Dunedin
- Te Anau
291 km (182 miles)
Approximately 4 hours
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway
In the late 19th century, Dunedin acquired an impressive amount of ostentatious Victorian architecture. No expense was spared. Today you can enjoy the historic public buildings, imposing churches, palatial homes and ornate hotels. There’s even a castle. Eco-tourism is the other face of Dunedin – visit penguin, albatross and seal colonies.
Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany you to the historic mill town of Milton – the unusual kink in the main road is where two surveyors didn’t quite meet. Next is Balclutha with its distinctive arched concrete bridge and an interesting museum. After Gore you’ll travel across the river plain to Lumsden. Stop in Mandeville if you’d like to fly in a Tiger Moth, or by the Mataura River if you want to catch a trout.
Te Anau township sits on the shores of Lake Te Anau. From here, the delights of the Fiordland National Park are within easy reach. Cruise on the lakes, walk the tracks and visit the Department of Conservation wildlife centre. The Te Ana-au Caves are an excellent adventure.
Scenic Highlights
Routeburn Track
In pre-European times, Maori frequently used this route during journeys to collect pounamu (jade) from west coast rivers.
Karitane
Walk, swim, surf, fish or simply relax in this picturesque village on the coast north of Dunedin.
St Clair Beach
Only minutes from the city centre, this sweeping surf beach is a place to walk, swim, surf or dine out.
Mount Cargill
Walk to the top of Mount Cargill and enjoy spectacular views of Dunedin, the coast and the surrounding countryside.
Tunnel Beach Walkway
Explore the sea-carved sandstone cliffs, rock arches and caves at Tunnel Beach; look for fossils as you descend through the pioneers' hand-carved tunnel.
University of Otago
Of all New Zealand's cities, Dunedin has the largest concentration of grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The university's clock tower is a particularly handsome architectural landmark.
Dunedin Railway Station
Marvel at the size, architecture and rich embellishments of Dunedin Railway Station - it's the grandest 'Gingerbread House' you'll ever see.
Dunedin's inner city heritage walks
Two inner city heritage walks make it easy to explore Dunedin's outstanding collection of Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
Middlemarch
Experience the Central Otago wilderness by making the charming town of Middlemarch your local base for hiking, biking and river fishing.
Dunedin Botanic Garden
Enjoy native birdsong and hillside views as you encounter more than 6,800 plant species in Dunedin's beautiful 28 hectare botanic garden.
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
Follow the trails around beautiful Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, which has been has been named a "Garden of Regional Significance" by the New Zealand Garden Trust.
Fiordland's Marine Reserves
In parts of Fiordland National Park, natural environments are protected from the peaks of mountains to the depths of the fiords.
Lake Te Anau
An early European explorer described Fiordland as ""utterly useless except for mountaineers"", and that's why it's still so pristine.
Otago Peninsula
Put a day aside to explore Otago Peninsula, where eco-experiences range from penguin and fur seal colonies to the toe-tingling cliffs of The Chasm and Lovers Leap.
Pineapple Track
Hike along the Pineapple Track high above Dunedin and enjoy magnificent views of the city and Taieri Plains.
Activities
Dunedin - Coastal Otago
Bird Watching (5),
Heritage Attractions (14)
Fiordland
Hunting (1),
Scenic Flights (5)
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