded to walk around the beautiful garden with spectacular view of the rolling hills and the sea.
Les Sterling — Google review
Special experience... "original" equipped castle at ...no at Scotland but at New Zealand :). Sleeping in - even more special. Beautiful view and more beautiful gardens.
Blanka Mavrič (enablanka) — Google review
Larnach Castle in Dunedin is an absolute gem worth exploring. Make sure not to miss the charming gardens - take a stroll and admire the stunning views of Otago Harbour along with the quirky sculptures and hidden treasures. Although the castle itself may be compact, it's beautifully preserved, offering a glimpse into Victorian-era living. It's an affordable and enriching experience, perfect for immersing yourself in history and educating children. Plus, there's a touch of creepiness to it all, adding an extra layer to the adventure!
Olga B — Google review
We come from the land of castles, have visited quite a few, and didn't expect a great deal, however I ended up impressed, despite myself.
Some really interesting gardens, a rich man's folly, with a sad family history, and an impressive tale of restoration and hunting down historical items to return them to the castle, made for a fascinating story.
I like wooden panelling and there was that in abundance. There was also a bit more of a relaxed feeling and trusting of guests than I am used to in historic homes, which felt good.
So why only 4 stars? The main issue was price. You can get into Edinburgh Castle, which can take a whole day, with the one o'clock gun, the honours of Scotland, several museums and hundreds of years of history for around £16 or 32 dollars. That makes 45 dollars for here look steep.
Nevertheless it was an enjoyable visit, with a good explanation of the history, and I managed to get quite a few photos without people in them, which is often my intention.
James West — Google review
Beautiful stop in Dunedin. The grounds are stunning and highly suggest going to the top for a nice view. Beautiful flowers and other plants throughout the castle and grounds. Cafe has a good selection of food and beverages.
Highly recommend the dinner at the castle (reservations needed). The food was fabulous.
Toni F — Google review
Absolutely amazing, If you do go, make sure you have plenty of time to explore and soak up the history. The staff are wonderful and the food is perfect. And the grounds are extremely well kept. The history is intriguing
The admission fee is surprisingly reasonable, and the drive there gives you wonderful views of the bay.
Paul Kennedy — Google review
Very detailed and interesting history of an early, wealthy Colonial family through to modern day owners.
Great cafe, with a Celiac aware chef. I was able to enjoy gluten free scones with jam and whipped cream and a pot of tea.
Delcie Wardrop — Google review
Great example of a man's desire to have a big house on the hill
The woodwork , plasterwork and general construction( including double glazed windows ) are amazing considering when it was built and where.
So lucky it was purchased in the 1960's and restored.
The gardens are also amazing as the photos during construction basically show a bare hill.
The Royal Albatross Centre is a wildlife sanctuary located on the mainland of New Zealand that offers visitors an observatory, exhibits, and guided tours of the colony of royal albatrosses. The centre also provides hand-rearing opportunities for chicks or learning about conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.
Lovely to see the birds soar across the ocean.
And the visitor center has an amazing array of information. Interactive fun things. You can also walk down to see the penguin burrows during the day and then take a tour at night once they wake up
Hannah Mary — Google review
Enjoyed the 90-minute tour at the Royal Albatross Centre, which included a visit to the fort. The tour proved to be an intriguing journey, thanks to our knowledgeable guide who added depth to the experience.
As it was early in the season, the Albatross count was a bit limited, with only three making an appearance.
Seppe Neyens — Google review
This is the only place in the Southern Hemisphere that you can see the Northern Royal Albatross nests up close. There's a sign at the entrance to the Centre indicating how many nests are visible on that day so make sure you check the sign. The tour (booked in advance) was very informative and it was a steep but manageable walk up to the observatory to see the nests. Binoculars and raincoats are provided. You spend about 20 minutes in the observatory and the tour guide helps to spot the nests with you. There is a souvenir shop and a cafe. Highly recommend visiting, just be warned that the drive to get there can be quite challenging with many speed limit changes and winding roads.
Joanna B — Google review
My friend and I visited the Royal Albatross Centre while we were in Dunedin. I had visited over a decade ago as a kid so I wanted to come back again as an adult.
I had a banana milkshake at the café and it was great value for money. The staff were happy to swap in soy milk so I didn't have to have as much Lacteez to enjoy it.
We chose to do the express tours they were running because of the school holidays, and even though it was intended for the school holidays, we still felt like it was plenty of time. It was really reasonably priced too.
The tour guide was knowledgeable and approachable, and she didn't hurry us around the viewing deck.
We were lucky enough to see four albatross chicks and even saw an adult albatross in flight. The viewing deck had plenty of space for a decent sized group, and plenty of binoculars for getting a good close-up on the chicks.
The centre also had a fantastic gift shop. I was very glad to see plenty of Happy Hens available for purchase.
Caitlin Savins — Google review
Love the view of the light house and the small gallery has so lots of history and information to read. I booked for an albatross tour but it was drizzling and too windy and cold, I have decided to cancel and refund. Til we return to Dunedin again, will surely take the tour on a good weather.
Faye O — Google review
Really nice place to visit, very friendly and helpful staff. Depending on the time of year changes how active the birds are. We actually saw albatross flying around from the public viewing area rather than up at the viewing platform, so if you want to save on the tour maybe hang around down there. Bunker was pretty cool to see the only functional disappearing gun in the country.
Richard Surkus — Google review
The little penguin tour was great.
The guides gave a brilliant introductory talk and then we were led down to the beach.
We saw loads of little penguins, maybe around 50 or so in total.
They were easy to see from the viewing platform.
Doing the dusk tour to see the penguins was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Dunedin.
Stewart McDonald — Google review
This is the place to view the albatross, if u are lucky. There are many birds outside. Nice to Take a stroll outside to the end of the "cliff". it is not that far.
There is a small gift shop and a cafe inside. U can buy some souvenirs. Pilot beach is just down, around the corner.
Car Park is plenty right outside the center.
ThianYong Chan — Google review
Dunno, pretty expensive tour cost. Only four nesting birds at the this time.
Car park full of seagulls and poo.
Lots of thistle.
Great outlook and place to go otherwise.
Bit of a tourist trap to be honest.
It’s not the birds fault or anything - just a bit average
Wish it was a bit more accessible.
Dan Burrell — Google review
Well worth the money. I highly recommend going for the 90 minute tour which includes the fort exploration. Time went by with quickly. April is a great time to visit because the babies are so cute and fluffy plus you get to see majestic big Albatross flying too. The gift shop has excellent penguin and Albatross items .Staff were friendly. It gets windy so bring a coat ,hat and maybe scarf. The drive from the cbd takes 40 minutes but there's often roadworks or bad weather so allow one hour to get there. If you arrive early no worries there's so much to see in the visitor center plus a cafe.I recommend as well get a Peninsula trust membership as you get free entry with a friend or 40% if going alone plus 20% off a gift shop 😀. Looking forward to coming back to watch the chick's development
Esther Maxim — Google review
Definitely the perfect viewing spot to watch a magnificent sunrise! 👌🏻
The waves of the ocean, sounds of the seagulls and the breathtaking sunrise will leave you in absolute awe!!!
100% recommend 👍🏻
Plenty of free parking available 🌻
heambrosia reddy — Google review
Went on the blue penguin tour early September. It's only available in the evening. Its a bit of a drive from Dunedin. The road can get very windy. Arrived early so we checked out the gift shop until the tour started. The gift shop was closed when the tour ended, so best buy any gifts before the tour starts.
There was a short and very informative presentation from the guides to kick off the tour. the group was then escorted down to the beach. Quite a few stairs to go down. It was dark but the path was well lit. It was also cold and very windy so warm clothing is a must. We all waited on a deck for the penguins to come out.
We didn't have to wait long until groups of penguins started coming out of the Ocean and up the beach. They were very vocal and didn't seem to mind the large group of people near them. Quite a few came up to deck and you're able to get a good look at them.
We were treated to a free bikkie while watching.
The guides were great and passionate about their work.
It was an amazing experience. Worth it.
Robina CM — Google review
I went to the Royal Albatross Centre for the night tour to see the Blue Penguins and had an incredible time. The staff was very knowledgeable about the penguins and the conservation area. It was a very memorable experience!
Luke Salyer — Google review
Quite a lot ($50) to see a few albatross sitting at quite a distance - but would still recommend. Good to support the conservation effort and it's the only place to see them. The guide was very knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions.
Krista Kerr — Google review
Beautiful place, doing great work on albatross conservation. Brilliant guided tour and walk up to the albatross observatory with views down to the nesting chick's.
Jason Rainbow — Google review
GO HERE!!! this was one of the best experiences and tours we did in New Zealand. The guide was wonderful and answered every question we had. We then saw about 15 albatross. It helped that there were multiple nests (the right season), but overall it was wonderful.
Katie Stadius — Google review
Jessica was absolutely brilliant! It is so fun to listen and learn from someone who passionate and connected to the land. Anyone enjoyed listening to her. Unfortunately there was not a lot of pairs to see and we all waited for them to take off so we can see their magnificent wings but that nature. If you can’t decide between this or the penguins definitely go for the penguins!
Meir Cohen — Google review
Royal Albatross Centre hosted our Blue Penguin Tour and the photos show the elegance of these creatures in flight.
Your visit here supports the needs of Albatross 🪽 and Penguin🐧(blue Penguin in disguise).
ian connell — Google review
Fantastic conservation area with Albatross and Penguins. We didn't have time to do the tour but we spotted lots alof Albatross from the viewing platform not to far from the car park. Highly recommended the scenic drive to get to the Royal Albatross Centre.
Matt Hurley — Google review
Albatross are the world's largest seabirds. They generally breed on remote offshore islands and spend at least 85% of their lives at sea, but, at Dunedin's Taiaroa Head, on the mainland, you can see a Royal Albatross breeding colony. An in credible and educational experience.
We also had lunch at the center's Cafe, it was delicious!
The Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is a museum that tells the history of the local settlement in Otago, including exhibits related to the gold rush period. There are also kid-friendly exhibits and events available at the museum. The cafe on site is a great way to relax after exploring the museum.
Excellent free museum, a must do while in Dunedin. There are so many exhibitions about the history of Dunedin, how and why people came, early settlers, technology and the gold rush, and modern cars, home appliances, music and culture. It is very interesting and there is a lot to see. But everything is quite vague and nothing goes into a lot of detail. It left me wanting more! You can easily spend hours in there. Lots of toilets too as well as a cafe and nice gift shop.
Wild Lovely World — Google review
Excellent museum. I went to the museum with my family and we had a great time. It was a great way of learning about Otago history. There were a number of different sections.
Very spacious and child friendly. I recommend 1-2 hours at a comfortable pace. Admissions by donations.
Howard Fan — Google review
Was a great experience learnt a lot about the history of New Zealand and the general history in the modern day such as technology would recommend anyone local or coming by to visit as it is free, clean and very interesting and enlightening.
J — Google review
So much fun to be had. Cute little toddler tours the last Tuesday of every month with different themes and a craft! Awesome play area right by the bathrooms with tons of toys. Plus, entry is free (you can pay a donation at the front)!
Mary — Google review
Lots of different types of exhibits to see. Unfortunately could not do interacted exhibits due to covid! A souvenir shop and Cafe at usual tourist prices! But other than that great place to visit
Debbie Jones — Google review
Quite fantastic insights into the history of New Zealand. Arranged in different areas, such as military, vehicles, immigrants, vehicles, technology and so on...
It is great that not only very old things are shown but like a timeline the development from then to the recent past.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
I would write, it is worth the entrance fee in any case, but it is amazingly even free.
Should not actually be missing on the program if you are in the area.
Olli Xxx — Google review
How A-M-A-zing is this place!
It goes on forever! Shame that we only had 2 hours. As we have only managed to cover half this place.
There's so much to see that I forgot to take more photos! I did get a souvenir though!
We are definitely coming back. 5 stars 🖐️
Charlene Smith — Google review
During our Port Chalmers stop, we hopped on a shuttle to reach Dunedin. The museum in the vicinity captivated our interest, prompting us to delve into its offerings. Upon entering, the welcoming museum staff provided guidance on how to commence our exploration.
The museum is thoughtfully organized, featuring distinct sections that showcase a diverse array of artifacts from the past. This meticulous arrangement allowed us to embark on a journey through different historical periods, providing a comprehensive and enriching experience.
Roger Vino — Google review
Great collections of historical value. Staff are very pleasant. Great stop for visitors as you can leave your bags at the reception. 45 minutes may be enough to look around the museum. They also have a nice Cafe and gift shop by the entrance. If you are done enjoying the arts and history here, this museum is literally beside the Railway on one side and the Chinese Gardens on the other.
M S — Google review
An excellent local museum that tells the story of the settlement of Dunedin from both the Maōri and Pakeha perspectives. The location in a former 1930s art deco bus station is amazing.
Duncan Connors — Google review
Lots to see and learn about, love all the old stuff. Like the old boat quarters, oven and train carriages. Fun to look at all the names and try find family. Kids might be a bored but I had a good time.
Danielle henaghan — Google review
Definitely worth the visit while visiting the city or just go on rainy afternoon.
So much local history packed in one place!
We visited on Anzac day. And place was fairly quiet with great atmosphere. Give it plenty of time, we stayed 3 hrs.
One can try on a wedding dress or buy an old penny for use of polyphon inside the exhibit. Climb aboard of a 100year old tram cart.
Fun for both adults and kids with a coffee shop and plenty of souvenirs, goods or related books to buy.
Place is wheel chair accesible and has toilets in front and in the exhibit area as well.
Petra Chaloupkova — Google review
Free! Very interesting. Room with all the photos of early settlers is amazingly informative on each of their stories in the region. Worth a look when visiting.
Dion Stubbs — Google review
A really good museum, feels like being brought back to the 19th and 20th century!
Plenty of displays and interactive information.
Parking next to the museum is $2/h.
There is a free parking behind the train station, 400m walk to the museum through the bridge.
They have a beautiful gift shop and cafe.
There are a few toilets, one is the modern one behind the cafe and an old interesting looking toilet near the children's area.
Line S — Google review
Fascinating museum documenting the peoples and cultures which have played a role in the development of the Otago region, with an emphasis on Dunedin, to what it is today. Plenty of interesting exhibits and information panels bring the history and people’s stories to life for visitors. Easily spend a couple of hours here taking full advantage of the interactive displays. Well worth a visit if you are passing through Dunedin.
Eddie — Google review
One of the best museums we've been to in a long while. Very informative about the early settlers along with moving into life through the years. Lots to see and do. In Dunedin, would thoroughly recommend a visit. The café is very good too!
Barbara Melton — Google review
Theo and the team are fantastic. We used their Auditorium space for a conference this past weekend. Theo was easy to chat with about any issues we had and all the staff were really friendly and helpful. The space itself is roomy and has great accoustic qualities, perfect for recording and video recording speakers and a podcast. Facilities really clean. I also wandered through (half) the museum space too, it's beautifully laid out with accessible entry and ramps.
Lisa Ryan — Google review
Really interesting exhibits telling the story of the early settlers in NZ and their interactions with the Maori people. Plenty of room to walk around and read information about each display, and it's free of charge!
A H — Google review
We walked past this building, and another couple told us it was really good, so we went back the following day.
The name is off-putting, with connotations of colonialism, but they have made quite an effort to recognise all New Zealand's people, the common heritage and shared history - often by intermarriage between the groups.
There is a lot to take in here, and as a Scot a lot of the history is one of Scottish Presbyterianism, that I find it easy to recognise.
Above all, there were some very good snippets of personal stories, that helped to humanise the story of Dunedin. There is a power in hearing someone tell their story from the past.
One that appealed to me was of the town planner. It had been agreed that Dunedin would have gas lighting and the town was responsible for providing the lights. They put them out to tender, but he wasn't happy with any of the offers, so decided to design his own. I see that as a very Scottish response: "I can do better than this myself."
One interesting thing is how prosperous they were, particularly around the time of the gold rush, they really were pioneers.
That's only a very brief introduction to the breadth of the museum. Allow 2-3 hours at least, if you like to browse and read the information, as we do, rather than just rushing through.
James West — Google review
This museum has to be on the list to tick mark as its free of cost and also wgen you will start exploring you will see many things which are interesting with the history facts of new zealand.The role models details you can learn and primitive things,clothes,household things are very welled preserved.Its amazing to visit the museum and learn so many things from it.There are lot many sections and also kids playing area you can find there to entertain kids.overall museum is worth going.
Nids — Google review
Nice place good thing about this place it’s free of cost but please do donate there as minimum cost per person is 22$ .
Still the transportation museum is still in construction so need to visit again once done.
If you love history this the best place to visit.
NIKHIL JOSHI — Google review
Our first stop in NZ, this is a must see site! Great for the kids, plenty to see for you and the kids all free, The coffee shop is well staffed and full of information and keen to assist.
Robert Gladwell — Google review
- FREE ENTRANCE.
- Huge exposition with different topics ranging Otago community to modern vehicles.
- Kid-friendly.
- A must if you are visiting Dunedin.
The Dunedin brewery that bears the Speights name was founded in 1876 and has been churning out high quality amber ales ever since. The building itself is steeped in history, with tours of the brewery giving visitors a chance to learn about brewing techniques from years gone by. The Ale House on site also offers dining options, including some hearty fare that can be enjoyed while sipping on some Speight's beer.
We really enjoyed this brewery tour. Our guide was friendly and funny, and the history of the brewery was very interesting. The tasting at the end was good with generous portions. Everyone starts with the gold medal ale, but then you're able to choose the other 2 you want to try.
After the tour we went next door to the Alehouse and had really tasty dinners.
kathy peterson — Google review
Wonderful place to enjoy a pint and learn about how it’s made. Also, the tasting program is unbeatable!
Carl K — Google review
We booked a tour through the Brewery. Learned a lot about Speights beer and enjoyed a few delicious beer at the end of the tour.
Michael Schaefer — Google review
Had a really cool tour led by Tessa and assisted by Luis. It was super interesting learning the history of the brewery as well as about how to make beer. The beer tastings at the end were great too!
Rachael Cortesi — Google review
Visiting Dunedin for just a few days, and happened to walk by the brewery. Saw the sign for a tour and decided to sign up. So glad I did! First of all - I've never seen a safety video clip made fun anywhere! So the tour was already off to a great start. Our guide Tessa was super knowledgeable but without being overly into boring details. Fun details, yes - the cat on the photo for example! She was approachable and answered all our questions, and overall was a great guide! The tour is definitely among my top favorite moments of the whole NZ trip.
Oh, and the beers are actually really good! Something for every preference :)
Highly recommend, both the tour and beers!
Anni Lepik — Google review
The tour was perfect ended with beer tasting. Personal favourite will be gold medal ale, old dark and summit low carb.
mayshin99 — Google review
Great tour and some excellent beers 🍻👌
victor clayton — Google review
We did the full Speights Brewery tour. Unlike more common (to Victoria) backroom tours, this had a more polished historical/museum like quality. We heard about all of the usual things like hops, water, barley, the malting and milling process, the various tuns, hop bombs, kettles, barrels and so on. But we also saw historical delivery maps and hear about the founders, the business approach, and got to see the old brewery floor as well as the new stainless steel version currently in use. We ended with a stop in the tasting room where all of the current tapes and products could be tested. Well worth doing the tour. The only missing thing was the t-shirts in the store said Speights but not New Zealand, or Dunedin and we like place names to go with the shirts.
Graham Tranter — Google review
The tour provides a good insight into the history of Speights and the beer making process. Great to have a look around the factory. The tasting at the end of the tour was a highlight with the opportunity to try different types of beers and ciders. Large selection of branded merch if you want to take home a souvenir. Thanks to guide Tessa and the Speights team for an informative and fun visit.
