What are the best things to do in Dunedin with children?
Ignition Children’s Book Festival
If you plan to book flights from Queenstown to Dunedin as a family in spring, your visit may coincide with the Ignition Kids Festival. The day event is a fantastic opportunity for enthusiastic young readers to take part in workshops and art classes, meet their favourite authors, and much more.
Te Moana Glow Show
Taking place at the Regent Theatre, the Te Moana Glow Show is an innovative, life-sized glow-in-the-dark puppet show that’s a must-see for families. The show is held in November and tells the story of the courageous Kina on her journey across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa. Last year, the show attracted more than 25,000 people, so it’s definitely a firm favourite with locals. To be sure you get a seat, book in advance once you’ve secured your tickets to Dunedin from Queenstown.
Penguin Place
With Queenstown to Dunedin return flights, you can take the family to the region’s well-known Penguin Place. The private conservation reserve is around 30 kilometres from the city centre, which should take you around 45 minutes to an hour by car, or 90 minutes if you take the number 15 and 18 buses. The reserve was set up to help the endangered yellow-eyed penguin survive, and is a great opportunity to teach your children about conservation while having a fun day out. When you’re there, you might get the chance to see fur seals and blue penguins in their natural habitat too. The reserve is also close to the Royal Albatross Centre, which is another great place to see more of Otago’s unique wildlife.
Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary
This fantastic predator-free sanctuary is home to some of the smallest and cutest wildlife in New Zealand. Kiwis, forest birds and tiny reptiles roam around the sanctuary. It’s located about 20 kilometres outside of the city and is another great place worth adding to your itinerary once you book cheap flights to Dunedin from Queenstown.
What are the best day trips from Dunedin?
The Royal Albatross Centre
The Royal Albatross Centre is situated at Taiaroa Head and is the only mainland albatross colony in the Southern Hemisphere. The centre is located around an hours' drive outside of Dunedin, and is home to approximately 140 royal albatross. If you’ve never seen an albatross before, you’ll be amazed by their size. With wingspans of close to three metres, they can fly at speeds of more than 100 kilometres an hour. With flights from Queenstown to Dunedin, you’ll be able to witness the majestic birds in their natural habitat.
St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool
Fancy a day lazing by the pool? Be sure to visit the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool when your Queenstown to Dunedin flights bring you to the city. The pool is on the beachfront of St Clair Beach and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It’s heated to 28℃ and there’s a separate pool for toddlers. It’s open between 9am to 5pm daily from October to March. Once you’ve spent some time having a relaxing swim, you can head down to St Kilda and St Clair beaches. It’s a great place for surfing and has lots of families and couples visiting during the warmer months. It’s also only a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre.
What are the best museums in Dunedin?
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
If you’ve booked cheap flights to Dunedin from Queenstown and want to keep to a budget, the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is free to visit. It’s also one of the most interesting museums in Dunedin, covering the city’s early, predominantly Scottish, settler heritage.
Otago Museum
The Otago Museum has something for history buffs, art enthusiasts and children alike. Whether you’re taking the kids to the science discovery centre, visiting the mesmerising tropical butterfly house, or exploring the incredible history of early Māori in Tāngata, the museum has something to enthral just about everyone. The museum is located in the centre of Dunedin too, giving you all the more reason to visit when you book Queenstown to Dunedin flights.
Fort Taiaroa
If you’re venturing out of the city to the fantastic Royal Albatross colony, you may be surprised to learn that underneath you lies a secret hidden fort. The fort is home to a restored 1886 Armstrong Disappearing gun, which was used to protect the city more than 130 years ago. Whether you’re venturing down one of the underground tunnels or immersing yourself in the area’s fascinating military history, the fort is well worth a visit when you book your Queenstown to Dunedin flights.
