Children jumping down sand dunes at Sandfly Bay in DunedinPHOTO: Samual Mann | Creative Commons
It’s time to hit the beach! You might come across some seals and if you’ve got keen eyes you might see a majestic royal albatross/toroa. What creatures live in a salt marsh? And what’s this about a bear? We don’t have bears in New Zealand do we?
Sun, surf and sea creatures! Beautiful golden sand at a safe swimming beach, plenty to do for visitors of both the human and flippered variety!
Where in the city can you see wildlife? The Dunedin Botanic Garden of course! Spot lizards in the rock garden, visit the kākā and kea at the aviary, spy a stick insect among the flowers. Some plants have been here for over 150 years. Can you guess which ones?
Set your imagination free on this windswept rugged headland in Karitane where history runs rife. In this place a great fortress once stood, the chief Te Wera ruled, Te Puna Wai spring kept the people of the land alive and whalers hauled the great sea creatures ashore.
Looking for a natural adventure playground in the city? Come to Jubilee Park! Build a stick fort in the forest, ride the tracks on your mountain bike, or explore the rest of the Dunedin Town Belt from here.
So close to Dunedin centre yet you might be lucky enough to see New Zealand sea lions here – just remember to keep your distance. There are rockpools to explore. And what will you make with the bull kelp? Bring your creativity!
Play eye-spy on the scenic 25-minute drive from Dunedin to reach this predator-free native cloud forest, home to some of our rarest birds, reptiles and plants.
If you’ve got a head for heights and love speed, this adventure is for you! Bring a boogie board or cardboard box for the ultimate dune riding. Who will be fastest? You’ll see seabirds and jumping insects and if you’re lucky you might see sea lions and penguins. Think you can handle it all?
Get out in the open fresh air at Sinclair Wetlands. Just 50 km south of Dunedin city lies this ultimate adventure with enough space for the whole family to be as free as the wind.
Rugged and remote, the perfect location for exploring some of our unique wildlife and history. You may even get to see some royalty…
If you love insects you’re in for a treat! Just a few kilometres from Dunedin city centre are some of the tallest trees in New Zealand, native pigeons, ducks and lots and lots of insects. Oh, and there’s a playground too!
Earn a medal in your own backyard by doing one of these conservation actions at home.