Eddie — Google review
The brewery tour priced $22 for adult is totally value for money. Easy explanations and interesting facts with at least 3-4glass tasting section. What else can one want ???? some small bites may be...😁..just kidding. 🍺🍺🍺
manjula saxena — Google review
Thanks for the great tour and beers at the end!! We were stupid enough to not book our tour, but the duty manager on shift was really helpful with fitting us in! Tess our tour guide was amazing! Will definitely be coming back when we return to Dunedin!
Jahred Doumias — Google review
The tour was amazing. Really.
Very informative, very knowledgeable and very tasty.
I booked for me and my wife, on our honeymoon - I let the brewery know ahead and they we're so nice and gave us presents and blessed us! Thank you very much.
Gil Barnea — Google review
Fantastic tour! Our tour guide was so much fun! Very informative and generous beer/cider tastings at the end. Loved it!
T's LL — Google review
Pretty spacious, well set up eating space, good use of tables and well adjusted to accommodate for a large group of people. Speight's catered well to our group of
15's needs, and we were happily seated and set up in no time. Customer service was organized and prompt, and the team delivering our food were courteous.
I ordered the large plate of ribs, and was pleasantly surprised by the arrangement which was well done and very appetizing. Even the medium plate was arranged well
and this was a recurring theme amongst the other dishes my friends decided to order.
I had high expectations for these as I'm always trying to scout the best ribs in town, however am disappointed to say that these did not meet them. The rib meat was overall mediocre, as it did not fall off the
bone and a few pieces were exceptionally dry and difficult to chew, and soon became bland and stringy. I did like the size of these ribs as they were presented in long single
bones, however the quality of the meat prepared was just not up to my standard. There was adequate sauce but it was just a standard bbq, and there seemed to be many
cartilage bone present (or at least in my plate).
The sides were decent-there were some bacon/sausage pieces which made the meal look better, but the taste wasn't anything spectacular, although it was a nice addition. The fries were not made, straight cut and mostly crispy which were a pleasant find especially since they were buried underneath all the ribs and sauce. The salad
was okay, I prefer coleslaw with my ribs, but the pieces of fresh veg on the side were a delight-love me some tomato, capsicum and radish slices!
Overall, it was decent, a good portion for the price theoretically speaking, however for the quality you can definitely find better ribs in Dunedin and at a stellar price! 3/5
As of 6/5 rib ranking in Dunedin: Lone Star (need to visit again for update on consistency in quality) > Ratbags>
50 gorillas (may also need to visit their all you can eat as I hear inconsistency in quality) > Speights
Penguin Place, a conservation reserve and working zoo which helps protect the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, is located on Harrington Point in Otago. On a guided tour, you'll learn about current conservation efforts and see the quirky penguins up close. You may also see some of the penguin patients being rehabilitated.
In October 2019 we made a late afternoon stop on the Otago Peninsula at a sanctuary.
Penguin Place is a private wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the survival of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin.
The nature conservation project is financed with guided tours through the reserve. Responsibilities include penguin habitat restoration, predator control, research programs, and rehabilitation for sick, starving, or wounded penguins.
On the vegetated slopes of a secluded bay there are numerous sheltered hiding places offered to the rare yellow-eyed penguins. This means that the shy animals can come here undisturbed every year, lay their eggs, breed and raise their offspring.
Here you can learn a lot about penguins and their protection in guided groups under expert guidance.
A system of ditches and observation hiding places has been created for visitors to observe and photograph the penguins from there. This way you can get very close to the wild animals without disturbing them.
Our approximately three-hour tour of the reserve began with a detailed lecture and subsequent tour of the reserve. It was an experience for animal lovers.
Ru Wi — Google review
A very worthwhile stop. The staff are very knowledgeable and pleasant. I felt a little bad for them as they seemed to feel the need to tailor their speech a little so they wouldn't offend people who don't believe such facts as people are altering the habitats of native species to their detriment or that human-induced climate change is a real thing that threatens the existence of many species.
Our walking tour gave us a partial view of one penguin from a distance of 25 meters. We did see some penguins in their nesting boxes as well but it's quite dark and impossible to get a decent photo of them in there. There were a number of fur seals resting on the shore and we got a nice close look at them. Fortunately for us their was a penguin "patient" in rehab and we got a good look at him at the end of our tour.
If you're considering booking the tour I would say just ask yourself if you're okay with doing it and not being able to see/photograph a penguin at all, because that's a possibility. If you want the guarantee of seeing a penguin maybe you want to call ahead and see if there will be a penguin patient on the day of your tour.
Finally there was a fair bit of walking on the tour including up and down some hills, nothing strenuous but the guide had to ask the group to keep up a few times so as to stay on schedule. If you can't walk at a normal speed it would be good to call ahead and make sure they can accommodate your needs.
Rob J. — Google review
Beautiful location and possibility to see penguins close by in rehabilion center was more than expected. Penguins are wild animals and come and go as they please and humans job is to stay out of the way. Enjoyed the talk too and guide new his thing.
Kati Leskinen — Google review
Fantastic time with a passionate, knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend this trip to anyone. We saw German owls, fur seals, yellow eye penguins, sea lions and native ducks. Walked (occasionally ran) through the trenches to watch a yellow eye walk up the dunes. If your in dunedin and on the peninsula then a great day trip would be the penguins, the albatross and larnarch castle.
chris wright — Google review
What a noble and needed effort to save the endangered yellow eyed penguins. So enjoyed the walk around the grounds and hearing about the steps being taken to restrict beach activities and at reforestation to restore habit. If you're lucky, you may also get to quietly observe some of the penguins being rehabbed.
Lauren Zahn — Google review
Probably the best place to see Yellow Eyed Penguins. They rehabilitate sick penguins, which you can see in enclosures, and then you go down to the wildlife reserve and watch the beach through binoculars from a hide. We were lucky enough to see two more coming in from the ocean. Worth taking you own binoculars if you have them.
Nice conversation centre doing great work, which justifies the relatively high entrance fee.
Luke Lishman — Google review
The work they do to rehabilitate the endangered Yello Eyed peguin and their success rate is amazing. The tour is well worth the money. Adrian was a great guide and botanist so the walk not only included beautiful scenery but also understanding the importance of vegetation and forests for the survival of the penguins. Also wonderful opportunity to see the Yellow Eyed up close as they go through recovery. AND the drive along the bay to Penguin Place is fantastic.
Dan Moreland — Google review
An outstanding organisation that is trying to save and rehabilitate our penguins. The income from the tours helps with rehab - outstanding views, photo opportunities and closeness to wildlife - highly recommended
Barb Long — Google review
My wife and I visited 'Penguin Place' on the Otago Peninsula today 8 January 2022.
We were very fortunate to have George as our tour guide.
George is a very enthusiastic person, who is very informed, very able to impart his knowledge and makes sure visitors have the best experience possible.
During our visit we witnessed a yellow eyed penguin come out of the sea, obviously with a belly full of fish !
It 'waddled' it's way approx several hundred metres up to a height of approx 70 metres to its mate, who was waiting patiently for its supper.
During its travel it passed within 5 metres of us !
It was an experience we will never forget
We highly recommend George and Penguin Place.
Dennis & Alison Dickinson - Palmerston North ...
dennis dickinson — Google review
Great place to visit and support penguins. Very friendly and competent staff, interesting talk and walk around the colony and we were lucky enough to see not only penguins in their nesting boxes, but seals, a sealion in the surf and a most rare yellow-eyed penguin crossing the beach in the distance. Plenty of birdlife and flora and fauna abounds. They do a great job regenerating the area and preserving the wildlife. Was a pleasure coming amhere and supporting their cause. We also saw a recovering penguin almost ready for release from their rescue centre.
Walter van Praag — Google review
Knowledgeable and friendly staff that are doing an amazing job preserving the Yellow Eyed Penguins. The scenery is absolutely amazing and you’ll be guaranteed to see Yellow Eyed Penguins in the rehabilitation center. We were also lucky enough to see a penguin wandering by the ocean. However, seeing penguins in the wild is rare according to the staff, so please be prepared for that. Well worth coming all the way from Finland!
Jenny Hissa — Google review
Visited our yesterday, 17th June 23. Saskia is such a great tour guide, the work they do here is amazing.
I can't believe that the fishing laws are so terrible in our country!
We managed to catch the penguins returning to land but unfortunately we were at the lookout higher on the hills.
Aseem Chiplonkar — Google review
This tour was a real disappointment. The tour only offered viewing of the yellow eyed penguin in a rehabilitation enclosure at the time of our visit. We were taken to the seaside hides too early, and also had to leave to come back before it started getting dark, to have the opportunity to see any penguins coming back from the sea. Dusk wasn't for at least another 30-60 minutes after our tour ended. We did see sea lions, fur seals and fairy penguins (in nesting boxes only), but the purpose of the tour was to see yellow eyed penguins. The views of the grounds and the coast line are beautiful but thats really all you're getting for the money. Wouldn't recommend, sadly.
mr travel — Google review
Visited in mid-Dec. A well run tour on the grounds of a former sheep farm. We managed to see fur seals, blue penguin chicks and at the rehab centre, some yellow-eyed penguins. Was an interesting and educational experience. Certainly worth the visit.
Yang Kheem Seah — Google review
Amazing conservation work of the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguins by OPERA. Kudos to our host - John, who is engaging & enthusiatic in explaining & answering questions throughout. Highly commendable & recommended!
P L — Google review
Visited after almost 20 years from the previous visit. Told the name was changed to opera recently due to ownership change and the number of hoiho has declined significantly over the last decade or so, but it was still a nice spot to visit especially the unspoilt beach was beautiful. Highly recommended.
