The city of Dunedin was built with the riches of the gold rush, consequently it has one of the best collections of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the southern hemisphere. Gothic church spires, ornate mansions, swathes of native forest and magnificent views of the harbour make Dunedin very memorable. Around the city you can visit historic homes, dip into the chocolate factory and browse the excellent museums.
Take a drive along Otago Peninsula to discover Larnach Castle (spectacular views of the Otago Peninsula and Harbour can be gained from the castle, which is 10 kilometres by road from the city centre) and a choice of wildlife encounters – there are penguin, albatross and seal colonies here.
The resident student population keeps Dunedin lively.
The quiet suburban street of Baldwin Street is reputed to be the world's steepest street. It is located in the suburb of North East Valley, 3.5 kilometres northeast of Dunedin's city centre. A short straight street of some 350 metres length, Baldwin Street runs east from the valley of the Lindsay Creek up the side of Signal Hill. Its lower reaches are of only moderate steepness, and the surface is asphalt, but the upper reaches of this cul-de-sac are far steeper, and surfaced in concrete, for ease of maintenance (tar seal would literally flow down the slope on a warm day) and for safety in Dunedin's frosty winters. At its maximum, the slope of Baldwin Street is approximately 1:2.86 (19° or 35%) - that is, for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the altitude rises by 1 metre.