At a time when thoughts are racing about where to travel in New Zealand, Eliza Velk weighs in with Dunedin, one of the country’s coolest, most underrated cities. Here are the best things to do in Dunedin with kids.
Often referred to as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, this quirky South Island city delivers everything you want from a holiday. Think ancient castles, natural pyramids, interactive museums, beach-laden coastlines, epic wildlife and art-filled streets.
With so much to see and do, here’s how we recommend spending your time in Dunedin.
Kick off your adventures in the heart of the city, starting at The Octagon. The Octagon is an eight-sided plaza surrounded by shops, restaurants, museums and a tourist information centre. With gothic architecture lining the streets, it doesn’t take long to notice the city’s Scottish influence.
Delve further into the city’s history at the family-favourite Otago Museum and Tuhura Science Centre. Here you’ll find incredible interactive displays including a butterfly house, a 360-degree planetarium and a giant DNA-inspired helical slide. Another museum that caters to kids with dress ups and hands-on activities is Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Neighbouring the museum is the tranquil Lan Yuan Chinese Garden and a tea house serving up traditional Chinese tea, steamed buns and dumplings.
For more stunning gardens, Dunedin Botanic Garden near Otago Museum offers beautifully manicured grounds, a playground for the kids and a cafe for lunch. Then discover the city’s creative streak by taking a stroll along the Dunedin Street Art Trail, featuring vibrant, whimsical artworks scattered around corners, down alleyways and up the sides of buildings.
Hungry? Fill up on burgers at Good Good, or Italian at Etrusco at the Savoy, both just steps from The Octagon.
A trip to Dunedin isn’t complete without visiting Larnach Castle on top of the Otago Peninsula. Kids will love roaming the enchanting gardens and exploring the maze of rooms. Those that behave, can then finish with a sweet treat in the Ballroom Cafe.
Not far from the castle is the lovely Macandrew Bay, a sheltered and shallow beach, perfect for young families. Alternatively, Sandfly Bay on the opposite side of the peninsula provides littlies the perfect sand dunes for sliding down and a view of sea lions sunbathing on the sand.
From there, head further east to The Pyramids at Okia Reserve. These naturally geometric basalt columns are not only fun to climb but offer scenic views of the reserve – a great sunrise hike.
At the end of the peninsula, you’ll find Penguin Place, a conservation reserve home to the little yellow-eyed penguins. Nearby is also The Royal Albatross Centre, home to the world’s only mainland breeding albatross colony. Both options offer guided walking tours. Or, alternatively, you can get up close on one of the many wildlife and harbour cruises offered in the area.
How you spend day three depends on your family’s interests. A visit to Dunedin’s ‘cloud forest’ at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, where kids can spot ancient lizards and rare native birds on a guided tour, is always a winner. Along the way, be sure to check out Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest residential street that will have your quads burning on a climb to the top.
If your kids prefer farm animals over reptiles, Animal Ark Dunedin is one of the city’s newest attractions offering hands-on experiences with animals such as llamas, goats, horses, rabbits and donkeys. Just around the corner you can navigate a life-size hedge maze or have a hit of golf at Wal’s Plant and Fun Land.
If you’re visiting in summer, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre is St Clair Beach. Clair Beach is one of Dunedin’s most popular swimming spots and features an esplanade lined with cafes, restaurants and playgrounds. At the southern end of the beach is a hot saltwater pool and toddler pool. In the winter months, pop across the road to the Dunedin Ice Stadium for a go at bumper cars on ice instead.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.
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