Dunedin

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Accommodation  |   Beaches and walks   |  Doctors  |   Libraries      |  Skateboard Parks   |  Swimming Pools  |   Things to do |  Mountain bike tracks

Dunedin is the second largest city in the South Island and was founded by Scottish settlers in 1848. Wrapped in history, Dunedin can give both young and old a wonderful holiday with man-made and nature's wonders to look at.

Although your children might not find Dunedin's architecture interesting, we think that the buildings will be one of the highlights for parents. Dunedin has a large number of beautifully preserved Victorian and Edwardian buildings for you to look at, including Larnach Castle, the fine Public Art Gallery, the Hocken Library, the Otago Museum and the Dunedin Railway Station.

The heart of Dunedin city is the Octagon. It's here that you will find a multitude of cafes, the Art Gallery and cinemas.

There is one particular street in Dunedin that is worth taking a look at – Baldwin Street. Get the children to walk to the top and then they can tell everyone that they climbed the world's steepest street!

Dunedin abounds in a large variety of wildlife, from fur seals, the rare Hooker's sea lion, yellow-eyed penguins and the giant Royal Albatross.  The Royal Albatross Centre is located at Taiaroa Head and is one of the very few accessible mainland places in the world where you can view these birds up close.

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Beaches and walks

The Botanical Gardens have a splendid rhododendron display that is a must-see for lovers of these plants. The children will also enjoy the gardens as there’s a playground and aviary. There are toilets located at both ends of the park, and the toilets in the upper garden have a changing table.

Bethunes Gully and Mount Cargill, a 30-minute drive from Dunedin, offers a steep, three-hour return walk up from Bethunes Gully to the top of Mount Cargill. Although this track is suitable for mountain buggies, you may prefer to stay at the playground at the beginning of Bethunes Gully rather than make the climb!

Chisholm Park, near St Kilda Beach, has an easy 45-minute return walk along the coastline. The track is suitable for mountain buggies, but smaller wheel pushchairs might be as suitable due to the gravel pathway. Also parents need to keep an eye on children around the steep cliffs at Lawyers Head.

Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens on the Otago Peninsula, set on 30 acres, offers stunning walks through native flora and fauna. 

Jubilee Park, on Maori Road, has a track around the sports ground which is suitable for pushchairs. You will also find toilets at the park.

Moeraki Boulders – Take a day trip from Dunedin to Moeraki, which will take around an hour to get to, to explore the Moeraki Boulders. These boulders are extremely large, perfectly formed spheres of rock on the beach. This is a fine-weather destination, where the children will enjoy jumping over the rocks. More details can be found here about them.

If you are looking for a great swimming hole and a place to paddle the kayak, then follow Blueskin Road to the beach at Purakaunui, which makes up part of the Port Chalmers Recreation Reserve.

Ross Creek Upper Reservoir, which is located near the Woodhaugh Gardens in the northern part of Dunedin, has some easy, gravel pathways. The tracks are suitable for pushchairs, but there are some steep areas where parents should keep an eye on young children.

Woodhaugh Gardens is a great picnic spot for families, with a toddlers’ pool, toilets and playground. You can spend the whole day here and relax with the family.

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Skateboard parks

There are four skateboarding parks in Dunedin, located at Mornington Park, Memorial Park, Fairfeild Park and Mosgiel Park.

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Mountain Biking

Signal Hill Reserve, which is past the Botanic Gardens on Signal Hill Road, has great mountain bike tracks that are suitable for all levels of bikers.

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Things to do  

Dunedin has a wide variety of activities for you to take part in while you are visiting the city. A must-do activity would have to be a tour around Cadbury World. The tour takes just over an hour, but the goodie bag at the end is worth the walk around the chocolate factory!

Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin

A visit to the Otago Museum is a must for families as it has a special section called Discovery World, which is a hands-on place for children to visit. In 2007 the museum opened up a three-storey tropical indoor forest, with live butterflies and tropical plants. You can read all about it in the following article - Tropical Forest Discovered in Otago.

Taieri Gorge Railway, Dunedin Railway Station, Anzac Ave, Dunedin. A wonderful day out for the whole family and a great way to see the Taieri Gorge! Ph: 03 477 4449 www.taieri.co.nz

Hare Hill Horse Treks, 207 Aromoana Road, Port Chalmers. Suitable for children three years old and upwards. Ph: 0800 437 837 or 03 472 8496 www.horseriding-dunedin.co.nz

Natures Wonders, Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula. Family tours, including a ride on the 8-wheel-drive Argo. Ph: 0800 246 446 or 03 478 1150 www.natureswondersmaturally.com

Westpac Trust Aquarium, Hatchery Road, Portobello

The Otago University's marine research department has a wonderful set-up for children to get to learn about marine life. There are 'touch tanks' where children can feel and see a variety of sea creatures. This is a recommended place to visit.

Hoyts Octagon Cinemas, Octagon, Dunedin 

Ph: 03 477 7019 

Web: www.hoyts.co.nz

Enjoy the latest movies with your family at Hoyts. Check daily papers or the website, or phone for what's showing and when.

Swimming pools

Dunedin has four public swimming pools:

Moana Pool is located at Littlebourne Road and has a family-friendly pool.

Port Chalmers Pool is located at Albertson Avenue, Port Chalmers. It's available over the summer period (October to April) and is heated.

St Clair Pool is located at the southern end of St Clair Beach. It's open over the summer period (October to April) and has the added charm of being a heated, outdoor salt-water pool. There is a toddler pool here for the little ones to play in and the beach is right next door.

Mosgiel Pool is located at Gordon Road, Mosgiel. It's a heated indoor pool, open during the summer months from October to April. For those parents who love to swim and have young children, this pool also has a licensed creche available.

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Accommodation

Sahara Guesthouse & Motel 

Location: 619 George Street, Dunedin

Ph: 03 477 6662

Fax: 03 479 2551

Email: info@dunedin-accommodation.co.nz

Web: http://www.dunedin-accommodation.co.nz

Select from two types of accommodation on the one website. Conveniently located close to the city centre, Otago University, the museum and numerous Dunedin attractions.

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LIBRARIES

There are many libraries throughout Dunedin and those that cater for children include: