10 of the Best Gardens in Dunedin

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This list of the best gardens in Dunedin includes the grounds of a castle, the backyard of a stately home and several large gardens where you can stroll among tall trees and colourful flowers. Whether you’re a local or planning a visit you should find some new places to seek out.

Dunedin Botanical Gardens

The Dunedin Botanical Gardens is one of the best spots in Dunedin for a relaxing walk. There are heaps of different areas to explore and some cool stuff for kids including a playground (currently being upgraded), duck pond and aviary.

It’s also in a great location, a short drive or walk from the city centre and right next to the University. Go in summer for the roses and spring for the blossoms and rhododendrons – it’s a good place to visit outside of the warmer months too, thanks to the café, indoor cactus / succulent garden and the woodland walking trails.

Woodhaugh Gardens

Woodhaugh Gardens is just around the corner from the Botanical Gardens but is a lot smaller and greener (lots of trees, not so many other plants and flowers). It’s a good place for a walk with kids as there is a playground and paddling pool. This is also a popular spot for BBQs and picnics.

Larnach Castle

The grounds of Larnach Castle are tightly guarded, so you’ll have to pay if you want to enter. The gardens are impressive, with some awesome views of Otago Harbour and plenty of places to sit and relax.

READ MORE: Dunedin Itinerary: How to Spend Three – Seven Days in Dunedin

University of Otago

If you’re in Dunedin in mid-September make sure to go blossom hunting. The University of Otago is one of the best spots in the city to see them, mostly due to the picturesque background the old buildings provide.

You can also walk by the Water of Leith and explore the rest of the grounds. There are heaps of cute little corners to sit in and if you’re there over summer it’ll be mostly free of students.

Dunedin Railway Station (Anzac Square Gardens)

The garden at the front of the Dunedin Railway Station is the perfect place to grab some rest while walking around the city centre. If you visit in the warmer months it’ll be alive with the colour of a wide range of flowers, while the trees flanking the station blossom in early spring.

Dunedin Railway Station, New Zealand

Glenfalloch Gardens

Located in Macandrew Bay on the Otago Peninsula, Glenfalloch Gardens is an iconic Dunedin venue. The café / bar / restaurant set in a peaceful garden setting and is also available to hire for weddings and other events.

The venue sits amidst an historic 30-acre garden including several tracks which lead you through the tall trees. Not many eateries have something like this on their doorstep!

Queens Garden

Sitting right in the heart of the city, Queens Garden is a popular lunch spot for Dunedin workers. It’s a convenient place for tourists too as it’s right next to the Warehouse Precinct. Grab some food (Good Good is our pick in this area) and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden

This recreation of a late Ming / early Ching Dynasty Scholar’s Garden is one of the most peaceful places in the city. Go during the week and it’ll be calm — perfect if you want to do some reading or just sit a while and enjoy the beauty. It’s free to visit during Chinese New Year celebrations but it gets crowded — a very different atmosphere!

Olveston

Olveston Historic Home is a grand old mansion gifted to the City of Dunedin after the death of the heirless owner back in 1966. You need to take a tour if you want to see inside but you can visit the garden for free. You can sit in the peaceful surrounds and admire the architecture from the outside — a great spot to bring your takeaway coffee and do some reading.

Butterfly House

This indoor space at the Otago Museum recreates a hot and humid tropical environment and is full of butterflies (and some other creatures). It’s a unique place to visit and the kids will love it — a fun rainy-day activity in Dunedin!

Other Gardens in Dunedin

I’ve got all the big ones in this list but there are other gardens in Dunedin to check out. There’s a tiny one on George Street (Archibald Baxter Peace Garden) and some of the parks have garden areas. You can also walk the suburban streets and peek into the front yards of local gardeners if there aren’t enough on this list for you!

Are you keen on exploring Dunedin? Check out our list of the 30 best things to do in Dunedin!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.