List of historic places in Dunedin


settled in Otago relatively soon after reaching New Zealand, and the Dunedin area was a major whaling centre and site of early European colonisation. The building boom from the gold rush of the 1860s, coupled with the relative stagnation of the region's population in the 20th century, has led to the preservation of many old structures and sites. Dunedin City is 255 km² in area, covering Otago Harbour, the Taieri Plains and the tussock-covered mountains near Middlemarch. Some of the historical sites listed here are therefore rural in nature.
Exceptional historical places are included in the national register in five groups: historic places, historic areas, Wāhi Tūpuna, Wāhi Tapu and Wahi Tapu areas. there are 827 listings in Otago, of which 207 are Category 1 historic places. This list covers all historical areas, places and buildings on the New Zealand Heritage List that fall entirely or in part within Dunedin City. It also covers places of local importance or historical notability. The Huriawa Pā site and Toitu Tauraka Waka are designated as a Wāhi Tapu Area and Wāhi Tūpuna, respectively.
The Dunedin City Council also maintains a Heritage Register of buildings included in the national register and those which add to the character of the city. The additions to the national register are based on an assessment of the significance of values which are outlined in the Significance Assessment Guidelines.

Areas of exceptional cultural and historical importance

PhotoNameStreetSuburb/LocalityDate of constructionComponentsType
Burlington Street Historic AreaBurlington StreetCentral city1868–1920sFirst Church, Burns Hall, Commerce Building, RSA Building, and Garrison HallHistoric Area
Dunedin Harbourside Historic AreaWharf Street and environsCentral city1863 The port and associated businesses, parkHistoric Area
Goat Island / Rakiriri Historic AreaOtago Harbour 1870s Foundations of the quarantine station, reserveHistoric Area
Huriawa PeninsulaKaritanec. 1750Te Pā a Te Wera, reserve, and archaeological sitesWāhi Tapu
Pilot Station Historic AreaPilot StreetAramoana1912–13Former Harbour Pilot's house and offices Historic Area
Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua Historic AreaOtago Harbour 1863–1924 Restored quarantine station, farm, and cemeteryHistoric Area
Toitu TaurakaRattray StreetThe ExchangeFrom Māori settlement to the start of land reclamation in 1863Landing site for travel between Otago Harbour and Central Otago, and trading site between Otakou and DunedinWāhi Tūpuna
Windle Settlement Workers' Dwellings Historic AreaRosebery and Newport StreetsBelleknowes1906–07Residential area Historic Area

Historic places and buildings

Heritage New Zealand Register, Category 1

Heritage New Zealand Register, Category 2

Other notable places of historical significance

PhotoNameStreetSuburb/LocalityDate of constructionOriginal use
Abbotsford landslipChristie, Mitchell, Edward, Gordon & Charles StreetAbbotsford1979 Residential
Careys Bay Hotel17 Macandrew RoadCareys Bay1876Hotel
Caversham Immigration BarracksElbe StreetThe Glen1873Immigrant temporary accommodation
Dunedin Chinese GardenRattray StreetQueens Gardens2006-08Gardens
Dunedin Civic CentreThe OctagonCentral cityc. 1980Council offices
Dunedin Public LibraryMoray PlaceCentral city1978–81Library
Fernhill Mine and areaSaddle Hill and Brighton1849 1969 Mine
Landing site of the John WickliffeWater StreetThe Exchange1848 Boat landing
New Zealand national anthem 109 Princes StreetCentral city1876 Theatre
Otago South African War memorialDunedin OvalKensington1906Memorial
Saint Clair BreakwaterSaint Clair BeachSaint Clair1900sSand trap
Speight's Brewery200 Rattray StreetThe Exchange1876 Brewery
Stafford House Stafford and Manse StreetsThe Exchange1928Commercial and retail premises
Victoria ChannelOtago Harbour1881 Shipping channel