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Things to Do in Dunedin New Zealand – Road Trip From Lake Ohau to Dunedin

On the second day of our contiki tour, we started our way to Dunedin and made several stops along the way. Benmore Dam was first. Apparently 25% of electricity in New Zealand is through hydro electricity.

Benmoore Dam | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Next, we stopped in Oamaru – home to the Steampunk Museum, which we didn’t end up going inside.   Instead, we went to Short Black, ordered a drink, and used their free wifi.  Priorities, right?  Shortly after, we went to Moeraki to see the Moeraki Boulders and eat the fish n chips at the restaurant there.

Moeraki Boulders | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Moeraki Boulders | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Moeraki Boulders | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Moeraki Boulders Restaurant Fish n Chips | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Once we got into Dunedin, the first place we headed was Baldwin Street.  It’s the street that holds the guinness record for the world’s steepest street and a great work out.

Baldwin Street Dunedin World's steepest street | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Baldwin Street Dunedin World's steepest street | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Baldwin Street Dunedin World's steepest street | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

We dropped our bags off at our hotel, The LivingSpace.  Each room was compact, clean, and very efficient.  I wouldn’t mind staying there again.  I was intrigued by the shoes hanging on the tree of the house next to the hotel, so I snapped a photo of it. Turns out it was formerly the house Nek Minute who was referenced several times throughout the tour.

Livingspace Hotel Dunedin | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Livingspace Hotel Dunedin | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Then we headed out to explore the city of Dunedin.  This is the Dunedin Railway Station.  It’s known to be one out of 100 buildings to photograph in the world.  I had no idea such a list existed, but I like lists and crossing things off… so here goes… 1/100!

Dunedin Railway Station | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin| A Guide to South IslandPin

We ran into these cuties along the way.

Dogs Animals in Dunedin Octagon | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

We spent the majority of our time in the main area with restaurants & shops called the Octagon.

Restaurants shops in The Octagon Dunedin | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

And ended the night with The Speight’s Brewery Heritage Tour.  Speight’s is one of the largest local breweries in New Zealand.  We got to learn about the history, how they brew the beer, and “taste” many of their popular beers.  I can be a beer snob, but I was pretty impressed by their porter. Not bad, New Zealand, not bad!

Speight's Brewery Heritage Tour Dunedin | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Speight's Brewery Heritage Tour Dunedin | Day 2 New Zealand Contiki Tour | Lake Ohau to Dunedin | A Guide to South IslandPin

Timeline of our day:

  • 11:15-12:00 PM Oamaru. Lunch at Short Black. Free wifi. Ate Tomato & Pesto Tart (7.50 NZD)
  • 12:35-1:25 PM Moeraki Boulders & Cafe. Fish n’ Chips (12 NZD)
  • 2:25-2:50 PM Baldwin Street in Dunedin
  • 3:30-5:15 PM Hung out around the Octagon
  • 6:00-7:30 PM Speight’s Brewery Heritage Tour (included in contiki tour price)
  • 7:30-9:00 Dinner at Speights Alehouse (NZ $27.00)  Good beer, but food wasn’t great.

Optional Activities for next time we’re in Dunedin:

  • Cadbury Chocolate Factory Tour – Permanently Closed (some people from our tour went to this)
  • A scenic ride on the Seasider along the Taieri Gorge Railway
  • Tunnel Beach
  • Penguin Place
  • Eat at Nando’s instead of Speight’s. It’s not local, but it’s good stuff.. and we don’t have it in the States.

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