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Heritage Highlights Walk Dunedin: Explore the Splendid Victorian and Edwardian Architecture
5.0
12 Ratings
Dunedin
Discover the stunning Victorian and Edwardian architecture of Dunedin on a small-group walking tour. Explore the city’s picturesque streetscapes and learn about its rich heritage. Book now!
Discover the stunning Victorian and Edwardian architecture of Dunedin on a small-group walking tour. Explore the city’s picturesque streetscapes and learn about its rich heritage. Book now!
Duration:
1 hour
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Octagon - An attractive and vibrant public space, The Octagon has long been the centre of Dunedin. Walkers will learn how the space has evolved, and how Dunedin has evolved. A comprehensive introduction here outlines Dunedin’s pre-Colonial, Scots Free Church settlement and gold-rush years, and touches on challenges and opportunities the city…
- The Octagon - An attractive and vibrant public space, The Octagon has long been the centre of Dunedin. Walkers will learn how the space has evolved, and how Dunedin has evolved. A comprehensive introduction here outlines Dunedin’s pre-Colonial, Scots Free Church settlement and gold-rush years, and touches on challenges and opportunities the city faces now. Dunedin’s fortunes have always waxed and waned; we learn how this has been reflected in standout Octagon buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral and Dunedin’s Municipal Chambers.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral - Entry to this building is no longer guaranteed, but we do study the Cathedral and discuss why it occupies such a prominent site in what was a staunchly Presbyterian town. We account for the contrasting architectural styles on display, and contemplate changes made and proposed in the wake of the Cathedral’s 2020 fire.
- Dunedin Railway Station - Walkers will enter, and gain special insight into, what may well be New Zealand’s finest building. The Station opened in 1906. We place it in context, then go inside and marvel at its decor. The tour finishes here, so walkers are invited to linger and take photographs.
What's Included
- Expert guided tours
- Expert guided tours
Additional Information
Dunedin is an outstanding small city that’s ideally discovered by walking. Previously the biggest city in New Zealand, currently home to a vibrant university community, Dunedin features charming urban views and a collection of exceptional Victorian and Edwardian (plus Art Deco!) architecture. This intimate tour group provides both entertainment and…
Dunedin is an outstanding small city that’s ideally discovered by walking. Previously the biggest city in New Zealand, currently home to a vibrant university community, Dunedin features charming urban views and a collection of exceptional Victorian and Edwardian (plus Art Deco!) architecture. This intimate tour group provides both entertainment and insights - serving as an excellent primer to the city of Dunedin. Check out our testimonials!
Location
Dunedin isite Visitor Information Centre
Meet me in front of the Dunedin i-SITE Visitor Centre.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
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Reynard1
Mar 8, 2025
A great way to see and learn about Dunedin. Highly recommend. - A great morning with Athol. He met us right on the allocated time and then for around 2.5 hours he shared his knowledge of, and love for Dunedin. He was so knowledgeable and able to share many personal experiences with us. Time did not see to be an issue. There were only the two of us and in no way did we at any time feel rushed. he was very considerate of our age and made sure we had no issues. Found a great coffee shop for us to have a short break on the way around. That in itself was interesting as he was able to show us the alterations to the building while keeping the exterior in keeping with other surrounding buildings. Highly recommend for anyone exploring Dunedin as a good first stop to get oriented then having the opportunity to spend more time in areas of special interest later.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christine_g
Jan 12, 2025
Heritage Walk - Great 1 hour walking tour providing history of the buildings & settlers - easy walking should you have mobility issues - our guide Athol was friendly & knowledgeable
Review provided by Viator
Helen_s
Jan 10, 2025
Good walk - Good walk with historical buildings explained and history of Dunedin Athol was very knowledgeable ND obviously loves his town
Good overview of Dunedin
Review provided by Viator
Lisa
Nov 26, 2024
Exceptional Unmissable Dunedin walks. Discover its real heart! - We cannot rate Athol’s Heritage Walk and Vogel Street walk (we did both) highly enough!
Athol is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of this beautiful intact small city and will guide you through some usual buildings and history.
However, what makes his walks unique are that he gets to the beating heart of the place. Much of the walk was spent down secret alleys and visiting inside buildings to see unique features undiscoverable by visitors.
If you love architecture and history you will get so much from Athol’s tour. He is responsive to your questions and interests and gave us other wonderful recommendations which truly made our trip!!
If you’re a local you should definitely do it too! Be a tourist in your own city. I know you will discover secrets you didn’t know. Thanks so much Athol.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reinhard
Nov 21, 2024
Perfect city tour - You can't make a city tour any better. Perfect! Extremely informative and communicative! And most importantly: his English is very easy to understand, no slang. Responds to individual wishes. We loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cjspthesweeney
Mar 12, 2024
Walking Dunedin - The guide Athol, originally from the area, was very informative and we learned some good historical background to Dunedin. The pace was easy and 2 hours flew by.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carl_m
Feb 9, 2024
Very good tour to see the highlights of the city. - Our guide Athol Parks did a great job. He provided information that I did not know. The tour was an hour long. The city of Dunedin was hillier than I had expected. Athol made sure that we didn’t have to exert ourselves too much climbing up and down hills. This was much appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Warrnambool
Feb 3, 2024
Stellar experience - We’ve done walking tours in dozens of cities, all over the planet.
This tour was one of the best.
Dunedin is both interesting and charming.
Athol’s tour today was outstanding.
He’s erudite , and clearly deeply in love with the city.
Strongly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashworth53
Dec 17, 2022
Great Walk in Dunedin - We did the Old Town Walk with Athol and it was a great walk and we learnt so much about the history, the buildings and the key events that shaped Dunedin. If you are coming off a cruise ship it's great because the tour start right near where the bus drops you off (in front of the i-Site). We highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Insertnamehere26
Oct 4, 2022
Engaging Laneways Tour - Our small group loved our unique Laneways guided walk with Athol, in fact it was the highlight of our trip to Dunedin! You could sense Athol’s passion for his city and we enjoyed learning about Dunedin in the most engaging way possible - by chatting to a local. Our guide was very knowledgeable and well prepared with historic photographs, newspaper articles and personal anecdotes to share. Highly recommend a walking tour with Athol on your next visit to Dunedin.
Review provided by Tripadvisor