Dunedin First XI: Tourist highlights

If you are looking for something to do in between the cricket, we have found 11 must-do activities in this historic city!

Dunedin will host three matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, including the highly anticipated Scotland versus New Zealand match. For a full list of fixtures in Dunedin, click here.

How steep can you get?
In Dunedin’s North East Valley, Baldwin Street is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world. Try counting the steps; it takes about ten minutes just to walk about 350 metres! But don't worry, there's a drinking fountain at the top. It is the venue of the world-famous Jaffa Race that takes place annually during Cadbury’s Dunedin Chocolate Carnival, where 25,000 sweets are rolled down the street en-masse.

An age of elegance
Identified as one of New Zealand’s most majestic and photographed heritage buildings, the Dunedin Railway Station has astonished visitors for over 100 years. With its stunning exterior as well as the exquisite interior stained glass windows and mosaic floor tiles by Royal Doulton, the station is a must see for any visitor to Dunedin. The station also plays host to thousands of visitors every Saturday morning for the Otago Farmers Market. Visit website.

A step back in time
Discover New Zealand’s only castle with its tragic and romantic history. Located on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle was built in 1871 by William Larnach, businessman and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. Take a tour of the now privately owned castle that is full of antiques and curiosities. From the top of the tower enjoy a magnificent photo opportunity of the stunning Otago Harbour. Stroll through 35 acres of a gardens with an Alice in Wonderland statue theme, and enjoy High Tea in the ballroom.
Visit Website.

Explore nature’s best
Explore Dunedin’s Botanic Garden, New Zealand’s oldest public gardens where the impressive mature trees and glorious blooms in were first planted in 1863. Enjoy feeding the ducks, spot the cheeky kakas and visit magnificent atriums. The lower level features an Edwardian glass house, a rose garden and Japanese garden as well as a delightful café to refuel and take in the stunning views. Several pathways lead to the upper level where there are aviaries, Australian and New Zealand gardens plus a renowned rhododendron dell. Visit website.

Tall timber and more
The Orokonui Ecosancturary is a New Zealand forest wildlife experience. New Zealand's native flora and fauna thrive in this fantastic ecosanctuary, which features an architecturally renowned, award-winning visitor centre. Orokonui is home to New Zealand’s tallest tree and offers a variety of tours that will take you through different types of native forest. Come and see some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and plants in the largest protected forest in the South Island. Visit website.

Take a ride
Take the historic Taieri Gorge Train journey, one of the world’s great train trips.
Sit back and relax as your train negotiates this exhilarating narrow river gorge and cliff hugging tunnels and viaducts soaring above the river. Take a photo on the open air platforms or wait until the train stops for a scenic photo opportunity. This is an all- weather experience not to be missed. Visit website.

Experience nature’s wonders
Experience a tour over spectacular coastline in an 8-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle with first-hand commentary on the unique habitat. View wildlife in their natural environment like rare yellow-eyed and blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals, cormorants and much more. Experience spectacular coastal views and amazing vistas of the Otago Harbour as part of a full conservation programme that is funded only by wildlife tours that use vehicles with very low emissions and footprint on the earth, less than that of a human. Visit Website.

History comes to life
Learn about the people whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion, and transport shaped New Zealand’s First Great City at the Toit? Otago Settlers Museum. First opened in 1908, collections are housed in the stunning, original Edwardian galleries and Dunedin's former New Zealand Rail Road Transport Building. Trace the lives of Dunedin’s settlers – indigenous Maori, the early Chinese, and waves of migrant groups, and their technological innovation, art, fashion, domestic life and transport. Entry is free. Visit Website.

Birds, birds, birds
Imagine a huge Royal Albatross with a three metre wing-span gliding overhead within metres of where you are standing. Enjoy the views of these majestic birds in their natural habitat from the Richdale Observatory on Taiaroa Head, the only mainland breeding colony of the Northern Royal Albatross. Tour the Albatross Centre and the historic disappearing guns. Discover Koror?, the Little Blue Penguin, the world's smallest penguin, in their natural habitat at Pilots Beach on the Otago Peninsula. At dusk, penguins come ashore and make their way to their nests where they feed their chicks or roost. Visit website.

Wildlife adventures
Take a boat ride on a classic motor vessel offering unrivalled viewing of a diverse array of wildlife around Taiaroa Head. See what cannot be seen from land, such as the Northern Royal and other Albatross species, up to 20 species of marine and ocean birds, a breeding colony of fur seals and other mammals. Visit website.

The hottest tour in town!
Visit Dunedin’s Otago Museum and enjoy a guided tour through the popular Tropical Rainforest. Encounter hundreds of beautiful butterflies as you discover the inside stories of the rainforest. Hear about the development of the Tropical Forest and uncover the secrets of its hot-weather-happy inhabitants. Visit website.

For more information on what to do in Dunedin, visit: www.dunedinnz.com