Dunedin and Waitaki have been named among Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel destinations for 2027, putting one of New Zealand’s most distinctive regional pairings on the global travel map. The only New Zealand destination included in the 2027 edition, the area joins 50 destinations worldwide recognized by the travel guide for the year ahead. Lonely Planet describes Dunedin and nearby Ōamaru as among Aotearoa’s “coolest and quirkiest” corners, where Victorian heritage, creative culture, dramatic coastal landscapes and wildlife come together in unexpected ways.

The character of the region is perhaps best understood through its contrasts. In Dunedin, travelers can move from its arts, restaurant and cocktail scene into green hills, coastal bays and wildlife experiences, while Ōamaru adds its distinctive Victorian whitestone architecture, Steampunk culture and nightly little blue penguin sightings. The wider Waitaki region extends the story into lakes, rivers, open landscapes and the Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark, creating a destination that feels less like a collection of attractions and more like a place with its own unmistakable personality.

The Curated Take: Lonely Planet’s recognition is particularly fitting because Dunedin and Waitaki’s appeal is not built around a single headline attraction. It is the unusual combination of heritage, landscape, wildlife and local creativity that gives the region its identity. For travelers looking beyond New Zealand’s most familiar routes, this is a part of the South Island where the unexpected is part of the experience.