Dunedin Has Been Named One of Lonely Planet’s Best Places to Visit in 2027

There are places in New Zealand that need very little introduction.

Queenstown. Rotorua. Milford Sound. The Bay of Islands.

And then there is Dunedin — a city that has quietly been doing things its own way.

Now, the rest of the world is starting to take notice.

Lonely Planet has named Dunedin & Ōamaru among its Best in Travel destinations for 2027, placing the region on its global list of 50 places worth discovering. It is the only New Zealand destination included in the 2027 selection.

Lonely Planet's description is particularly fitting: “offbeat Kiwi charm.”

And perhaps that is exactly what makes Dunedin so interesting.

A different side of New Zealand

Dunedin has never tried to be Queenstown.

It doesn't have to.

Instead, the city has developed a personality that is distinctly its own — a fascinating combination of Scottish heritage, Victorian architecture, university culture, creativity, independent businesses and a remarkably wild coastline.

It is a city where historic buildings sit alongside lively student cafés and contemporary restaurants. Where a quiet university campus can lead almost directly into hills and farmland. Where, within a relatively short drive, the landscape changes from urban streets to dramatic cliffs, beaches and the open Pacific Ocean.

That contrast is one of Dunedin's greatest strengths.

It is also something that is difficult to appreciate if you simply pass through for a few hours.

Why “offbeat” suits Dunedin

The word “offbeat” can mean many things.

In Dunedin's case, it reflects a city that has retained its individuality.

There is a certain quirkiness here — from its famously steep streets to its unusual creative culture, distinctive architecture and independent spirit.

But there is also something more important: Dunedin doesn't feel manufactured for visitors.

It is a real working city, with a large student population, a strong local community and a character that has developed over generations.

For travellers increasingly looking beyond the obvious highlights, that authenticity can be a major attraction.

Rather than arriving with a checklist of famous sights, visitors can simply slow down and discover how the city works.

And that is when Dunedin tends to surprise people.

Where the city meets the wild

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Dunedin is what surrounds it.

The city is closely connected to the Otago Peninsula, one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes in the South Island.

Here, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as roads wind through rolling green hills and along Otago Harbour towards the Pacific.

The peninsula is also home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife.

Royal albatross soar above Taiaroa Head. Fur seals and sea lions can appear along the coast. Yellow-eyed penguins inhabit parts of the peninsula, while little blue penguins return from the ocean after dark.

But the important point is not simply the number of wildlife experiences.

It is the fact that wild nature is so close to the city.

Few New Zealand cities can offer that combination quite so naturally.

A destination for travellers who have already seen New Zealand's famous places

New Zealand is becoming increasingly popular with international travellers, and many first-time visitors understandably follow the country's most famous routes.

But once travellers start looking for something different, places such as Dunedin become increasingly compelling.

Dunedin offers another version of the South Island.

It is less about spectacular mountain resorts and adrenaline activities and more about character, landscape, wildlife, history and discovery.

It can be a destination in its own right rather than simply a stop between Christchurch and Queenstown.

And that is perhaps one of the most interesting things about Lonely Planet's recognition.

The 2027 list is not simply encouraging travellers to visit another famous New Zealand attraction.

It is shining a light on a region that many international visitors have previously overlooked.

Dunedin and Ōamaru: two very different personalities

Lonely Planet's choice also brings Dunedin and Ōamaru together as part of a wider journey through this corner of the South Island.

The two places are very different, but they share an unmistakable sense of individuality.

Dunedin is energetic, historic and youthful, while Ōamaru is known for its extraordinary Victorian architecture, limestone buildings and wonderfully eccentric character.

Together, they offer travellers a glimpse of a New Zealand that is perhaps less familiar — one where history, creativity, wildlife and dramatic landscapes come together without feeling overly commercialised.

It is a part of the country that rewards curiosity.

Why 2027 could be Dunedin's year

Travel trends are changing.

Many travellers are looking for experiences that feel more personal and less predictable. They want to spend longer in places, meet local people, explore beyond the main tourist routes and find destinations that still have a sense of discovery.

Dunedin fits naturally into that kind of travel.

You can spend part of the day discovering a historic city, then head towards the coast and find yourself surrounded by farmland, ocean and wildlife.

You can explore the city's architecture and culture, then watch the landscape change completely as you travel towards the Otago Peninsula.

And you can do all of this without travelling vast distances.

That combination is something Dunedin has always had.

What is new is that more travellers are beginning to recognise it.

Discover Dunedin before you leave

For visitors arriving in Dunedin, particularly those coming by cruise ship, time is often limited.

The challenge is deciding how to experience the city and the peninsula without spending the day simply moving from one attraction to another.

This is where a local perspective can make a difference.

At Fantail Tours, we believe Dunedin is best experienced as a combination of its different personalities — the city, the surrounding landscapes, the Otago Peninsula and its remarkable wildlife.

Our private and small-group tours are designed to give visitors more than a checklist of sights: a sense of the place itself.

Because perhaps that is what Lonely Planet has recognised.

Dunedin isn't necessarily the loudest or most obvious destination in New Zealand.

It is something a little different.

And in 2027, that may be exactly why the world is coming to discover it.