Explore Dunedin City: Best Walking Routes and Hidden Gems

Dunedin was our destination for a single night, and arriving here felt like a return to the city after a serene countryside escape. The city is a captivating blend of British elegance and the natural, laid-back charm of the Otago Peninsula.

Eager to make the most of our time, we headed straight to the University of Otago. The campus, open and inviting, was surprisingly quiet, likely due to it being a holiday. We hesitated to enter the teaching buildings, leaving us with a slight sense of missed opportunity.

Next, we visited the Dunedin Railway Station, a structure that defies the typical image of a train station. Operating from Monday to Friday and closed on weekends, it sits amidst railway tracks along New Zealand’s east coast. Despite the tracks, no trains were in sight, adding to the station’s enigmatic allure.

Churches are a common sight in Dunedin, and Knox Church, with its photogenic beauty, initially led us to believe it was the First Church. On a Sunday, we arrived just as a service was beginning, and the enthusiastic social workers warmly welcomed us. We almost joined the congregation, but with limited time, we decided against it.

This turned out to be a bit of a regret, as when we later visited the First Church, another service was in progress, and we could only listen to the enchanting hymns and the live performance of the pipe organ from outside.

Our third stop was the Otago Museum, a truly magical place. It not only houses exhibits of extinct species but also showcases a variety of local wildlife, including eared sea lions, pairs of wild ducks lounging on the lawn or by Lake Wakatipu, and the vibrant red-billed gulls that dot the seaside.

Finally, we stopped at the Fishwife on our way to Oamaru for some fish and chips. The meal was delightful, though we were disappointed to miss out on lobster, which is off-limits during this season. The owner sells whatever fish he catches, and the shop is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It’s best to check Google Maps before heading over to ensure it’s open.

In fact, Dunedin is home to many excellent spots for fish and chips. We sampled more than three places, and even the small takeaway restaurants were outstanding, especially their freshly made fish burgers, which I absolutely loved.