We have fine examples of working heritage like Speight’s Brewery, the Gasworks Museum and the Taieri Gorge Railway. We welcome visitors to the stately homes Larnach Castle and Olveston, and showcase standout Victorian and Edwardian buildings like First Church and Dunedin Railway Station.

Pictured: First Church

There’s good surfing north and south and a host of safe swimming beaches. St. Clair with its vibrant and cosmopolitan Esplanade is just ten minutes from the city; other gems include Tunnel Beach , Long Beach and Brighton.

Pictured: St. Clair Beach

Protected woodland - the Town Belt – demarks the inner city. Gardens, public and private, adorn Dunedin and provide year-round interest. Four of them – Dunedin Botanic Garden, Larnach Castle Garden, Glenfalloch Woodland Garden and Wylde Willow Garden - are Gardens of International Significance.

Pictured: Larnach Castle Garden

There are numerous scenic walks around Dunedin. Short tracks criss-cross Otago Peninsula, the Town Belt and Ross Creek; and there’s the attraction – or otherwise – of tackling Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street.

Further afield, there are tracks near the Taieri River and Silverstream, half-day hikes along Dunedin’s dramatic skyline (the Pineapple, Leith Saddle and Mt Cargill Tracks), walks to mysterious places like Tunnel Beach, and serious hikes in the Silver Peaks.

Many of Dunedin’s iconic buildings - think First Church, The Municipal Chambers, Dunedin Railway Station - are found in and near The Octagon. This area is flat and best viewed on foot. Follow the heritage trails or get real value by joining a guided walk.

Pictured: Silver Peaks

One of the great joys of shopping in Dunedin is the plethora of interesting and quirky local shops, most of which are found within walking distance of the Octagon. There’s something very alluring about stepping over the threshold of a small, owner-operated store full of fascinating finds.

We’ve put together a handy buy-local guide with some of the city’s best retail emporiums. Shop the trendy vintage stores stocked with retro treasures, find a literary gem in one of the city’s many book stores or browse the local design stores for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Pictured: Otago Farmers Market (every Saturday)