Edit

Dunedin

Travel Guide Oceania Polynesia New Zealand South Island Otago Region Dunedin

Introduction

Railway Station in Dunedin

Dunedin (Ōtepoti in Maori) is located on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, on the Otago Peninsula. It is home to numerous 19th century buildings from an era when it was New Zealand's largest city. It is home to the University of Otago, New Zealand's oldest university and the South Island's largest employer. During the university summer holiday (November - February), the city is notably quieter as a result.

edit

Sights and Activities

Dunedin Railway Station is the city's most important architectural building.
Otago University is the country's oldest university. There are some nice grounds to walk around and good local cafés and bars nearby.
The Royal Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head is the world's only mainland nesting site of albatrosses.
Otago Museum was founded in 1868 and has a collection of 2 million+ artifacts and specimens from the fields of natural science and human history.
Otago Settlers Museum.
Dunedin Public Art Gallery is New Zealand's oldest public art gallery and houses a considerable collection of works from various eras by New Zealand and overseas artists. It has one of the largest collections of works by Frances Hodgkins, who was born in the city.
Carisbrook is the city's main sporting venue, and a good place to catch some rugby.
Otakou marae is a Maori church / meeting-house that gave the Otago Peninsula its name.
Larnach Castle
Cadbury World, run by the Cadbury Chocolate Company, allows an insight into the running of a chocolate factory. Full tours (75 minutes) run from Monday to Friday and cost $18 per adult (16+), $12 per child and free for under 5 year olds. On the weekends a shortened tour (45 mins) costs $12 per adult and $7 per child. The tours run from 9:00am to 3:15pm, with extended hours during school holidays.
Speight's offers tours of its brewery. $19 for adults, $7 for children (under 18), free for children under 5. Tours run at 10:00am, 12:00 noon, 2:00pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm Mondays-Thursdays. Friday to Sunday they run at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 6:00pm. ^[1]
Hare Hill is a lovely 60 acre farm located in Deborah Bay on the north side of the Otago Harbour, close to historic Port Chalmers and only 20 minutes drive from Dunedin. Hare Hill offers horse riding suitable for the beginner right through to the more advanced rider throughout the year.

edit

Events and Festivals

The Southern Festival of Speed is a classic car road-race run in January.
Every other February, checkers players meet in Dunedin for the New Zealand Masters Games.
The Dunedin Summer Festival is held in February.
Id Dunedin Fashion Week is in March.
Capping week (University of Otago) including the Capping Show is run by the Otago University Students' Association in May.
The Otago Rally (May).
New Zealand International Science Festival (every other year in July).
Taste Otago Dunedin Food and Wine Festival (July).
Cadbury Chocolate Carnival (July).
Dunedin International Film Festival (July-August).
Samstock Music Festival (September).
Otago Festival of the Arts (and Fringe Festival) (every other year in October).
Rhododendron Week (October).
Santa Parade (December).
Whare Flat Folk Festival (December-January).
New Year's Eve Party Octagon (December).

edit

Weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg Max	18.9 °C	18.9 °C	17.4 °C	15.5 °C	12.8 °C	10.3 °C	9.9 °C	11 °C	12.9 °C	14.8 °C	16 °C	17.4 °C
Avg Min	11.5 °C	11.5 °C	10.3 °C	8.3 °C	5.8 °C	3.8 °C	3.2 °C	4.1 °C	5.7 °C	7.2 °C	8.6 °C	10.4 °C
Rainfall	84.2 mm	73.8 mm	89.2 mm	71.4 mm	87.7 mm	90.1 mm	100.1 mm	91.6 mm	70.6 mm	90.3 mm	77.4 mm	87.8 mm
Rain Days	10.9	9.1	9.9	10.4	12.2	10.9	10	11.1	10.5	13.5	12.5	13.6

edit

Getting There

By Plane

Dunedin International Airport (DUD) has a number of flights. Air New Zealand flies to/from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
Virgin Blue, operated by Pacific Blue, flies to/from Christchurch, Auckland and Brisbane.

By Train

The Taieri Gorge Railway journey, and the Pacific Coast Railway journey to Palmerston and back are the main scenic railway journeys.

By Bus

Intercity has buses to Oamaru (1,5 hours), Christchurch (6 hours), Queenstown (4,5 hours), Te Anau (4,5 hours) and Invercargill (4 hours).
Southern Link goes to Christchurch and Oamaru and Coastline Tours goes to Oamaru as well.
Naked Bus connects Dunedin with Christchurch, Queenstown, Te Anau and Invercargill. Bottom Bus does a circuit to Invercargill, Te Anau, Queenstown and back to Dunedin. Catlins Coaster goes to Invercargill, returning via the Catlins.
There are quite a few more shuttle bus services going to the places mentioned above, and also to Wanaka.

edit

Getting Around

By Car

Some of the options to rent cars include the following companies:

edit

Sleep

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
Central Backpackers Dunedin	PO Box 5620 Dunedin	Hostel	82
Elmlodge	74 Elm Row, City Rise	Hostel	74
Highbrae Guesthouse	376 High Street	Guesthouse	-
LivingSpace Dunedin	192 Castle Street	Hotel	81
Manor House Backpackers	28 Manor Place, Dunedin, PO Box 624, Dunedin	Hostel	77
Penny's Backpackers	6 Stafford St.	Hostel	73
On Top Backpackers	12 Filleul St Dunedin	Hostel	79
Arden Street House	36 Arden Street Opoho	Guesthouse	-

edit

Learn

University of Otago - the oldest university of the country.

edit

Keep Connected

Phone

Post

Most areas have dedicated PostShops, however stamps can also be bought at grocery shops, supermarkets and book stores. There are two main formats for domestic mail, namely Standard Post and Fast Post. Fast Post is used next day delivery between major towns and cities (two days from rural areas), whereas Standard Post will take a few working days to deliver nationwide. Standard costs NZ$0.40 for letters/postcards (NZ$0.80 for larger envelopes), Fast Post costs NZ$0.80 (NZ$1.20 for larger envelopes). International mail takes about 3-6 days to Australia (NZ$1.50), and 6-12 days to Europe, Asia and the United States (NZ$2). Post boxes are white, red and black and can be found in many areas throughout towns and cities, including information about when their contents are collected. Most post offices and smaller post shops have opening hours from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Saturday. You can buy stamps here, or at newsagents and general stores. For parcels, you can use the NZ Post or otherwise courier companies like TNT, DHL, UPS or FedEx.