Yusuke Hioka — Google review
Very informative and interesting! Unfortunately, the Hoiho penguins are in serious danger but this organization is doing its very best to help them out. In the end we didn’t end up seeing the Hoiho penguins here “in the wild”. We did see several blue penguins in the wild and adolescent Hoiho in the rehabilitation center which was fun. All in all a good experience with good info and enthusiastic staff at the center. Keep up the good work!
David — Google review
An amazing organization. The lengths that these people are going to help the animals and environment is incredible. Well done, we truly enjoyed our tour.
Karen — Google review
Beautiful beach, great place to learn more of the yellow eye penguins and blue penguins. Great work at the restoration centre. Knowledgable and friendly staff that share good knowledge of the nature.
The Otago Museum is located in Dunedin and has a wide range of exhibits which cover a range of topics from world history to space exploration. The science centre is especially popular with kids and features interactive activities and displays. The museum also houses a collection of local and international artefacts which are well worth exploring.
My daughters enjoyed the Butterfly garden, the planetarium shows and the Science Centre was lots of fun too. We dint have enough time to see anything else, as the amazing activities at the Science Centre, kept them glued. It is definitely one place you should visit while in Dunedin.
Abhi Manchu — Google review
There's so much to take in and learn, there's no rush to do it all. Lots of different themes, I'm sure everyone can find something they're interested in. Very wheelchair accessible, lift access to all levels, wheelchair accessible toilets and quiet rooms. Sometimes the signage is a bit small print but most of the exhibits had a tablet or computer set up to read more about objects which was great.
AJ Wasserman — Google review
We paid for a family pass + 2 kids to get into the Science and Butterfly section. Plenty of interesting and interactive activities. We spent approximately 2 hours but didn't quite see it all. Overall there is plenty to see in the free sections as well as the paid. Slightly expensive for the 6 of us, however still enjoyed our time and worth seeing. There is a food court available.
Cat — Google review
Love coming here on rainy days with my kid, and everything is so clean. Staff are super attentive and happy to help. When my child hurt himself they were very quick to help me and even gave him a lollipop.
Nicole Jorgensen — Google review
This museum absolutely blew us away, we genuinely wish we could have spent all day here! If you have kids, like butterflies, or are young at heart and prefer interactive exhibits, you have to buy tickets for the science center! It is so much fun, completely engaging, and the butterfly exhibit is unreal, like we couldn't believe it was just there, hiding inside of a museum! It was seriously our favorite thing we did in Dunedin but even if you don't do the science center, the free access area is still so impressive! We ran out of time and had to rush the upper levels (a shame because the animal attic alone deserves at least 15 minutes) but we left happier and a lit bit more knowledgeable than we'd been before!
Alexa — Google review
10/10 customer service skills, fast service - no long line and all helpful information given and not to mention always greeted with a smile by the employee at the kiosk.
We visit roughly 2-3 times a year.
The big slide is our favorite thing to go on first for Mr5
Sadly the Butterfly house seemed really sad and A LOT less life like since we last visited 5+ years ago, my child was more concerned with the large amounts of dead butterflies on the ground and in the water ponds, Entry price for 1 adult + 2 children (1 under 5) was $46 for all access . The rest of the museum and science activities are fun and can keep the children busy the only downfall we can find is same stuff, different day and different year.
Best place to go on rainy days!
Sharna Meaclem — Google review
A great rainy day activity! The science centre & live butterfly rainforest is what you pay for and is worth it for the amount of time you will spend and the cool activities that are fun for the whole family!
Excellent gift shop on site also!
Parking is a bit of an issue so either be prepared to pay or walk a few minutes for a park. Got to see it & experience it to understand what it’s really like.
Janita Patrick — Google review
Excellent displays. One could spend a whole day there. Lots of childhood memories flooded back. Clear, tidy, and a great cafe included.
Dave Beard — Google review
The Science museum was brilliant for both kids, they loved it and the interactive nature of all the stations. Our older son, who loves museums, also enjoyed exploring the museum itself and looking at the exhibits. We all thoroughly loved the butterfly house!
Rebecca Giles — Google review
We had the best afternoon, we went to the Buttfly experience and the Predators of the Ocean Exhibit 🙂 There was 2x adults and 1x child combined entry tickets that were slightly discounted. The 360 degree dome was a great experience, the movie showed the story of a smaller ancestors of the dolphins from birth until death, everyone enjoyed the whole 45 mins. The Butterfly experience was amazing, very very hot and humid though. Saw large blue butterflies, free flying finches, large tarantulas but they were in their own display habitates We went into the child science explore area and found things to do including a twisty slide 🙂 We had lunch in the cafe, the food was well priced and reasonable large servings. I asked the busy staff for salt and pepper and was immediately given them. Bought a $3 erasable pen for the child as a souvenir 🙂 Totally recommend to visit the museum for children and adults if you are in Dunedin.
Simone Templeton — Google review
Great museum with extensive collections! Plan time to enjoy it thoroughly as it a comprehensive site. This is a must do in Dunedin at there is no charge for the exhibits. Fees for the planetarium and other presentation rooms. Nice gift shop and cafe on site as well.
c ?cfl? lane — Google review
The planetarium and science center needs tickets all but is free. The Museum is a captivating blend of culture and architecture. Its modernist design with sleek lines and glass panels creates a visually appealing exterior. Inside, the exhibits are thoughtfully curated and arranged, taking visitors on a journey through time and showcasing the history and culture of Otago and the Pacific region. The exhibition design is meticulous, utilizing lighting, graphics, and multimedia elements to bring the displays to life. Sustainability is a priority, with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems incorporated throughout the building. The museum actively engages the community through educational programs and interactive exhibits. Amenities like a café and gift shop add to the visitor experience. Overall, the Otago Museum is a remarkable fusion of culture, architecture, and sustainability. It offers an enriching exper
M Tawfique Rahman — Google review
My utmost favorite museum in Aotearoa! It has an amazing butterfly house experience, where butterflies can land on you in a lovely tropical rainforest environment. The array of rocks and minerals on display throughout the museum are fun to look at and are just absolutely gorgeous. Highly recommend this to everyone of all ages, there's something for everyone!
Kaylin & Alaska — Google review
Otago Museum has the science, culture and nature exhibits (with a focus on the local region and New Zealand in general) you expect to find in a similar cultural institution. Good place to spend some time if you enjoy visiting museums. Free entry for the regular galleries.
Eddie — Google review
Great family friendly facility for kids of all ages. The butterfly room in particular was amazing but the whole experience was really impressive. The science communication was some of the best implemented I've ever seen in a public museum. Thanks for a great visit team!
mike duffy — Google review
Went with the kids and partner to the butterfly exhibit. Before getting to the butterflys, there is a super cool interactive science based play area which we all found super cool and entertaining. That in itself took a couple of hours. The butterfly enclosure its self is very large and beautiful. Lots of gorgeous plants and thousands of beautiful butterflys. Quite the experience. Some very cool spiders to be seen as well!
chris vincent — Google review
We visited the museum on March 2024. There are so many interesting exhibition at place, like history of Polynesia, new zealand, science center, and so on. Worth to visit and good to know more about Otago region and Southern New Zealand.
Patthawee Wongsrisathapon — Google review
Spent the whole afternoon here yesterday - so much to see and do. Debated over whether to pay to enter science part but really glad we did. Lots of fun, hands on activities and the butterfly house. Fun for us even as adults.
Would be good to see things in the gift shop that relate to the museum displays rather than/as well as the usual gift shop things.
Krista Kerr — Google review
If you find yourself in Dunedin but have poor weather, this museum is a nice diversion. It takes about 1 hour if you breeze through and 2 hours if you like to read all the placards. Entry is free but you should donate on the way out. Guys will probably like the collection of swords and daggers and the room full of replica model ships is very cool. If pressed for them start on floor 2 and work your way down. Floor 1 contains mostly artifacts from the entries Polynesian Islands and NZ region. The skeletons of the enormous but extinct birds are incredible.
Chris Schorre — Google review
My boys have great time at the science room. We visited the tropical forest where butterflies all fly around you. Boys were excited when butterflies rest on their fingers and shirts. Definitely worth to revisit.
Rikki Mitchell Family — Google review
The Otago Museum is a fantastic place, especially for families with kids. There are numerous exhibits to explore, catering to a variety of interests. It's a great destination with a wide range of things to see and enjoy. Additionally, the museum boasts a cool store and a cafe, making it an all-encompassing and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
Esperanza Rodríguez-Portilla — Google review
Had a really good experience here today
Highly recommend. It’s free to the museum, however there are extra activities to do that need payment.
Claire Lonergan — Google review
I had an amazing experience at the Otago Museum. There were lots of live butterflies, lively science exhibits, fossils, and technological displays to explore. It’s a great place for both adults and children. Definitely a must-do!
The Olveston Historic Home is a beautifully preserved former merchant home dating to the early 1900s. It offers guided tours of the house and its art collection, which includes items from Japan, England, and China. The museum is well worth a visit for anyone interested in history or art.
Gorgeous home and garden left to the people of Dunedin.
You have to book a “tour” and unfortunately we felt our guide rushed us through
(We were only a small group of 3 and didn’t have all the answers we were looking for or else wouldn’t answer our questions about the history of the people of house until we were in the correct room). It was a little scripted but worth the trip. A lot of the house was off limits ie tutors room, top floor and bottom floor/basement area.
They need a brochure or leaflet with some history of the house, owners, furnishings and a map of the building and gardens.
Stace Mc — Google review
A very interesting home of a Dunedin wealthy businessman in the early twentieth century!
The home is currently a historic house museum and it was an enjoyable experience to explore this home. The tour is according to schedule and there was nobody else apart from us joining the last tour of the day. Even so, our tour guide shows utmost professionalism and still brings us around the lovely home.
The tour would not have been interesting without detailed explanations from our guide. We truly appreciate his friendliness, sincerity and passion as Olveston Historic Home guide!
Ting Ting — Google review
Well worth a visit. This house is jammed packed with all its original features and collections. The tour guide was full of interesting information about the family and the history. Really enjoyed our time their and will go vaccine and do the behind the ropes tour and art tour.
