niche bucketlist #12
Dunedin, New Zealand
Welcome to the niche bucketlist series, where I explore an obscure destination Iâve been obsessed with and take you along for the research. The goal here is to learn about less-known yet fascinating places around the world and plan out realistic ways to visit them.
Weâre open for submissions! If youâd like to suggest a cool destination or contribute an entry as a guest writer, send me a DM or an email!
Todayâs niche bucketlist is brought to you by Emily! For the first time ever taking the series to Oceania, letâs learn about Emilyâs favorite niche destination!
Hi! Iâm Emily, a Masterâs student born and raised in the island of Bali, Indonesia, but currently living in New Zealand. Having always dreamed of studying abroad, New Zealand was a top pick for its mesmerizing landscapes - its relative proximity to my home country also played a part. While racking my brain for a niche bucket list destination, my mind wandered for days until I realized the answer was right in front of me all along - the first overseas city I called home! Living and studying in Dunedin is one of the core chapters of my life so far.
what & where
New Zealand is divided into two islands: North and South. Dunedin is the second most populated city in the South Island after Christchurch, with a population of 132,800 as of June 2025. Itâs also considered a student city as itâs home to the regionâs university, the University of Otago (my alma mater!).
Dunedin is known for its rich Scottish heritage - its name is derived from DĂšn Ăideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, and walking around the town, youâll get to see beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Its MÄori name is Ĺtepoti and its main tribe is KÄi Tahu, the largest iwi (tribe) in the South Island.
Located right by the Otago peninsula, itâs also home to seabirds, sea lions, and penguins, a reason why itâs considered the wildlife capital of New Zealand. Below are some things that make Dunedin a spot worth visiting.
wildlife capital of new zealand
Have you ever wanted to see the worldâs smallest penguins? Tour operators like Blue Penguins Pukekura offer you the chance to see these tiny penguins (KororÄ) from up close, and you can see seals and sea lions as well!
Tours are held at dusk when the penguins return from a day at sea, heading towards their burrows. Embarking on wildlife cruises like those offered by Monarch also gives you the opportunity to get personal with the creatures that inhabit the Southern Ocean, like the royal albatross and fur seals.
worldâs steepest street
Baldwin Street, a street in the suburb of North East Valley, was crowned the steepest street in the world in 1987 by Guinness World Records. It has a gradient of 34.8% and lost its title shortly in 2019 to Walesâs Ffordd Pen Llech, gaining it back in 2020.
Although I visited once, I didnât climb all the way to the top due to my admittedly weak stamina, and you can see why it holds this title - it almost looked like a vertical wall. Youâll find a souvenir shop at the foot of the street too, and one day I hope it sells t-shirts saying âI survived Baldwin Streetâ.
victorian architecture
The Clock Tower at the University of Otago is a famous Gothic Revival landmark representing New Zealandâs first university, which was established in 1874. The Clock Tower, dating from 1878, features an early use of local basalt stone on a large scale, highlighting the value of higher leaning placed in Otago. Today, the interior has undergone many changes, and along with other buildings like the schoolâs Chemistry Building, it represents Dunedinâs period of excellence and prosperity.
Larnach Castle is another Gothic Revival masterpiece, built in 1871 by William Larnach for his first wife Eliza. Itâs New Zealandâs only castle, and is now privately owned and cared for by the Barker family who purchased it in 1967. The castle walls hold many scandalous and tragic stories, one of them being the suicide of William Larnach in 1898 due to a series of personal and financial complications. With that aside, its spectacular tower views and Garden of International Significance make it a must-visit.
how to get there & around
Dunedinâs airport put a pause on international flights during COVID-19, but these returned last year (if youâre in Gold Coast, Australia). Otherwise, youâll have to make a pit stop at one of the three main international airports in New ZealandâAuckland, Wellington, or Christchurchâbefore hopping on a domestic flight to Dunedin, which usually takes one hour. Despite being named Dunedin Airport, the airport is 30 minutes away from Dunedin itself, so youâll need to book a shuttle in advance through providers like SuperShuttle to get to the city. Taxis are also available, but these are usually more expensive.
Once youâre in Dunedin, there are multiple ways to get around, like walking, taxi/Uber, or using the bus. Orbus is the public transport system in Dunedin, and you can buy a card for $5 from bus drivers or regional council offices, with a minimum top-up fee of $5. You can also rent a car if youâre comfortable driving on the left side of the road.
Some activities outlined above, like visiting the University or Baldwin Street, can be accessed by public transport, but for other activities that take place further out of the city like seeing the worldâs smallest penguins, a taxi may be needed, depending on where youâre staying. There are plenty of accommodation options in the city, like hotels and motels: the Victoria Hotel is located right in the heart of town, and if youâre up for a thrill, stay at the reportedly haunted Leviathan Hotel built in 1884.
what else to know
If youâre a fan of beaches like I am, here are some of Dunedinâs finest: Tunnel Beach, St. Clair Beach, Tomahawk Beach, and Second Beach. If youâre lucky, you can spot sea lions around!
Have you heard of the Wellerman sea shanty? This folk song made the rounds on Tiktok in early 2021, and surprisingly, its origins can be traced back to the Weller brothers, who established a whaling station at Otago Heads near modern-day Dunedin in 1831.
Visiting Dunedin in spring or summer is recommended if youâre not good with the cold. Plus, students are mostly away for the summer, and the city is quieter and peaceful.
In the winter, you can spot the Southern Lights in Dunedin! Itâs best to visit beaches and areas away from the city where there are no lights, like Second Beach.
In case you missed the previous niche bucketlist entry, check it out below â
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fialka
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Honest question (and I don't dispute it, I just think it's one of the funniest things). How does a street get crowned the steepest street in the world, lose its title, and then gain it back? đ¤Ł
Aw Iâd love to visit Dunedin! I studied abroad in Amsterdam and one of my roommates was from Dunedin, so Iâve always thought itâd be awesome to visit her. What a cool place!