Marples Building, Dunedin

The Marples Building is an architecturally and historically significant structure tied to the development of science and education in New Zealand. Completed in 1923, it was named after Professor Brian Marples, a prominent zoologist and academic whose research and teaching helped shape the university鈥檚 early reputation in the biological sciences. The building has long served as the home of the Department of Zoology, and its distinctive character continues to reflect the intellectual legacy of its namesake.

Architecturally, the Marples Building stands out with its solid brick and plaster fa莽ade, arched windows, and steep-pitched roof-features typical of early 20th-century institutional design. It contributes to the university鈥檚 collection of heritage buildings, which form one of the most cohesive and picturesque university campuses in the country. The interior includes lecture halls, labs, and offices arranged in a straightforward academic layout, though some areas have been modernized to support contemporary teaching needs.

Tourists with an interest in history, architecture, or academia often include a walk through the university precinct as part of their Dunedin itinerary, and the Marples Building is a quiet highlight along this route. While the building itself is not typically open for public tours, its exterior can be appreciated during a stroll through the campus鈥檚 tree-lined paths and alongside the nearby Leith River.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dunedin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Marples Building
Sight Location: Dunedin, New Zealand (See walking tours in Dunedin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

University of Otago Historical Buildings Walk

Walking Tours in Dunedin, New Zealand

Create Your Own Walk in Dunedin

Creating your own self-guided walk in Dunedin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

University of Otago Historical Buildings Walk

The University of Otago, founded in 1869, is New Zealand鈥檚 oldest university, and its early buildings remain some of the most distinctive in the country. The story of these structures is tied to Dunedin鈥檚 wider history. When gold was discovered in Otago in the 1860s, the city boomed into a wealthy provincial capital, eager to match the institutions of Europe. Education became a central part of... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Dunedin Introduction Walking Tour

Mark Twain had a way of dressing compliments in sarcasm, and when he visited Dunedin in 1895, he couldn鈥檛 resist. Looking around at the Scottish settlement on New Zealand鈥檚 southern coast, he quipped: 鈥淭he people are Scotch. They stopped here on their way from home to heaven-thinking they had arrived.鈥�

The city of Dunedin carries a name that reflects its Scottish roots. The word comes... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

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