Amanda Anderson — Google review
Olverston Historic House in Dunedin is a very interesting attraction to visit. Built in 1906 it still contains most or the original furnishings, so it provides a brilliant snapshot of what home life looked like in Dunedin more than 100 years ago. The tour guide was excellent and full of interesting knowledge. This is definitely a must do for anyone interested in early colonial history. Highly recommend.
Haydn Murdoch — Google review
We didn’t have much time in Dunedin, but were so glad we did a tour. We had a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. There is so much to look at in the rooms and an hour went way too fast. At times it felt a little rushed, but appreciate they have to stick to time limit to allow others through. It is absolutely stunning and a real gem to the city of Dunedin. Highly recommend.
Deb — Google review
A great historic home with a somewhat sad ending. The mansion is top class and I haven't seen anything like it in NZ.
Even the 1919 family car is available for viewing and is in mintcondition, after being fully restored to it original state. The Gardens are also worth a good stroll around, and the flowers are stunning, as per the photos. At $25, in Jan 2023, it's a must do in Christchurch. Thank you.
Ahmad — Google review
If you love antique furniture, beautiful dinner-sets, lavishly decorated rooms, Steinway pianos from 1872, Downtown Abbey or Cluedo boardgame vibes - this is the place for you!
Absolutely stunning piece of history from 1904 built by a wealthy Jewish family with many clever features, and donated to the town of Dunedin.
Entry was $25pp. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and could answer all our questions. We saw almost all the rooms in the house: library, dining room, billiards room, bedrooms, drawing rooms, servants quarters, kitchen etc. All original family belongings and many beautiful collections of first edition books. The house still has a live-in caretaker so to respect their privacy the tour doesn't go in those rooms. I was very taken aback when I was permitted to play their beautiful piano and was excited to hear they host concerts. I wish I had known that they also do high tea because I most certainly would have loved this. 😊 Thank you to the staff at Bracken Restaurant for recommending we visit. We LOVED it and I cannot wait to come back. 😊❤️
Bron H — Google review
The house is absolutely exquisite, the furniture and artefacts tell a story of times gone by. The guided tour was very informative and I highly recommend a visit.
Trish O'Brien — Google review
Beautiful historical house. Thank you for the tour lady who showed us around. Impressive place to visit!
The Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a wildlife refuge located 20 kilometers north of Dunedin, New Zealand. It covers 307 hectares of Coastal Otago native forest, and is home to a number of endangered species, such as the Takahe. The sanctuary also offers educational exhibits and hands-on displays about the region's wildlife.
Really friendly and helpful staff, very cheerful to tell you information and get you sorted.
Ecosanctuary part is really well mapped and signposted, great names and trails to get you around everywhere. A great walk for anyone, plenty of tree shelter if it is too sunny or a little rainy. Birds are friendly and will come up close to you as you watch them eat/drink.
Elissa Snowball — Google review
The workers there are so friendly, sweet and informative!
The sanctuary itself was really amazing and the walk to the tallest NZ tree was full of cute inquisitive songbirds and green was everywhere!
Would always recommend to anyone.
Use a stick if you're the person in front, you don't want to catch spider webs with your face 😅
Mikkel Hansen — Google review
Excellent area to see and hear the wildlife of New Zealand in a predator free environment. Good range of walks for different fitness levels and not long at all. Good parking and a nice cafe also.
Chris P — Google review
My family went without knowing much about the place since we had some time. The receptionist was full of knowledge, gave us information about local flora, fauna and culture, and didn't try to upsell any aspect of the place - letting us know that the "tallest tree in New Zealand" was "just a tall, skinny eucalyptus." They had wheelchair accessible toilets, rental chairs (2 I could see) and one wheelchair accessible path with many different inaccessible paths off of it. Lots of informative signage about the birds, what's in season, and their sustainability efforts. Near the entrance they've got a few enclosures of local reptiles that if you're lucky you might spot a few but otherwise signs explaining the animal it's significance. I look forward to coming back and seeing a new section every time!
AJ Wasserman — Google review
An absolutely stunning sanctuary. Incredible walks, beautiful engagement from the wild life... an absolute must for experiencing our gorgeous NZ flora and fauna.
Kate Strawbridge — Google review
What an excellent place! Lovely walks and the well places bird feeders mean you can see a lot of bird life, especially if you stand quietly at a feeder for a few minutes while the birds return after hearing you approach. The cafe was nicer than I was expecting with a lovely soup that tasted home made.
Mark Greene — Google review
Absolutely fantastic experience and place to visit. If you like birds, trees or the great outdoors this is a must visit. Only 22 dollars per person and you can get a a great variety of bird and plant life to explore, including New Zealand's tallest trees, alongside some great coffee at the shop! Brilliant
Steven Mapp — Google review
Wonderful walk around native bush and wildlife.
Easy to get close up with some of New Zealand's most beautiful birds, reptiles, and flora.
The paths are very easy to walk, and there's a 2 hour round trip mini-hike for the more adventurous.
Plenty of bird feeders situated around the reserve, making it very easy to catch a great snap of your favourite birds.
Managed to see Takahe, Tui, Kaka, Korimako, Otago Skink, South Island Robin, Fantail, and Riflemen.
Francis Liardet — Google review
Lovely place to visit and just sit in the trees and watch the birds. Most is stroller friendly all though we stick to the easy tracks.
The walk times are a dawdle, you could walk it much quicker than advertised.
Richard Surkus — Google review
A really nice option to spend 2-4 hours on a weekend. They have quite a variety of birds and animals. And a few options for trekking routes - fast one-hour trail and longer ones as well. We took the longer option and managed to spend about 2.5 hours. They’ve multiple viewing platforms and benches next to feeding and drinking props for the birds. You can get nice and close views of the birds and lots of photo ops. Also possible to photo-capture the birds on the trees. We didn’t manage to see the geckos though.
Deepak Sharma — Google review
A must do but make sure you go on a warm day mid morning to get the best viewing possibility of birds at the feeders and reptiles out on the rocks sunning themselves
Kerry Shields — Google review
Amazing place with lots of birds. It feels very magical. All the tracks are very well maintained and marked. Hope to come back!
Ana Barros — Google review
Incredible! Saw so many birds including a little takahē family! Lovely easy walks through lush bush. We didn't have much time so just did the 1 hour loop but still saw so many birds including bellbirds, south island robins and kaka. Recommend hanging near the feeding stations for close encounters!
Michelle Sclater — Google review
What a wonderful experience.
Lovely unique bird life some near impossible to see elsewhere.
Great walks for different skills.
Al Man — Google review
The Takahe was a highlight for us. There were 2 chick's and sucb a delight. They had just been fed and not behind fences, but easily spotted. Lovely bush walks too.
Lucy McCall — Google review
Peaceful and fascinating. A must-do on your Dunedin trip. The forest path is an adventurous experience for the whole family with tracks that are not difficult to walk and many route options for different kinds of wildlife. Paradise for photographers and rare chance to get up close and personal with curious birds. Theres a small but fantastic cafe (coffee, people, coffee) An added bonus to support such important conservation work!!
Calani Payton — Google review
It is a huge park with free flying birds. Birds which are only available in New Zealand. It costs NZD22/adult
Jevon Choong — Google review
Beautiful place to see Tui and many other birds in glorious location.. Lovely cafe( great soup!) Well worth a visit!
I W — Google review
I have followed Orokonui Eco Sanctuary for a while on Instagram and was thrilled to visit today. Our guide, Jean gave us an informed and fascinating 2 hour tour. The forest was stunning in its richness and variety of vegetation. We brought our binoculars and saw wonderful native birds.
And after, the cafe did good coffee and snacks. I highly recommend this place.
Dunedin Botanic Garden is a beautiful and well-maintained garden that is home to over 6,000 different plant species. It is also affiliated with the tier-three Botanic Garden by the ArbNe, meaning that it meets high international standards in terms of flora preservation. The gardens are open all year round and perfect for a relaxing day out.
A beautiful botanical garden, nice to visit in any season.
The tropical green house is worth viewing, the bird aviary is great too
Had a great coffee and pie at the cafe.
Karen Dwight — Google review
Free parking and entry, the walking is hilly but manageable for the majority of people. That gardens have a great display of more cold weather cottage and forest, but the glasshouse of tropical and cactus was also interesting. Caught the tail end of the rose display, can only imagine how beautiful it would look in full bloom. The look out is a nice view over town. Close to the city and a comfortable 1-2 hours to fully explore. The bird aviary is a must.
Jason Bradley BodyWorx Health — Google review
Great blooms of shrubs, huge trees, many paths to explore, and plenty of benches from which you can admire the view / rest after attacking the hill.
And you're encouraged to feed the ducks!
Free parking and free admission.
The only oddity is the 4.00 pm close on the glasshouse.
Stuart Jones — Google review
Beautiful gardens. We enjoyed our visit very much. Lower gardens easy walking. For the upper gardens there are buggies for hire at low cost for anyone who needs it.
Lovely little shop. No cost to enter.
Lesley Tweddle — Google review
The Botanic Gardens are such a nice place to relax and wander around. There is so much cool information about the plants and birds, and the birds are entertaining to watch and take photos of. There is a choice of easy walking and smaller hills to walk up, but overall an enjoyable, free experience.
Elissa Snowball — Google review
With some different tracks and something to do for everyone of every age, this is a wonderful place to have free fun. Even the birds food grains are free here. Great place to take your children and go for a run. There is a restaurant as well which is not cheap but affordable. Good food. The rose gardens are wonderful and one of the few places where you can smell rose in the world. There is a play zone and u would love the tracks with great old trees. A must go place.
M Tawfique Rahman — Google review
Beautiful gardens and well maintained. You can get free duck food to feed the birds by the lake. We really enjoyed our visit and took our time visiting the different sections of the park. Toilets are clean and accessible
Samantha Chen — Google review
A best place to get refreshed with natural air, chirping of birds. It's near a new world, so you can plan a walk along with groceries too. A variety of parrots are chirping there and provide an amazing colorful view of different parrots. Roses are at their best. You can plant to have a date with your loved one at this place too, having the smell of natural roses. Overall, this place is also good for reading novels, or other books by sitting in the lap of nature. I am sure, you will love it.
Divyang Solanki — Google review
Wonderful and beautiful attraction. The aviary was a hit with the children and so was the playground. It's a decent walk from the bottom to the top of the gardens but many flowers and trees to admire keep you distracted. The gardens are well kept and maintained.
Rebecca Lim — Google review
Such a beautiful place. Feeding duckling and doves will make your day. Aviary at the back is full of colorful birds that will sing with their beautiful voices. But voices in your head will scream to set them free though!
Roman Mortuza — Google review
Sundays call for morning hikes at Dunedin Botanic Gardens! ☺️
We enjoyed a quick hike which started from Love Lock Avenue - there are two trails that start from here. Parking is available but limited to the roadside.
The gardens are very well-kept and maintained, with plenty of benches for pit stops and to simply sit and enjoy the natural elements 👌🏻
Ideal for a morning out with your little and loved ones 🌟
heambrosia reddy — Google review
Really lovely gardens, worth a visit! Easy to get lost in, we had a map but weren't having much luck! Still, a fun place to be lost in!
There are bird aviaries on site, toilets and a cute cafe and gift store.
If you're in Dunedin, well worth a visit!
Michael Engemann — Google review
I've been to many botanical gardens but this one takes the prize!
If you're unstable on your legs there are plenty of walks, if you're mobile then it's great. Fantastic views, grounds are exceptionally maintained and a great cafe on site. You could easily spend a day here.
Photos are the non personal ones
Stuart Duffy — Google review
I once thought Christchurch Botanical Gardens were the most beautiful in South Island, but Dunedin's garden shifted my perspective. Knowing it's maintained by botanists added depth with meaningful stories. Themed borders and sections not only entertained but also sparked ideas for our own gardens. It took three half days to explore, appreciating the well-thought-out efforts. The user-friendly brochure near the info map was excellent.
Kwee Yum Lee (이귀염) — Google review
Great place to take a stroll and enjoy the well kept nature here. Plenty of benches to sit at including some more elevated scenic ones. The provided pictures are only a small portion of what can be found here, exploration is therefore highly recommended!
Tony BUI — Google review
This is one of our all time fav botanic gardens. It's built on a hill, but it's still easy to get around. The lower part of the garden with the pond and rose garden was simply stunning when we visited in November. The roses and rhododendrons were all in flower. There are some birds to view and some gorgeous areas of the top garden including the Australian natives. We highly recommend giving yourself a few hours if you get a chance to visit.
Zoe-lea Whiting — Google review
The botanic gardens are very well kept and feature both historic trees and lots of annual and perennial color. There’s a gift shop and cafe too. You can get free duck food at the information center to feed to the ducks. My favorite was the expansive rose garden.
Laura Spriggs Gray — Google review
The Dunedin Botanic Garden is a versatile haven for all ages. Whether you're into jogging, seeking a play area for kids, or simply admiring a vast array of flora, this garden has it all. The roses garden is a particular highlight, adding a burst of color and fragrance. The convenience of a cafe, information center offering food for ducks and doves, and additional amenities like a small train and bathrooms make it an excellent family-friendly destination. It's a delightful blend of nature, recreation, and relaxation.
Esperanza Rodríguez-Portilla — Google review
Dunedin Botanical garden is a must visit destination for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat into nature's embrace. The combination of heritage trees, a diverse array of flowers, friendly ducks, informative displays, and a convenient cafe make it an all encompassing experience. Whether you are a local seeking solace or a traveler exploring Dunedin, this botanical garden is sure to leave you enchanted and refreshed.
Baldwin Street is the steepest residential street in the world, with a 35% gradient. Held annually as an event, this street sees competitors try to be the fastest to complete the gruelling incline.
It’s basically a steep street.
Your mileage may vary depending on whether you’re there to walk it or drive up the road.
We took a walk up and it was rather easy with the stairs. It’s still a work out but you’ll get a better appreciation for the street as a whole.
Along the way, you’ll see cars driving up the street, dropping people off to take photos and move off after.
We saw some cars struggle to make it up the slope and as it was raining prior, their tires skidded when they were near the top. It was an interesting sight to see.
At the top, there’s a fountain and a bench to rest while the street gives a nice view of the town from here.
Would recommend for a quick cardio climb for fun.
Jonathan Goh — Google review
Good walk. Steep and a thigh burner as expected. Great views at the top with a bench seat and water fountain.
Not suitable to drive for big RV or campers. Sedans and smaller campers probably could make it but no where to park up top anyway. Enjoy the exercise and walk it!
Kenny W — Google review
Enjoyed the beautiful sunset with friends and family. Fun to walk on the street while coming down. There are smaller steps on the right side to claim. Very easy to claim.
When you are in the middle of the street. Watch out for the cars claiming up.
Dhanaraj Rajasekaran — Google review
Not a nice place. Just a very steep concrete road to which tourists are lured to the annoyance of local residents. If you want to do a bit of sport, you can race up the 350m long road as fast as you can. However, when you get to the top, you have a good view. When descending, you can easily check whether the knee joints are still in order.
Ru Wi — Google review
I'm very glad I ticked this experience off my bucket list. This street was pretty cool to walk up and down. The best part of it was the different options to either take the steps or the regular side walk so we did a bit of both. What an incredible free outdoor leg day workout?!
D B — Google review
Well. Impressive. It is really steep, what can I say.
You can park just below the street. Take a short walk up (5-10 minutes) and admire the view.
People taking shots. Cars occasionaly go up and down.
Lukáš Zídka — Google review
A city tour took us to Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world (changes grades nearer to the top). I went a third of the way up and stopped when the sidewalk became stairs. I don’t do stairs whenever humanly avoidable. Many of our intrepid coach companions made it all the way to the top. It is possible to buy a certificate saying you did the climb (Whether you did or not).
This is for the healthier crowd (I was not at the time) as the top is very steep.
Graham Tranter — Google review
Well, you can't visit Dunedin without checking out the Steepest Street in the World! We made the climb and it was made better with some steps to get you up. A great little workout and the view at the top of the opposite side of the valley is beautiful. Free to visit and don't forget the Steep Cafe on the next corner!
Mike Bloemen — Google review
I really enjoy fun and quirky geographical things such as this. It is indeed very steep (who would have thought). There’s a decent amount of street parking on the main road. But be advised that this is absolutely on the tourist route, so lots of buses will stop. Honestly, it makes for very entertaining people watching with clueless tourists with selfie sticks in the middle of the road as a locals fly down the street 😂. Highly recommend a stop. And you have to walk up the street of course.
Andrew Barch — Google review
Quirky is characterized by something peculiar, unexpected trait or aspect.
This 350-metre stretch of road in Dunedin, New Zealand is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world's steepest street.
Its official maximum gradient is 19 degrees (though there are little bits that are 21 degrees) with the ground rising a metre for every 2.86 metres you cover horizontally.
A double entendre is always used in a funny way, and is not meant to hurt or offend anyone. Usually risque that lends itself to more than one interpretation.
The people living at Baldwin street must be very fit and healthy which reminds me of a popular Olivia Newton-John song - Physical.
"I'm saying all the things that I know you'll like
Making good conversation.
I gotta handle you just right
you know what I mean.
I took you to an intimate restaurant
Then to a suggestive movie.
There's nothing left to talk about less it's horizontally.
Let's get physical
physical -
I wanna get physical
let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk
your body talk
Let me hear your body talk.
Let's get physical"
W R Edwards — Google review
A suburban street which apparently has the steepest incline in the world... I am not convinced, but it's recently been recertified by the Guinness book of world records as the world's steepest drivable residential street - a 35 per cent gradient, rising from 30 m to 100 m. Since you're in Dunedin you may as well have a peek and use the opportunity to get some exercise walking up it. Apparently some sprinters can run bottom to top in 2 minutes. I recommend you don't run down! And it's free,...
Walter van Praag — Google review
Leave your level and your idea of how steep something can be. Just imagine a road similar to the one in inception that curves up around then double it. Very steep and at an unimaginable angle. Legend has it if walk the entire thing you will be blessed with goat like features, narrower eyes, stumpier feet and little bumps on your head.
Ros C — Google review
I visited Baldwin Street on last Friday 11 August 2023. This is the famous street in Dunedin.
You can take the photo before you go up or you can also take the photo from up of the street with amazing view.
Anyway this street also use for public, so you need to pay attention maybe some of car will pass your way. But they have a foot path beside. Guinness World Records calls it the steepest street in the world, meaning no street gains more altitude in 10 horizontal metres, measured along the street's centreline..
Must visit place when you visit Dunedin.
Weinardi Fang — Google review
It's steep! You'll get a good walk in heading up the street, if you need to there are stairs and a hand rail.
Jason — Google review
I have to make a detour to this place just to witness how steep it is. Well, it is worth it when it is free. I just have to park my caravan a little further since it is big. Walking up can be very tiring. Anyway, it is just a street and I felt we were bothering the neighborhood when we were here. I don't wish for any strangers walking in front of my house everyday.
Pas De Nom — Google review
Nice place, might not be the steepest street in the world anymore but still worth a visit. Can walk ftom the center and takes around 45min if you are kinda fast
Calvin Wenner — Google review
Not entirely certain if it qualifies as the steepest street in the world as a Google search says otherwise, but definitely one that will keep you fit. We stayed at a BnB closer to the top and needless to say, we were exhausted by the time we got to the top. A good photo OP, just don't try driving to the top.
Aarde A.A. — Google review
It is indeed the steepest road in the world because of the acute rise in altitude in the shortest length of the road! Definitely steeper than Lombard Street. 21 degrees angle using my phone measurement equivalent 23% gradient. Check Wikipedia on its Guinness world records.
