Dunedin Overview
By Roz Andrews
Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island, was originally established by Scottish settlers and still has a distinctively Scottish atmosphere. In fact, Dunedin is the old name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, in the Gaelic language.
At the heart of Dunedin’s compact city center is The Octagon, an eight-sided green space. It is a good starting point for a walking tour, as three of the city’s most interesting buildings – St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Municipal Chambers and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery – can be found on its edges.
Discover how the area’s first settlers lived in the Otago Early Settlers Museum. Exhibits include photographs, household items, early vehicles and even steam engines. The Otago Museum in North Dunedin gives a broader view of the area’s history and includes insights into how the Maoris lived before the first Europeans came along.
The Dunedin Railway Station, built in the Flemish Renaissance style, includes a mosaic floor and stained glass windows decorated with railway-inspired themes. Upstairs, you can visit the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame with memorabilia of New Zealand’s sporting achievements. Leave the Railway Station on the Taieri Gorge Railway to enjoy the spectacular local scenery.
Dunedin is an ideal base for walking tours exploring the beauty of the surrounding area. A one-hour walk from the city center takes you to the interesting geological feature known as The Organ Pipes, formed from tall, volcanic basalt columns. Go!
