Dunedin City Guide

Whether Dunedin is your intended destination or just a brief stopover on the way to your new home, we have compiled this guide to help you get your bearings on arrival. To obtain more details about the city check out the websites listed at the end of this profile.

Population

With a population of 125,000, Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the principal city of the region of Otago.

Geography

Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest city. The city is located on the south east coast of the South Island and is the centre of and gateway to the Otago region.  It is a city nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a spectacular harbour. Dunedin's geographic boundaries extend to Lake Waihola in the south, Waikouaiti in the north, Middlemarch in the west and Taiaroa Head on Otago Peninsula in the east.

Housing

Dunedin contains one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian city in the Southern Hemisphere.  A great advantage to living in Dunedin is affordable homes, which continue to increase in value. And because suburbs are only minutes away from the City centre, you'll have more time to pack into your day

Economy

When it comes to doing business, Dunedin has the leading advantage. The City offers individuals, investors and businesses exceptional opportunities in engineering, manufacturing, information communication technology, agriculture, software development, biotechnology, forestry and other sectors of the financially rewarding and rapidly expanding area of e-business.

Dining Out

Because of Dunedin’s location, close to the sea but with a rich agricultural hinterland, there is an abundance of fresh and high quality produce, be it venison, lamb or seafood. Because of this many restaurants have won national recognition for the standard of their food.

Local Transport

Dunedin is a very accessible city, but it’s also very hilly. Convenient and affordable public bus services operate from the city to all suburbs and outlaying centres. Coach services run daily to other areas in Otago, as well as to Canterbury and Southland.

Shopping

George Street is the main shopping area in the city centre. The streets are dotted with fashion boutiques, art galleries, antique auction houses and second-hand stores but there are also many out-of-town shops and craft outlets. Dunedin is a big cocktail mix of national and chain stores, shopping malls, unique gift and souvenir stores and clothing boutiques.

Performing Arts

Dunedin is New Zealand's centre of learning, arts and culture.  It has a thriving arts community, from fine arts to performing arts to internationally recognised fashion design and contemporary jewellery design. There are numerous opportunities to visit galleries, studios, workshops and theatres to experience Dunedin’s unique culture. The city also boasts a lively theatre scene, from the Fortune Theatre, the world's southernmost professional theatre, to the Globe Theatre and Allen Hall. The Regent Theatre often stages international musicals and ballet while the Dunedin Town Hall's fabulous acoustics make symphony concerts a real treat.

Lifestyle and Outdoor Recreation

Dunedin is a sporting paradise.  Sea kayaking, jet boating, jet skiing and white-water rafting on the Taieri River are some of the water-activities available. The waves provide ideal conditions for surfing. On windy days, the harbour is colourful with yachts and windsurfers.

Otago Peninsula, is renowned for the world's only mainland albatross breeding colony at Taiaroa Head and various other ocean bird, seal and penguin species, including one of the world's rarest, the yellow eyed penguin.

Education

The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest university with over 20.000 students. Education has always enjoyed a high profile in Dunedin. The city is built around its tertiary institutions like no other in New Zealand. Dunedin has a deserved reputation for being the country’s premier centre of learning and is home to a student population of over 25,000 who give the city a special character and dynamic, vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Dunedin on the Net

Dunedin City Council
www.cityofdunedin.com

Dunedin Tourism
www.dunedinnz.com

Weather

Average maximum summer temperature Average maximum winter temperature Bright sunshine hours per year Mean annual rainfall

18.9  Degrees Celsius   9.9  Degrees Celsius 1590 809mm

Time

Dunedin time is GMT +12 Hours. From September to March one hour of daylight saving time applies.