Dunedin Attractions

Northwest of Bracken's Lookout are the Botanic Gardens (30ha), established in 1863. Old trees, both native and European, afford shade, and there is a wide range of New Zealand's flora, well tended and labeled. The gardens are at their most beautiful when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in flower (August to October).

From this viewpoint, northwest of the art gallery, there is a good view of the city center. Thomas Bracken (1843-98) was a poet and politician who wrote the New Zealand national anthem God defend New Zealand.

The Dunedin Art Gallery, a few hundred meters east of the university in Logan Park, has a rich collection of early and modern New Zealand and European art. Of particular interest are numerous works by Frances Hodgkins, brought up in Dunedin, who achieved fame in London only late in life. Her father was one of the founders of the art gallery. The work of Colin McCahon is also well represented.

The First Church (1868-73 by RA Lawson) is a neo-Gothic building with a handsome tower. The foundation stone was laid by Thomas Burns, co-founder of the town.

The Otago Settlers' Museum contains much material from the town's early days, including many portraits of the Scottish founding families, and exhibits illustrating the town's technological achievements (street lighting, trams, railroad).

The Railway station is a massive fortress-like structure which dominates the scene. In Flemish Renaissance style, it was built in 1904-6 by George Troup. Though mocked for his 'gingerbread' architecture, the architect was knighted for his work. The interior is magnificent, with colonnades, balustrades and mosaic paving.

The ANZ Bank occupies a building of 1874 designed by RA Lawson, which retains its neoclassical façade.

The Bank of New Zealand (1879-83 by William Armson) is in a richly decorated neo-Renaissance style. The banking hall has a magnificent ceiling.

On some days there is a sweet chocolate fragrance over the center of Dunedin that comes from the Cadbury chocolate factory not far north of the courthouse and railroad station.

The Civic Centre contains the public library and the visitor information center. The library has a collection of books and documents that go back to the town's early days. The archives are often used by genealogists.

The Law Courts, designed by the government architect John Campbell, were built in 1902. Over the main entrance are the royal arms.

The central feature of the city is the Octagon, an eight-sided square with a statue of Robert Burns erected in 1887. A market is held in the square on Fridays.

The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Summer Show (popularly, the A and P Show) at the end of January has a full program of events. In the middle of February there is the week-long Dunedin Festival (exhibitions, concerts, parades, sporting events).

From the Octagon, Princes Street runs south. A street with a fashionable air, it has a number of notable buildings.

The Scottish Week at the end of March maintains Scottish traditions, with bagpipes, highland dancing and sporting events.

The oldest Christian church in Dunedin is the former Congregational Church (1864 by David Ross). It was about to be demolished when it was acquired by the Seventh Day Adventists.

Wain's Hotel is a luxury hotel opened in 1878. Notable features are the grotesques on the ground-floor windows.