St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin (must see)
Saint Paul's Cathedral stands as a prominent landmark in the heart of Dunedin, overlooking the Octagon and symbolizing the city’s Anglican heritage. Completed in stages between 1915 and 1971, the cathedral blends elements of Neo-Gothic and Modernist architecture, creating a striking visual presence. The original design was intended to be much grander, but funding limitations resulted in a simplified construction that still manages to inspire awe through its soaring columns, intricate stonework, and commanding presence on Moray Place.
Inside, the cathedral impresses with its spacious nave, vaulted ceilings, and elegant stained-glass windows that filter light into a warm, contemplative atmosphere. The modern chancel, added in the 1970s, offers a unique contrast with its clean lines and minimalistic design, seamlessly integrated with the older stone structure. Visitors are often drawn to the cathedral's organ, one of the finest in the southern hemisphere, which is regularly featured in concerts and Sunday services.
Saint Paul’s is not just a place of worship, but also a cultural and community venue. The cathedral hosts art exhibitions, musical performances, and civic events, making it a dynamic part of Dunedin’s cultural fabric. Its central location makes Saint Paul’s easily accessible to tourists exploring the Octagon area, and it remains one of Dunedin’s most visited historic buildings.
Inside, the cathedral impresses with its spacious nave, vaulted ceilings, and elegant stained-glass windows that filter light into a warm, contemplative atmosphere. The modern chancel, added in the 1970s, offers a unique contrast with its clean lines and minimalistic design, seamlessly integrated with the older stone structure. Visitors are often drawn to the cathedral's organ, one of the finest in the southern hemisphere, which is regularly featured in concerts and Sunday services.
Saint Paul’s is not just a place of worship, but also a cultural and community venue. The cathedral hosts art exhibitions, musical performances, and civic events, making it a dynamic part of Dunedin’s cultural fabric. Its central location makes Saint Paul’s easily accessible to tourists exploring the Octagon area, and it remains one of Dunedin’s most visited historic buildings.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Dunedin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: 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.
St Paul's Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: St Paul's Cathedral
Sight Location: Dunedin, New Zealand (See walking tours in Dunedin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Dunedin, New Zealand (See walking tours in Dunedin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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’s oldest university, and its early buildings remain some of the most distinctive in the country. The story of these structures is tied to Dunedin’s 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
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’t resist. Looking around at the Scottish settlement on New Zealand’s southern coast, he quipped: “The people are Scotch. They stopped here on their way from home to heaven-thinking they had arrived.”
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
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


