City Walks

21/09/2023

Registered charity Aroha Kaikorai Valley is working with businesses, individuals, schools and other organizations to nurture and enhance the taonga (treasure) that is Dunedin's Kaikorai Stream. This once-pristine waterway is still the lifeblood of what is now a semi-industrial neighbourhood. Effort

12/07/2023

25/04/2023

It's fun to be working out of this cool base on Vogel Street - alongside some other lovely people. Contact me through my website if you'd like to join one of my regular tours or plan something special for your group.

Dunedin/ Otepoti is a great wee city. Walk with us to discover its streetscapes, people and history. See our Walks page for details. Our News page has insights, deals and updates - plus details about our writing & publishing ventures. Interviews and articles about our books and tours sit in our Abo

25/02/2023

Funds raised will go to the Red Cross, to support the people of Ukraine. Reserve price just $5K. Auction closes Thursday, 2 March. I suspect buyers outside of Dunedin who could not easily take delivery of this could gift it back and we could find somewhere to display it here?

Slava Ukraine (Glory to Ukraine), is a sculpture made by Dunedin artist, Lawrie Forbes. It’s a full size defensive, hedgehog, an anti-tank device. It’s made fro...

13/02/2023

Dunedin man Lawrie Forbes with his sculpture that will be auctioned in support of Ukraine.

4 HOPES A New Zealand tradesman has sculpted a 250 kg steel hedgehog anti-tank barrier out of compassion for Ukraine, a war-torn country thousands of kilometres from his home. “I feel for people and that’s what’s driven me to do this,” Lawrie Forbes says of the hauntingly beautiful sculpture...

03/02/2023

Good news, train lovers! The Dunedin City Council will be retaining the iconic Taieri Gorge train journey.

Trains have been operating on a reduced timetable in the gorge for a while now (thanks, COVID!) while options for the future of the service are considered.

Rather than close it down, we’re going to explore ways to make it even better in future. It’s a key part of our city’s tourism offering, our visitors love it and we want to make it work.

We’ll have more updates later this year, but for now the train trips will continue.

Toot, toot! 🚂🚃🚃🚃💨

02/02/2023

A little history of the building that is to be demolished in George Street. What was a more conventional-looking house was added to and completely remodelled for James and Louisa Taylor in 1928. Louis Salmond of Salmond & Vanes was the architect. A new roof and half-storey rooms were added, and the Tudor-style half-timber work was introduced. There were other additions later.

The demolition will mean that, despite being part of a Heritage Precinct, there will be only one pre-1960 building left on the east side of George Street, between Union Street and St David Street. See the ODT article (paywalled): https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/fear-new-houses-edging-out-heritage

26/12/2022

Did some serious walking this week, in Dunedin's Silverpeaks. Am back now, offering walks around town. We operate daily except Sundays, but will take another wee break 30 December - 1 January. Usual service resumes Monday, 2 January. Happy holidays!

26/11/2022

Nice plug here from partners Turboweb; thanks team.

20/11/2022

Leading some folks on our Dunedin Laneways Walk - one of several happenings during the Southern Heritage Trust's November 2022 'mini-festival'

The Donald Reid building now housing the superb Heritage Coffee cafe.

10/05/2022

Great to see ongoing development at Dunedin's former prison.

09/04/2022

Please sign this petition. It's incredible that the authorities cannot see the value in retaining and using this special, attractive and useful building on its special, existing site!

Help the Southern Heritage Trust Save the Arthur St School historic infants’ building

29/11/2021

Things to come, The Octagon.

29/11/2021

The DCC is taking no chances with this water fountain.

22/11/2021

We're back in business. Hope to see you this on a Dunedin walk!

15/11/2021

This Heritage Festival programme looks great; check it out!

The Southern Heritage Trust is very pleased to announce the launch of the Ōtepoti Dunedin Heritage Festival 2021 programme, with events happening from 19th - 21st November.

Online programme available here: www.southernheritage.org.nz/heritage-festival

The festival, "Future of the Past", showcases Dunedin’s rich heritage with special reference to the sustainable use of our precious historic buildings. The programme includes an exciting variety of talks, tours, exhibitions and open buildings.

This year’s festival has been adapted to comply with Covid Level 2 guidelines. Booking is essential for most activities and numbers are limited. Most activities are FREE / koha unless otherwise noted.

07/07/2021

City Walks is mentioned in this nice wee article about Dunedin. Cheers Hamish/ NZ Herald.

A first-timer and a former Scarfie visit Dunedin to find out what's new (and old).

18/04/2021

Australia! Welcome back. All is forgiven.

14/04/2021

Great to see the doors back open at First Church this morning. Great to see, and walk on, the new tiles too!

07/03/2021

Dunedin, and most of NZ, is back down at COVID-19 Alert Level One. Our walks can proceed - with caution.

01/03/2021

Sorry, folks, but walks are on hold until Dunedin returns to COVID-19 Alert Level One. Thank you - and take care out there.

21/02/2021

Monumental. Dunedin.

12/02/2021

Lunchtime yesterday, the Exchange.

09/02/2021

Some competition for Lime. Note the helmets. What do you think?

04/02/2021

Wingatui signal box and station.