Occupying a remote spot in the south of the South Island, Dunedin is worth going out of your way to visit. As the South Island’s second-largest city—and one of the oldest in New Zealand—it offers a range of cultural, historic, natural, and outdoorsy activities. Dunedin’s Scottish heritage looms large in its architecture and cultural imagination, and the nearby Otago Peninsula is a haven for wildlife that flourishes in these southern climes—fur seals, penguins, and albatross. Yes, the weather can be bracing, but there are plenty of things to do in Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, whatever the temperature.
Dunedin is towards the bottom of the South Island, so it experiences cool summers and cold winters. The average high temperature in midsummer is around 64°F (18°C), and the average low in winter is around 34°F (1°C). Although snow is uncommon, it can settle on the surrounding hills. The best time to visit is between late spring and early autumn (November–March) when the weather is best for getting outdoors.
Dunedin has a public bus system that can be useful for getting from one end of the city to another, and out to beachside suburbs such as St. Claire, St. Kilda, and a few places on the Otago Peninsula. Although Dunedin has a famous railway station, there are no longer regular train services, other than long-distance scenic routes. To explore the Otago Peninsula more extensively, you’ll need a car or to join a tour.
With around 21,000 students and 4,000 staff in a city of 126,000 people, there’s no getting away from the impact of the University of Otago in Dunedin–unless you visit in summer. Many of the university’s students return to other parts of the country between December and February, and so if you’re visiting then you may be surprised by how quiet the city is, especially North Dunedin. Enjoy the peace because by orientation week in late February, it’s a different story.
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With one day in Dunedin, you can explore the inner-city’s attractions or get out onto the Otago Peninsula. In the city, you can check out the impressive architecture around the Octagon, the Railway Station, and the university. On the peninsula, spot seals on the beaches, and penguins and albatross at reserves.
...MoreDunedin is best known for its impressive university, Scottish heritage, neo-Gothic architecture, and the natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula. It’s also known for having the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street, as declared by the Guinness Book of World Records.
...MoreDunedin is an interesting city in many ways. It was founded by Scottish settlers in 1848 and is home to New Zealand’s oldest university, the University of Otago. There are several beautiful neo-Gothic buildings in the city. Dunedin also encompasses the windswept Otago Peninsula, a haven for birds and wildlife.
...MoreDunedin has several indoor cultural attractions that you can retreat to when it’s raining or cold outside. These include the Otago Museum, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Olveston Historic Home, Toitu Otago Settlers’ Museum, and Larnach’s Castle on the Otago Peninsula. There are also many cafes, restaurants, and bars.
...MoreYes, Dunedin is worth visiting. It’s the second-largest city on the South Island (after Christchurch) and has a range of cultural, natural, and outdoor attractions to enjoy. It’s also home to New Zealand’s oldest university and a thriving student scene with plenty of nightlife to boot.
...MoreThe best time to visit Dunedin is between late spring and early autumn (November–March) when the weather is most pleasant for getting outdoors. In the southern South Island, Dunedin experiences cool summers and cold winters, but snow is rare. While Dunedin does attract tourists, there’s not the same mid-summer rush as there is in some other parts of New Zealand.
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