---
author: "Robert Pearce"
authorTwitter: "@RobertWPearce"
date: "2019-01-26"
desc: "Things to do and see in the Dunedin, Oamaru & The Catlins areas."
image: "/images/florence-hill-lookout.jpg"
keywords: "dunedin, oamaru, the catlins, moeraki boulders, new zealand"
photoCredit: "emilycouldmakethat"
photoWebsite: "https://www.instagram.com/emilycouldmakethat"
title: "Dunedin, Oamaru, The Catlins"
updated: "2020-01-04T00:00:00Z"
---

Things to do and see in and around Dunedin, New Zealand.

* [Dunedin](#dunedin)
* [Greater Area](#greater-area)
* [Oamaru](#oamaru)
* [The Catlins](#the-catlins)

Or go back to the [Otago index](/new-zealand/otago/index.html) or the
[main New Zealand index](/new-zealand/index.html).

## Dunedin

### Food / Drink
* Good Good: https://www.goodgood.co.nz
* Ocho Chocolate Cafe: https://ocho.co.nz
* Kissing Gate Cafe (Middlemarch): https://goo.gl/maps/scLQVnVQ5BT2
* Emerson’s Brewery: https://emersons.co.nz
* The Corner Store Cafe: https://www.thecornerstorecafe.co.nz
* Speights Brewery: https://speights.co.nz
* New New New: https://www.newnewnew.nz
* Starfish Cafe: http://www.starfishcafe.co.nz

### Activities / Things To See
* Baldwin Street: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street
* Botanic Gardens: http://www.dunedinbotanicgarden.co.nz
* St Clair Beach: https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/st-clair-beach/
* The Octagon: http://www.dunedin.nz.com/octagon.aspx
* Street Art Trail: http://dunedinstreetart.co.nz
* Otago Settlers Museum: http://www.toituosm.com
* Otago Museum: https://otagomuseum.nz
* Otago Farmers Market: https://www.otagofarmersmarket.org.nz
* Dunedin Railway Station – Taieri Gorge: https://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz

### Otago Peninsula
* https://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz
* Lanarch Castle: https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz
* Royal Albatross Centre: https://albatross.org.nz
* Sandymount Track (via Chasm & Lovers’ Leap): https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/otago-peninsula-area/things-to-do/sandymount-track/
* Sandfly Bay: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/otago-peninsula-area/things-to-do/sandfly-bay-track/
* Boulder Beach Track
  * https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUserReviews-g255119-d301181-r426448670-Otago_Peninsula-Dunedin_Otago_Region_South_Island.html
  * https://goo.gl/maps/wm683hTYov12
  * This one is very near Sandfly Bay but is quite interesting to get to.

    First you need to find a place to leave you car; we left ours on the side of the
    road when our car couldn't make it any further down the road. Once you get on
    the road that Google Maps has told you is the right one, park anywhere on there
    (or simply go as far as you can and walk the rest).

    Next, you'll walk down the road, passing by paddocks with horses on your left
    and sheep on your right, and you'll come to what seems to be a dead end leading
    you down a ditch – this is the correct way. Given how much it has rained, it'll
    be a wet walk. Keep following the sketchy-looking ditch for a ways, and right
    when you think you want to turn back, keep going around the corner, and you'll
    see a sign and a way to hop the fence (a
    [stile](https://www.google.com/search?q=stile&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjsia7blYzgAhXBXSsKHa9LDxQQ_AUIDigB&biw=1440&bih=803))
    and begin the _real_ trek down to the beach.

    This next bit requires a little faith. Once you begin your way through the bush,
    make sure you periodically remember where the orange ribbons are or are least
    some landmarks (e.g. "we came from _this_ side of the only grove of trees in the
    area"). You'll basically follow a not-maintained-at-all track towards the ocean
    that you can hear in the distance. You'll be able to tell the track from where
    it's been beaten down; maybe do some beating of your own.

    Eventually you'll get to the beach, see some fur seals, have a nice time, and
    find your way back.

## Greater Area
* Sutton Salt Lake: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/sutton-salt-lake-scenic-reserve/
* Moeraki Boulders: https://www.moerakiboulders.com

## Oamaru
* Steampunk Museum: https://www.steampunkoamaru.co.nz
* Victorian Precinct: https://www.victorianoamaru.co.nz

## The Catlins
* Nugget Point: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/nugget-point-tokata-walks/
* Jack’s Blowhole Track: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/jacks-blowhole-track/
* Jack’s Bay: https://southlandnz.com/the-catlins/natural-attraction/jacks-bay
* Florence Hill Lookout: https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g1773668-d12286735-Reviews-Florence_Hill_Lookout-Papatowai_Otago_Region_South_Island.html
* McLean Falls: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-conservation-park/things-to-do/mclean-falls-walk/
* Lumberjack Cafe Owaka: http://www.lumberjackbarandcafe.co.nz
* Purakaunui Falls: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/purakaunui-falls-walk/
* Lake Wilkie Track (and surrounding): https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/tautuku-walks/
* Cathedral Cave (only open at certain times): https://www.cathedralcaves.co.nz
* Old Coach Road & Tahakopa Bay Loop Track: https://southlandnz.com/the-catlins/walking-tramping/old-coach-road-tahakopa-bay-loop-track
* Matai Falls / Horseshoe Falls, the Catlins: https://seethesouthisland.com/matai-falls-horseshoe-falls-catlins-new-zealand/
* Catlins River-Wisp Loop Track: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-conservation-park/things-to-do/catlins-river-wisp-loop-track/
* Owaka Walks (Barrs Falls, Pounawea Nature Walk, Pounawea Bush Walking Track, Surat Bay Wildlife Walk):
  * https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/owaka-walks/
  * http://waterfalls.co.nz/waterfalls-by-region/south-island/90-new-zealand-waterfalls/south-island/southland/219-barrs-falls