Jevon Choong — Google review
It sure is steep! You can work up a sweat walking up and returning down the street. The right side sidewalk has steps to help in climbing up or down. It’s useful to use the steps on the way down as that hits the knees. Coming up is not too difficult.
Deepak Sharma — Google review
Very steep hill to work.. fun driving 🚗 going up. The Baldwin street, which is 1,150ft long, is a comparatively small residential road in Dunedin. But with a gradient of 19 degree, the Baldwin street is the steepest residential street in the world.
Pranesh Chand — Google review
Great experience but please remember that this is an active street and you must respect the residents who live on this street! I saw so many people standing in the middle of the street with no awareness for the cars of residents driving up and down the street semi-frequently.
Please be aware that unless you're a resident of Baldwin St you cannot drive up this street in your own car.
You can walk up the left or right pathway to reach the top and there is a fountain and a seat at the top of the hill if you get tired.
Joanna B — Google review
Easy work, just don't look down. Awesome viewpoint from the top of this small hill.
Please be respectful of the fact that this is a "working" street, and people do live here.
Also, driving to the top in your rental car does not count at having conquered Bladwin Street - use your legs people!
Joseph Burgoyne-Smith — Google review
As someone from the Netherlands (which is quite flat) this was an interesting visit for sure, such a steep street was quite the sight. A fun experience to walk and drive on it for sure. Fun to visit if you are closeby just to experience the steepest street in the world.
Natures Wonders is a nature-based tourism attraction located on the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand. The park allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the country's most delicate wildlife, without the disturbance of zoos or wildlife parks. The staff at Natures Wonders are passionate about their work and strive to provide an experience that is both educational and environmentally friendly.
Oh my goodness- the BEST money we have spent in a long while. Perry’s incredible knowledge and passion as he journeyed us through this protected environment and afforded us up close and personal views of wildlife not usually seen without a zoom lens. The interaction was facilitated in such a way that the wildlife had and felt no fear. Words cannot adequately describe the immense privilege of being on this very personal tour, the penguins sounded like they were purring!! the magical views, the never before seen or understood moments will be with us forever. If you are in Dunedin MAKE THIS A MUST SEE - you will walk away in awe 🤩🐧🦭🪶⛰🥰
Nikki Close — Google review
We had a wonderful time. Managed to spot one of the very few yellow-eyed penguins. Great piece of land. Thank you for these beautiful moments!
Mats Nemelka — Google review
We had a fantastic time. We took our overseas visitors to the Albatross colony, but unfortunately the access was too steep for one. We had a look around and saw the sign for Natures Wonders, and the Open banner. We drove up there and they couldn’t have been more helpful, we asked about tours and were told, they have 4 spaces in an hour on an Argo. So we went on the tour, bounced around a lot, we saw lots of virgin countryside, seals, baby seals, and baby penguins in the nest. Awesome experience.
Robert Side — Google review
Went the beginning of March. Interesting place, with great views of the ocean and crashing waves. Saw lots of seals, but only limited views, through peep holes, of a few baby penguins - not quite the experience I envisioned.
Bob Lockwood — Google review
Truly unique place, the landscape was stunning. I saw a group of baby seals playing about metre away and cute little blue pengines a few centimetres away! Perry, Deborah and the rest of the crew are so passionate about their farm and the wildlife, thank you for the unforgettable experience ❤️ and doing what you do to keep NZ beautiful and wild 🐧recommend end to anyone and everyone
Nikki Stanyon — Google review
Took a shore excursion from a cruise ship to Nature's Wonders to see fur seals and yellow eyed penguins and little blue penguins. Took a camcorder and decided to film the experience. Firstly, Took the bus because we were too slow to get on the ATV. They fill up fast. Next came the fur seals. Filmed some baby pups climbing around the rocks and kelp. Everytime I stopped to film them, I was hurried to move along. Little by little, I was hurried to the end of the path to see more seals. We got back on the bus and it traveled down to the bunkers where the penguins were. We were single filed and told to be quiet. As we approached one of the guides, he had a penguin in a small wooden enclosure. I was just a foot away from the little bird. I took my camcorder out and before I could turn it on, the guide put his hand in front of the lens and said no photos. I was shocked. I said why? He told me the penguins have never seen a lens before and didn't want them to get used to it. What? Ok, next penguins. Same thing. At the end, I saw about 5 penguins with no footage. I was disappointed to say the least. I traveled all the way there to New Zealand, and saw these rare birds and not have a single picture of them. I thought of the Sistine Chapel. But at least, they sold postcards in the gift shop. Not here. No postcards. No books. Overall, it was a nice visit but forget about bringing a camera or camcorder. No use of phones either.
Tony Li — Google review
We had the most amazing time the Argo tour with our guide,Perry, who owns Natures Wonders. His passion and enthusiasm about wildlife is unmatched.
We were able to see the seals, albatross and penguins from up close and personal.
Overall a wonderful experience and highly recommended the tour.
Priyanka Roy — Google review
There are no words that accurately describe the beauty of the area and the folks working here! Perry was an absolute gem, he had me laughing the whole time with his quick jokes! A wonderful experience and the work they do to ensure safety for the animals around it’s just incredible! Definitely will be coming back
Michelle Alvarez — Google review
Knowledgeable and friendly guides! Also commendable effort put into conserving NZ wildlife. Was lucky to spot 2 yellow eyed penguins
Grace — Google review
Most amazing place. Lots of baby seals and penguins, the staff were fantastic and knew so much. Highly recommend making the trip here.
Amelia Wing — Google review
We had the most wonderful experience at Natures Wonders, guided by Perry who is so passionate about conserving this special part of the world. We got to see so many fur seals and fur seal pups, plus blue penguins and even a yellow eyed penguin. We were warmly welcomed on arrival, with true Kiwi hospitality 🥰 An unforgettable experience!
Jasmine Smith — Google review
Me and my girlfriend had an absolute blast! Cannot recommend this place enough. The staff is wonderful, informative and engaging. We booked directly through them and ended up just being the two of us with our guide, could not have been a better experience. Saw countless seals and around 8 penguins! Definitely book ahead as I'm sure this place normally fills up!
Cody Velin — Google review
We have recently enjoyed a 3 week trip around the bottom of the South Island. While in Dunedin, we booked an Argo Wildlife Tour with Nature’s Wonders and this turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of our holiday.
We consider it a great privilege to have met the owner of this land and eco-tourism venture, Perry Reid, and to have experienced a personal tour with him on his family property. Perry has amazing knowledge, passion and enthusiasm. It was inspiring to learn how this family have been committed to developing the land and wildlife conservation on their property.
We were thrilled to get truly up-close viewing of blue penguins and fur seals and to experience that this wildlife had no fear of us. We learned that this is due, in part, to a policy of no touching, tagging or feeding of the wildlife.
The scenery and views from the property are stunning. The ride on the Argo was a new experience for us and was good fun.
We definitely plan return to Nature’s Wonders in the future. Thank you, Perry, for a fabulous visit. We will have no hesitation in recommending this tour to others.
Willie, Steph & Ana Robinson — Google review
We were able to observe wild fur seals and penguins in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Was the highlight of our 2 week New Zealand trip. I was so impressed by the mission and passion of this organization. Perry is a true gem...there are few pristine places left in this world and I admire his mission to protect this one.
Located in the heart of Dunedin, Dunedin Chinese Garden is a popular tourist attraction with beautiful architecture and landscaping. The garden honors the relationship between Dunedin and its sister city, Shanghai and features traditional Chinese architecture and landscaping. It can accommodate up to 100 guests in meeting spaces, making it perfect for a variety of events.
Very nice place to visit while in Dunedin. During Chinese New Year we got entry for $5 per person (50% discount), plus a free fortune cookie. I think for this price it is good, but at full price I am not sure it is worth it. There is an interesting gate outside which you can see for free. Inside it is a self guided walk around the garden. With the leaflet you can learn about different elements in the garden. There is a small room upstairs near the toilets where you can watch a film about the history behind how Chinese people came to Otago. It takes about 1 hour to look around going at a relaxed pace.
Wild Lovely World — Google review
A stunning traditional Chinese garden and it every turn a perfect photo opportunity. I ended up taking hundreds of photos of this beautiful garden and it was well worth the small entry fee. It is amazing how quiet and peaceful it is within the garden even though you ride in the city next to the train station. We felt transported to a different world and really enjoyed learning about the Chinese heritage of Otago. The most fascinating fact we learned was of the custom-designed roof tiles I think they were about 38,000 of them that were made in China with a unique pattern to these gardens and if each individual tile was laid side-by-side they would stretch from Dunedin to Christchurch. Worth noting that dogs are not allowed, we couldn’t find this information anywhere online before going so thought best to add into our review here as it may help someone else.
Justin Boyd — Google review
The place is absolutely beautiful and is a cultural enlightening experience. Drinking tea within the tea house is a truly special experience, and it’s nice having authentic Chinese dim sum. Glad they put real ducks this year because there weren’t any last year.
I love pasta — Google review
Beautiful traditional gardens located near the city centre. It is a wonderful place to visit to get away from the noise and busy city life.
There are many interesting facts about the gardens' construction and relationship of China and New Zealand.
Letha Rangard — Google review
What an AMAZING place and a WONDERFUL tour experience! Definitely the best travel experience in New Zealand ever! An absolute hidden gem in Dunedin, quite possibly in New Zealand. 👍👍👍 No kidding!
Upon entering, you will pleasantly find yourself in a breath-taking, mesmerizing world exotically decorated by beautiful and artistic antique architecture with elaborate, hearty designs vividly displaying fantastic Chinese historical and cultural symbols and meanings, all of which contributing to an unbelievably harmonious vibe. Equally important was the super friendly and heart-warming service kindly and generously offered by Sky and Fei. Thank you so much, Sky, for your great help, support and service, which has made my first visit here a fond memory for the rest of my life. Thanks heaps, Fei, for your great help with visiting the library and the tea house.
