Dunedin Attractions

Top Things to Do in Dunedin, New Zealand - Dunedin Attractions

Things to Do in Dunedin


Top Attractions in Dunedin

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Points of Interest & Landmarks
The only chance to see... the world's only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Colony. A unique experience to access the nature reserve to see giant albatross court, mate, raise their chicks and show off their three metre wingspans. Taiaroa Head/Pukekura is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. Experience it for yourself by taking a guided tour through the Nature Reserve into the viewing Observatory. The 2012 latest Lonely Planet publication "1000 Ultimate Sights" features the Royal Albatross Centre alongside the Taj Mahal and Grand Canyon. They say of us: Here at one of New Zealand's hottest attractions the draw card is the bird life. Taiaroa Head is the site of the world's only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can observe the spectacle of the albatrosses with wingspans of up to 3m coming in to land like a succession of 747s. The Royal Albatross Centre is located on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, about a 45 minute drive from Dunedin. We are operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust, a charitable trust formed in 1967 for the protection of the local natural environment. The Nature Reserve on Taiaroa Head is managed by the Department of Conservation. Taiaroa Head is also famous in New Zealand history. From a small Maori camp in the 1300s to a fortified pa where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840; from a wooden flagstaff to 1864 lighthouse to radar entrance for Otago Harbour; from an 1880s underground fortress to a large defence base in WWII. Taiaroa Head is today a Nature Reserve and an iconic wildlife attraction.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Paul P
    Melbourne, Australia233 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was totally impressed with the museum. It covers Otago from the first people up to today. It has detail aplenty, or you can just walk through the collection and see the changes over the years. At least an hour but you could spend much more,
    It has been so well done utilising a number of buildings a d starting in a new modern one. You seamlessly walk through and end up in the old road authority art Deco building. Remember to get a shot of it from the outside too.
    Want more? It is free!
    My favourite was the huge mainframe computer with a humongous 12k or so of memory.
    A must do in Dunedin.
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Skaj2
    Christchurch, New Zealand32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic tour with Chris. Very knowledgeable and so much enthusiasm.
    The house itself was magnificent and such a treasure to view.
    If you love history, you need to visit.
    Written 3 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael C
    Derby, UK2,011 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited this area as part of a trip to the Royal Albatross Visitor Centre. The views of the coastline, and of the whole harbour are stunning. An enjoyable trip.
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BigMerk
    Glasgow, UK2,303 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visited here as part of a Cruise ship tour. It’s about 20 minutes driving from Dunedin and stands in impressive grounds with fantastic views out onto the sea. It’s not huge (like an ancient castle) but it’s much larger than a big house. We were met at the entrance by one of the tour guides who proceeded to guide us around various parts of the house explaining the background and the story of its original owners. All very interesting.
    Written 4 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BrundallbazNorwich
    Norwich, UK121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ate here and everything was top notch from friendly waitress finding us a table for two when they were pretty busy. Excellent service, great beers and food, massive portions and reasonable prices. Highly recommended
    Written 11 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • steve r
    Wellesley, Canada6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great staff, wonderful experience….truly worth the trip! Awesome work being done by all the people involved and a chance to see wonderful creatures in their natural habitat
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gary Jones
    33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went on the extended tour which covers seeing the Albatross birds and war fort and tunnels. The guide was excellent. Great to see the birds out of the wind. War fort and tunnels interesting.
    Written 11 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Elaine H
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing VR exhibit, friendly staff. Great place to visit on a rainy summer day! We’ll be back soon to check out the indoor rainforest.
    Written 27 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Go60889726654
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Such an mazing place! It’s my second time visiting, but really hoping to come back a few more❤️Also BIG THANK YOU to Margaret, a lovely lady from information center,who went extra mile for us and lend us her personal umbrella while we were cruising the gardens under the rain.
    Written 5 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • evets1232016
    Sydney, Australia437 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It's an altitude difference of about 150m between the car park and the beach, but the views of the wild cliffs and coastline, and the beauty of the beach itself when you get there, make the climb back to the car park worthwhile. Just be aware access to the beach requires climbing over many large pebbles, and would not be suitable for those with impaired mobility. There are two tracks between the car park and the beach-it's best to choose the longer track with the more gentle gradient on the way back!
    Written 14 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • j j
    sydney30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very special place. We saw Takahe and chick, so lucky. This is for people who want to see special/ rare nature. The cafe was pretty special too small but really good and very welcome on a wet day.
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cristina T
    como60 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We come from Italy and for us the experience of seing seals and penguins from such a short distance was absolutely fantastic. The one-hour ride up the hills and down to the beach is something we'll never forget. Perry and his staff are true nature-lovers who put their souls in their work, we're so glad that we could experience for a short time the beauty they see every day. Definitely worth visiting!
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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