Dunedin is home to rare wildlife. On the Otago Peninsula, you can spot little blue penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions. Taiaroa Head is the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world and you are able to experience them up close in their natural habitat right here.

Elm Wildlife Tours visits the far reaches of the peninsula for close encounters with the wild inhabitants. To get a different perspective, join a Monarch Wildlife Cruise for a unique view via sea.

A visit to Orokonui Eco Sanctuary, 20 kilometres north of Dunedin will be rewarded with Tuatara lizards, Otago Skinks and 17 species of native birds, including kiwi.

Rachel McGregor offers wildlife tours around the Peninsula.

Fish for the freshest blue cod with Moeraki Fishing Charters.

There is also some EXCELLENT fly fishing rivers around Dunedin - find out more here for a guided fly fishing experience.

Linking with the Mount Cargill Walking Track. The Organ Pipes Track features outstanding columnar jointed basalt created by the volcanic formation of the Otago Peninsula. These incredible geological pillars are well worth the walk up and make a fantastic picnic spot. Those that enjoy scrambling up small peaks will be rewarded by the Organ Pipes Track with spectacular panoramic views from both the top of the Organ Pipes and Butters Peak. The tops of these small peaks will bring into perspective the rapid floral transitions as the vegetation changes from Podocarp forest to Manuka and alpine scrub.

Coastal & Bush walk Options include :

Tunnel Beach, Long Beach, The Pyramids at Okia Reserve, Doctors Point (Sea caves), Murderer's Beach, Silverstream Walks, Matanaka Farm, Waikouaiti Lagoon Walk. Tavora Reserve Goodwood.

Tour some of the around thirty beaches within 30 minutes' drive of Dunedin. Whether you like them sandy, rocky, ocean-facing or sheltered, there’s a bay, or three, or four for you to visit…

Tunnel Beach

This breath-taking spot is in the top 15 of places people want to visit when they come to Aotearoa . You’ll encounter views as grand as those on the Great Ocean Road in Australia or California’s Pacific Coast Highway. You could go there via St Clair Esplanade and stop for a coffee and cake, and afterwards continue along the coast southward to Brighton where ice-creams and excellent fish and chips await.

Other Highlights include: Doctors Point, Long Beach, St Clair & Brighton, Murderers Bay, Matanaka Farm, Moeraki Boulders.

Just like Bali, when you combine the north and south coast opportunities, there is rarely a Dunedin day when there is no surf. Geographically, Dunedin is wide open to swells from the south west to the north east, ranging consistently from 1-3m, but 4-6m plus waves are a regular occurrence in the winter months

We are happy to arrange surf lessons as part of your itinery with Esplanade Surf School.

Surf Breaks:

Karitane, Karitane Estuary, St Clair, Whareakeake, Tunnel Beach, Blackhead.

The clear skies of winter are the perfect time to take in epic views of the Milky Way. The Beverly Begg Observatory is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday night throughout winter and offers 'Spaced Out' star tours - a close-up glimpse of the heavens with the expert guidance of the Dunedin Astronomical Society. There are also local tour operators that offer guided night sky experiences with a Māori cultural perspective, such as Horizon Tours.

Dunedin is a UNESCO designated City of Literature, a magnificent example of a small city that lives, breathes and connects through its people, its culture and its intense love of literature. It is well known as a university town of excellence in research and learning, and a city where writers, books and literature thrive.

The town's central Octagon proudly displays a statue of Robert Burns and has its own Writers’ Walk - a series of plaques featuring entertaining and informative quotes about Dunedin and its heritage. Or book in a guided literary walking tour.

Bibliophiles should visit the rare manuscript collections at the Reed and de Beer Galleries, or head to Dutybound Book Bindery to see old binding techniques in action. For some serious browsing, swing by Hard to Find Bookshop, Stafford 6 Books or the University Book Shop.

Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere with gorgeous heritage buildings everywhere you look. Nowadays, these are filled with quirky cafes, boutiques and other attractions that will fill days of exploration.

Spend a few hours admiring the valuable collections at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery or many independent galleries where local artwork is on sale. Visit the exquisitely preserved Olveston Historic Home for a peek at the home-life of a Dunedin family during Edwardian times. Or visit the Dunedin Botanic Gardens to explore the Edwardian Winter Garden or the glorious Rhondendron Dell.

Dunedin has a rich history in the arts and in making art freely available for all to enjoy. It is unsurprising, then, that the city is now embracing street art, with an increasing number of blank walls being transformed into works of art by local and international artists. Experience these vibrant, whimsical artworks by following the self-guided Dunedin street art trail.

Currently there are over 50 walls across the city, mostly concentrated around the Warehouse Precinct and CBD with plenty of cafes along the way for tasty pit stops. The most comprehensive guide is the Street Art Cities map

Some of our Favourites include: Titi , Moeity, No 7 Balmac, ADJO. Plato, Good Good, Precinct, Side On, The Press Club, Comes First Chicken Dinner, Esplanade, Steamer Basin, Heritage Coffee, Union Co, Arc Brewing Co.

Craft Breweries and Distilleries to visit:

Arc Brewing Co. is our local ; Dunedin Craft Distilleries offer tours & tasings; Steamer Basin brewery and tap room. Also Emersons Dunedin Brewery that offer a behind the scenes tour

A Saturday Morning Farmers Market Experience or the monthly Waitati Market are not to be missed.

Dunedin is such a compact city that getting around by bike is a breeze. Add to this a slew of cycle lanes being introduced around the city and it makes travel by bike very enjoyable.

The Harbour Cycleway is Dunedin’s newest cycle trail. Cycle The Loop around the Otago Harbour and visit some of the best things to do in Dunedin, along the way. What a way to spend a couple of hours, or the whole day!

When combined with a short 10-minute ferry ride, the route makes a great 54km loop ride. It also takes in stunning beaches and opportunities to encounter some of Dunedin’s unique wildlife

Hire a bike from local businesses or bring your own.

Take some time to explore local harbourside attractions. Catch the Port To Port ferry across the harbour and link up with some of the best attractions in Dunedin, all by the waterfront! This is a fantastic

Find iconic Dunedin wildlife on a ferry/boat tour, play the Harbour Golf Challenge, visit the Albatross Centre, or Eco Santuary, explore museums, eat at some of the best cafés and restaurants in Dunedin, visit gift shops or take a picnic to enjoy.

If you're looking for a range of exciting and outdoor activities, Cycling The Loop, Otago Harbour is one of the best things to do in Dunedin!

See the map for the top locations to visit.

Although 54 kilometres in total length, the route can be shortened to suit everyone.

Allow a minimum of 2 hours to 'cycle the loop' (Portobello to Port Chalmers, including a 10-minute ferry crossing). Allow more time to do the activities or stop for photos or food along the way.

Other Otago Trails:

Alps to Ocean

Clutha Gold Trail

Central Otago Rail Trail

Roxburgh Gorge Trail

Matangi Station MTB

Signal Hill MTB

Fore more ideas on cycle itineries click here

Otago is a cycling Mecca waiting to be discovered.