Roslyn is an upmarket neighborhood of Dunedin set on a crest above the city center and framed by the city’s curving green belt. Visit Roslyn to spend a day relaxing at vibrant cafés and dining at global restaurants. Delight in views of downtown Dunedin and the harbor from Roslyn’s landmark bridge. Stroll through swathes of lush parks and fuel your thirst for knowledge at museums.
Start your day with a wander along Highgate street, which is the heart of the area’s commercial and culinary activity. Here you’ll find independent retailers, such as florists and homeware goods stores, alongside real estate agents and supermarkets. Pause for brunch, coffee and cakes at cozy cafés. Restaurants and takeaway joints offer dishes inspired by the flavors of everywhere from Italy to India and Japan.
Roslyn Overbridge (aka Highgate Bridge) stands at the edge of the commercial center. Built to ease congestion at one of the city’s busiest interchanges, the bridge is also a popular viewpoint. Uninterrupted views reach over Dunedin Central and Otago Harbour. Gaze at the green hills of the Otago Peninsula and the deep-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Schedule a tour of Olveston Historic Home, the century-old former mansion of English-born merchant and philanthropist David Theomin. Decorated with antiques, artwork and furniture from around the world, the house’s 35 rooms are a time capsule into a bygone era.
Art and animal enthusiasts will love The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery. The museum’s collection features skull bones, tribal masks and textural bone sculptures, among other curiosities.
Take a deep breath of fresh air while exploring the Town Belt, a group of gardens, parks and woodland that surround the city center. Beverly-Begg Observatory, in Robin Hood Park, puts on astronomy workshops and stargazing events. Set up a picnic on lush lawns and watch local cricket and soccer matches. Golfers can challenge the 9-hole course at Belleknowes Golf Club.
Roslyn is under a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute uphill walk from Dunedin’s central plaza, The Octagon. Several public buses travel regularly to this easygoing suburb.
