Located on the Otago Coast, Dunedin was founded by sea-faring Scottish settlers, whalers and gold miners around 150 years ago. The name Dunedin actually comes from the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh – Dun Eideann.
It’s a city of superlatives: it has New Zealand’s oldest university (University of Otago), steepest street (Baldwin Street) and most photographed building (Dunedin Railway Station.)
It may be small, but it has a lot to enjoy – including great food, cool culture and plenty of natural beauty. Dunedin is also a UNESCO City of Literature, and the art, writing and creative scene here is thriving.
One of the delights of exploring Dunedin is that so many buildings in the downtown core have historic significance. It is thought to be one of the most well-preserved cities from the Victorian and Edwardian era in the Southern Hemisphere.
Be sure to also visit Larnach Castle – the stately and opulent home of an early Dunedin politician and the only castle in New Zealand.
Don’t miss the impressive Dunedin Railway Station, made from stone in an elegant Flemish Renaissance Style. This huge and imposing structure reflects the wealth Dunedin experienced during the Gold Rush era (pictured below).