Will definitely come visit again with family and friends. 😊😊😊
David Chen — Google review
This was an interesting and unusual find in the middle of Dunedin.
Chinese people played an important role in the development of the goldfields and have been part of the community in Dunedin for a long time. The gardens were developed to tell their story and to develop links with China. They were handed over to the City Council following their development.
The gardens are fairly compact, with a lot of nooks and crannies to explore and some interesting stories about the attention that went into their planning and development. I imagine a second and subsequent visits would find something new.
We had some nice tea, from an interesting selection, at a table in the garden room.
James West — Google review
It is a beautiful place. You can enjoy tea there as well. 30min to 40min is enough to complete the walk.
tonima hoque — Google review
We had a perfect wedding here!
The minute we saw Lan Yuan, we decided we would have our wedding here. This is an authentic Chinese garden with great details.
The wedding also wouldn't have been perfect without the help from the friendly Garden staff member Theodore.
We don't live in Dunedin, therefore it was rather difficult to organise things. However with Theodore's help, the process was seamless, and the wedding was truly perfect.
Shenbo Xuan — Google review
Lovely place, would recommend going there when flowers are in bloom or when there is snow to give it that majestic look. Staff were warm and welcoming and the gift shop was cute albeit small. The history is very interesting.
Shai P — Google review
A beautiful calm oasis in the heart of the city. Come here to get some peace and quiet as it was originally intended. It’s a gorgeous Chinese garden surrounded by typically Chinese architecture, with lovely little surprises hidden around every corner (including a penjing collection for any fellow bonsai lovers). It only costs $5 to enter, and it’s more than worth the entry fee. Once you make it around to the tea area you can challenge whoever you’re with to a game of chess or checkers, and enjoy a pot of tea.
Alexandra Hawkhead — Google review
Pretty quick experience but fantastic price and absolutely beautiful place. It is a rare beauty and place of quiet in a very bustling city. Amazing insight into some history and Chinese architecture.
Calani Payton — Google review
Lovely serene garden on the outskirts of the city centre. I went on an overcast winter day which would not have done justice to it. Interesting to read about the history of the Chinese community in Dunedin from the panels within the Garden. Plenty of space and seating to take in the Garden or sit inside the air conditioned pavilion which has games to play. There is also a small shop selling refreshments and souvenirs. A free map and audio guide is available to help you enjoy your visit. It’s next to the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum so the two attractions would be good options to spend a morning or afternoon.
Eddie — Google review
This was an inexpensive thing to go to check out, and I really didn’t think it would amount to much.
It was absolutely serene and beautifully done! You can spend as much or as little time in there as you want.
And it is very interesting to learn about Dunedin’s Chinese history.
Sherree Vickers — Google review
I had been here just ro see how Chinese Garden is like.I saw it and it was diff from the other garden.A perfect miniature of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, this Garden encapsulates the essence of nature. Recognized as a six-star Garden of International Significance, its purpose is to guide you on a journey towards a deeper appreciation of history, culture, heritage, and tradition.
The Garden was open on September 2008 although to make garden it was commenced from decade by New Zealand 1997 but due to many difficulties it took many years to build.
In Garden when you will visit you will be able to see a different vibe,it has good amount of collection with its rivh history,culture it has a room from where you can get many information about it.
Nicely time spend there.You can definately enjoy there as it vibes different.
Nids — Google review
A very nice and quiet place to spend some time, reflecting the history of the Chinese people in Dunedin through the ages, from the gold rush to the modern times. Should not miss the video catalogue on the first floor, or the tea shop run by the nice lady with the cutest daughter.
Deepak Sharma — Google review
Gorgeous little garden with a lot of interesting history of Chinese immigrants in Dunedin. Make sure you ask for the free guided audio tour devices to get the most out of your visit!
Hope Yu — Google review
Fantastic place to visit for relaxation in a hustle and bustle of Dunedin city.
We visited on Anzac day, it was sunny and not busy at all.
On entry (which is $10pp) one gets the map of the place with descriptions of areas of the gardens and building. The map can also be reused once you visit comes to an end.
We played chess for over an hour. Haven't tried any of the other provided games as had no knowledge of these. But one who does, would find the experience authentic.
We relaxed in the sun and generally enjoyed the atmosphere of this unique place, that is unique to the country.
There are toilets available so no need to rush your experience if you come by with a book.
A cute little shop is located in the gardens corner with plenty of bits and bobs to buy. We hit ourselves two fortune cookies - nice touch.
Unique place worth the money and time - make sure to have plenty of the latter .
Petra Chaloupkova — Google review
Very nicely down to recreate an authentic Chinese-feel scenery setting in a compact space with a small but sizable man-made lake with willow et all.
The Otago Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning and offers a variety of local meats, produce, artisanal goods, and snacks. Visitors can find fresh herbs, lettuce, apples, and other fruits at varying prices. It's the perfect spot to stroll around in the sun while enjoying a cup of coffee or trying some bagels, crepes or cheese rolls. The market is known for its great quality produce which can run out quickly so it's best to arrive early in the day.
Near perfect for a beach side picnic. A great expanse of seashore with a lovely view. Assorted avians make for an interesting view, e.g. birds picking up shells and dropping them from a distance to pop them open, & our new friend Larry (see photo). If winds are favorable, there are a few waves for easy surfing as well.
One missing star is because of some flies near the grass where it's supposedly ideal to pit down a picnic blanket. Other than that, would definitely recommend for a casual relaxing day out.
P.S. This is not where you can find lots of shells for shell picking. We tried looking. 😅 It's the one inland.
Anthony Kevin Campos — Google review
Great little beach with plenty of parking. About a minute before you reach the beach there is a community center with functional restrooms.
Saw a seal come in here. There were guys fishing (?) for crabs. They caught a ton. Assuming the seal was trying to steal their haul. Highly recommend a stop if in the area.
Andrew Barch — Google review
Love this beach. Awesome views and white sands. Very nice to have a walk.
Kallie Scheepers — Google review
Fabulous place to take your dogs but be on the watch for sea lions coming out of the sea.
Elaine Grant-Dolby — Google review
Great beach a short drive from Port Chalmers. Lots to see and do, walk the end of the spit usually lots of seals to be seen. Nice beach for a dip and rock pools for exploring. Often Mickys food truck is there with yummy burgers. There are Porta loos. There are also two big bins of toys at each beach entry with toys that can be borrowed and put back once done - I thought this was a really cool idea.
Hollie Humphries — Google review
Sea lions, albatross, gulls, sea shells can all be discovered on a good day, not to mention wonderful surf, a fantastic swimming beach.
Step off the mill and dive deeply into nature
Andrew Clancey — Google review
Great beach - dogs allowed on eastern end, one of the best sand dunes for sliding down in Dunedin (without Sandfly Bay's tough walk back up), often see surfers and wildlife (including fur seals/kekeno) and some shady spots on those super hot days.
John E — Google review
Stunning beach, great escape from the city if you're looking for somewhere peaceful. Awesome waves when the conditions are right for surfing, or you can just stroll down the beach enjoying the serenity and views. You can often find seals dotted along the mole, which extends a long way out into the bay. If you're lucky and out and about at the right times of the day you can spot rare yellow eyed penguins either leaving their nests to fish, or returning back home. Well worth the long windy trip along the harbour from Dunedin.
Rob Hannagan — Google review
It is a nice beach for a walk or perhaps a swim on a fine, warm day. There are a considerable number of seals on the rocks at the north end.
John Adamson — Google review
Great beach. Watch out for lots of shells near the shore line. Can upset little feet. Great place to visit
The white-sand beach at Saint Clair is a stunning spot with good surf breaks that's perfect for learning to surf or just hanging out with friends. The beach is situated close to the city centre and has plenty of seafood restaurants and bars to enjoy while there.
Beautiful 180 degrees view of the beach from the pier. Great cafes and restaurants to eat and take a nice stroll along the beach.
Keith Chen — Google review
Beach is very beautiful and scenic,you can go for dog walk,family time,alone,exercise etc.
You can even juat relax at this beach its very breezy and comforting for one and perfect spot for chilling.
There are option for people who want to do surfing.
Nids — Google review
It's a beautiful place especially during summer where you can chill by the beach or take walk. On hot days you can find ice cream and there are coffee shops too. Public showers and toilets are ideally located along the footpath next to the surf guard house.
Charlie Ikosi — Google review
A "must visit"!
The ocean offers such bliss! Plenty of benches to relax on and take in the beach view.. and plenty of surfers to keep one entertained for hours! 👌🏻
There are a few restaurants nearby 💃
Parking is a bit of an issue. However, there are plenty of parking bays on the roadside so just be on the lookout for one 😉
heambrosia reddy — Google review
Gorgeous peaceful place
Had breakfast and couple of coffees after our walk to Tunnel beach
Would definitely recommend the cafe at the front
Staff very welcoming, kind and accommodating
Stace Mc — Google review
Clean and stunning beach located in south Dunedin.
The beach view is amazing from the top.
There are plenty of car parks and good restaurants on the site.
The beach is good for surfing.
Eranga Dissanayaka — Google review
This beach offers a great walk and some cool places to grab a bite to eat.
Jason — Google review
Beautiful big beach to go for a walk along with plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.
The whole area was very clean with no litter to be seen and everyone seemed to take care of the dogs they were walking around other people.
You would have to be brave to go for a swim as the water is cold but no problems for the surfers wearing a wetsuit.
brendon yardley — Google review
Most vibrant beach in Dunedin with nice restaurants and the pool at the end. Parking is free by the beach and if you wait and circle around you should be able to find some.
Bryan — Google review
Beach has been eroded away but still a lovely place for photos ot just getting your chill on. Several nice shop and cafes along the Esplanade. Can get windy!
Jive Blue — Google review
Very ocean smell. But great seaside life. Amenities and business there are great. Wonderful place for lazy Sundays. Many great places to visit on the way there. Thanks