Dunedin Botanic Garden Playground

If you’ve got a toddler in tow, this spot inside the Botanic Garden is honestly one of the better options in the city right now — it got a decent upgrade not too long ago and it shows. The slides and swings are solid for the little ones, and the shade trees actually do their job on a sunny Dunedin afternoon (both of them, ha). What makes it work is the setting — you’ve got walking paths, a bike track, and open grass all around, plus the gardens themselves if you want to stretch the outing out. It backs up close to bush and trails, so it feels less like a city playground and more like you’ve actually gone somewhere. Bring a snack and plan to stay a while.