DUNEDIN - WILDLIFE, HERITAGE AND SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

Dunedin

The southern city of Dunedin in New Zealand is known for its fine unspoiled heritage architecture and proximity to some of the world’s rarest wildlife on the nearby Otago Peninsula. Once a gold mining boom town, the city’s riches are now of a different kind, thanks to a large population of students and academics drawn to the area by the University of Otago – New Zealand’s oldest university.

ACCESS 

Visitors flying to Dunedin land at Dunedin International Airport, 30km from the city centre. The 30 minute drive into the city can be taken by taxi, shuttle, rental car, or even a classic Jaguar.

Direct international flights to Dunedin are available from Brisbane weekly and from Melbourne and Sydney seasonally. People arriving from other international destinations can easily arrange connecting flights from New Zealand’s major international gateway cities of Auckland and Christchurch. Domestic flights to and from many New Zealand destinations are available through Air New Zealand and Jetstar.

GETTING AROUND 

Dunedin is compact and easy to explore on foot. A walk through the middle of town is one of the best ways to take in the city’s renowned architecture. The local GoBus bus service is a good alternative for travellers who want to get around more quickly and taxis are easy to find for those who want door-to-door transport to their business event or conference venue.

ACCOMMODATION 

Dunedin

Dunedin offers a wide range of quality accommodation ideal for business events and conventions, with beautiful heritage buildings and southern hospitality the common themes. Choose from boutique luxury lodges, self-serviced apartments and fully serviced hotels providing both accommodation and conference facilities on site. There are more than 2,000 rooms available in Dunedin, many within a short walk of the city centre.

VENUES 

The city’s largest conference venues are the elegant Dunedin Centre and the Edgar Centre. The Dunedin Centre is a beautiful heritage building located in the heart of the city. Its mix of grand baroque architecture and state-of-the-art facilities creates the perfect blend of old-world style and modern convenience.

With space for up to 2,300 people in theatre layout, it can cater for events of all sizes. Located minutes from the city centre, the Edgar Centre hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The multi-purpose sports and conference space can host up to 2,800 people in theatre layout.

Another great option is Forsyth Barr Stadium, it caters not only for large-scale concerts and sporting events, but also for all manner of conferences and exhibitions. The Otago Daily Times (East) Stand has capacity for up to 1,000 people banquet style or a large scale exhibition.

Dunedin

If you’re catering to a smaller crowd, Otago Museum, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery are perfect choices. Located in the heart of the city, Toitū offers sleek and stylish facilities, including the Josephine Foyer which can seat up to 300 banquet style. Otago Museum is 15 minutes’ walk from the central city and offers modern purpose-built spaces with theatre capacity for up to 220 or up to 800 for cocktail events. The attractive Dunedin Public Art Gallery offers a variety of flexible conference and event spaces including an auditorium that can cater for up to 160 people in theatre layout.

MEMORABLE INCENTIVE OPTIONS

MARVEL 

at heritage buildings in Dunedin’s central plaza area, known as the Octagon. The city is renowned for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Follow a heritage trail to see some of the finest examples.

INDULGE

your sweet tooth at Cadbury World, New Zealand’s best known chocolate factory. Take a tour to discover the secrets of the chocolate making process and to taste some of Cadbury’s delicious creations in all their chocolaty goodness.

ENCOUNTER 

amazing wildlife on the Otago Peninsula, one of the best places in the country to see dolphins, penguins, albatross and seals. Explore the area by sea on a wildlife cruise or sea-kayaking tour or alternatively journey overland by off-road 4WD.

Dunedin

EXPERIENCE 

the royal treatment at majestic Larnach Castle. The castle overlooks the city from the hilltops and is home to one of New Zealand’s most internationally renowned gardens.

Dinner in the castle’s elegant ballroom can be arranged for groups.

FIND 

inspiration and enlightenment among Dunedin’s many museums and art galleries, or visit New Zealand’s oldest university, the University of Otago.

CHALLENGE 

yourself with a half day mountain bike ride around Otago Peninsula with tour company Off Track. Visit beaches, see local wildlife and enjoy stunning scenery along the way. You’ll quickly see why it has been named one of the top ten bike rides in the world by Lonely Planet.

PRE AND POST TOURING OPTIONS 

DISCOVER 

the secrets of the huge Moeraki Boulders, sunk into the sand on Koekohe Beach. According to Maori legend, these mysterious spherical stones are the remains of calabashes, kumara and eel baskets that washed up when a legendary canoe was wrecked on a nearby shore.

RIDE 

or walk the Otago Rail Trail through historic gold mining towns and across landscapes dotted with rivers and fruit orchards. The 150km trail is one of New Zealand’s best known.

CLIMB 

aboard the Taieri Gorge train for a journey through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge. Travel across wrought iron viaducts and tunnels carved by hand more than a 100 years ago. 

Dunedin

JOURNEY 

through a landscape of rugged coastline, hidden lakes and ancient forests in the Catlins, south of Dunedin. See dolphins, sea lions and Yellow-eyed penguins or visit fascinating Curio Bay, where you can see the fossilised remains of trees that grew during the time of the dinosaurs.

UNWIND 

among the cherry blossoms and lotus flowers in the Dunedin Chinese Garden. Relax, drink tea, bring a picnic or simply soak up the tranquillity.

VISIT 

historic Oamaru to see 19th century architecture and wildlife. Take a trip out to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony to see the world’s smallest penguins in their natural environment. 

For all travel related enquires please contact the Dunedin iSITE

Visit: 20 Princes St, Dunedin Central
Postal: P O Box 5457, Dunedin
Phone: +64 3 474 3300
Fax: +64 3 474 3311
Email: visitor.centre@dcc.govt.nz 
More information about the Dunedin i-SITE

For marketing enquiries (including DunedinNZ.com) please contact Enterprise Dunedin.

Visit:48 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016
Postal: PO Box 5045, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 477 4000
Email:info@dunedinnz.com
Enterprise Dunedin's Corporate Website

If you are interested in bringing an international conference to Dunedin, please contact: 

Bree Jones
Tourism Dunedin
Business Events Tourism Development & Sales
Email: bjones@tourismdunedin.co.nz

Leonie Ashford
Tourism New Zealand Business Events Bid Manager Email: leoniea@tnz.govt.nz