The eight-sided city centre is not Dunedin’s most famous route - that honour falls to what is officially the world’s steepest street. North East Valley’s Baldwin Street was first recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 1987, before losing the title in 2019 to a Welsh pretender. That decision was reversed due to an appeal in 2020.

When it’s time for a green fix, the Dunedin Botanic Garden will tick all the boxes. New Zealand’s first botanic garden, it opened in 1863, and is now a six star Garden of International Significance. Across the more than 30 hectares you’ll find an impressive rose garden, New Zealand native plants, and superb plant collections from around the world.

One of only three authentic Chinese Gardens outside of China, Lan Yuan commemorates the place of Chinese people in Dunedin. Opened in 2008, it was attracting over 30,000 people annually just a few years later. As well as being a lovely place to visit, the Garden is also a popular venue for weddings and functions.

With a captivating history stretching back to 1871, New Zealand’s only castle boasts a commanding position atop the Otago Peninsula. Left to ruin, it was rescued by the Barker family in the late 1960s, and they’ve spent decades carefully restoring the Gothic Revivalist castle and surrounding buildings. Surrounded by a Garden of International Significance, it’s a must visit.

A microcosm of everything good about Dunedin - green space, art, history, and hospitality. The upper Octagon is the superb Dunedin Public Art Gallery, the Robbie Burns statue, a Dunedin Writers Walk, and plaques for local Olympic medallists. The lower side has the Regent Theatre, and an array of al fresco eating establishments.

Another jewel in Dunedin’s built heritage crown, Olveston was the home of businessman and philanthropist David Theomin and his family. His daughter Dorothy gifted the house and it’s stunning array of contents to the City of Dunedin upon her death in 1966. Nestled on the fringes of Dunedin’s Town Belt, Olveston has served as a lens into the city’s Edwardian era since.

Since 2007 Orokonui has been a flagship biodiversity project in the South Island. Surrounded by a predator fence, the 307 hectares of forest provides sanctuary to multiple species of plants and animals, including many native birds, bats, and tuatara. With various walks and tours on offer, as well as the visitor centre and Horopito Cafe, Orokonui offers a good day out.

While up to 100 trains a day steamed through at its peak, the Dunedin Railway Station is a quieter place now. Designed by George Troup, the 1906 Renaissance Revivalist building is the most photographed in New Zealand, and Dunedin Railways’ world-class train trips still depart from there.

At the tip of the Otago Peninsula, Taiaroa Head was the site of a Māori pā established around 1650. During the Russian Scare of the 1880s defences were built there, including an Armstrong disappearing gun that’s still place. Taiaroa Head is also home to the Royal Albatross Centre - home to the only mainland albatross colony in the Southern Hemisphere.

Founded in 1871, the University of Otago is the oldest in New Zealand. Having moved to its North Dunedin location in 1879 after a few years in the Exchange, the University has been expanding since. It’s both the centre of learning and a hub for the 20,000 strong student population, who add a certain vibrancy to the city.