Dunedin Holiday Park & Motels is a large holiday park in St Kilda, Dunedin, right beside St Kilda Beach and about four minutes’ drive from the city centre. For school groups, its highlight is The Lodge, with 12 ensuite bedrooms sleeping up to 50, backed up by more than 60 cabins, motels and self-contained units. It makes a practical, self-catering base for school trips, sports tournaments and field trips to Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula.
Why schools choose Dunedin Holiday Park
- A lodge for the whole group: 12 bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, sleeping up to 50.
- Room to grow: more than 60 cabins, motels and units for extra students, teachers or parent helpers.
- The beach next door: St Kilda Beach is just steps away, with St Clair a short stroll along the waterfront.
- Close to the city: about four minutes’ drive to central Dunedin, with a bus stop at the gate.
- Gateway to the Otago Peninsula: albatross, penguins, seals and Larnach Castle are an easy drive away.
- Handy for sport: the park partners with the nearby Edgar Centre, a popular venue for school sports tournaments.
- Easy self-catering: communal kitchens and free BBQs, with a private kitchen and dining area for large groups at certain times of year.
School group accommodation
The Lodge
A large lodge with 12 bedrooms, each with a private ensuite, accommodating up to 50. Having everyone under one roof makes supervision simple. The Lodge is booked through reception rather than online.
Cabins
Large Standard Cabins sleep up to six, with a double bed and two sets of bunks in two sleeping areas separated by a curtain, plus a heater, toaster and kettle. TV cabins sleeping three to five and small basic cabins for two are also available. Cabin guests use the shared kitchens and bathrooms.
Motels and self-contained units
Studio, two-bedroom and three-bedroom motel units, two-bedroom self-contained units and ensuite units, sleeping from two to seven. These suit teachers and parent helpers who want their own space.
Camping
Powered and unpowered sites for campervans and tents.
In cabins, beds come with a bottom sheet, pillow and pillowcase. Bring sleeping bags or duvets, towels, and crockery and cutlery for cabins, or hire them from reception.
Facilities for school groups
- Communal kitchens with full-size ovens and stovetops, microwaves, toasters, kettles, fridges, freezers and continuous hot water.
- Private kitchen and dining area for large groups at certain times of year (ask reception).
- Three free electric BBQs overlooking the playground.
- Playground with a trampoline, swings and play equipment, plus a large jumping pillow.
- Large grassy areas for games.
- TV lounge with Sky TV, sofas, a book exchange and games.
- Guest laundry with washers, dryers and an iron.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Camp store at the gate for essentials, coffee, ice creams and fish and chips.
- Free parking, including space for buses, trailers and larger vehicles.
Self-catering
Dunedin Holiday Park is self-catering. Groups can cook in the communal kitchens, use the free BBQs, or ask about the private group kitchen and dining area. Supermarkets and takeaways are close by, and the camp store sells fish and chips.
Learning opportunities nearby
The park doesn’t run its own activity programme, but it is well placed for a Dunedin field trip.
Wildlife and the Otago Peninsula
- Royal Albatross Centre, Taiaroa Head: the only mainland royal albatross breeding colony in the world.
- Penguins: hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) and kororā (little blue penguins), with guided viewing nearby.
- Fur seals, shags and coastal birdlife along the peninsula and harbour.
- Otago Peninsula scenic drive past bays, beaches and volcanic landforms.
Museums and heritage
- Otago Museum: natural history, science and culture.
- Toitū Otago Settlers Museum: early settler history and a transport collection.
- Dunedin Railway Station: an Edwardian landmark and the base for scenic train trips through the Taieri Gorge.
- Olveston: an early 1900s historic home with original furnishings.
- University of Otago: a historic campus of Victorian Gothic and modern buildings.
Curriculum connections
A trip based at Dunedin Holiday Park fits well with education outside the classroom (EOTC) and can support learning in:
- Science: seabirds, penguins and marine mammals, coastal ecosystems and the volcanic Otago Peninsula.
- Social Sciences: Dunedin’s settler, gold rush and railway history.
- Health and Physical Education: sports tournaments, beach activities and team events.
- Key competencies: managing self and relating to others through shared lodge life and self-catering.
School group rates
Rates depend on the accommodation used, with motels and cabins priced per unit and extra charges for additional people above the base number. Group bookings have their own deposit and cancellation terms, set out in the booking confirmation. Contact reception for Lodge and group rates.
Example three-day trip
An example of how a school trip based at Dunedin Holiday Park could look (every trip is planned by the school):
- Day 1: Arrive and settle into the Lodge, beach walk at St Kilda, group dinner in the kitchen and dining area.
- Day 2: Otago Peninsula day with the Royal Albatross Centre and a penguin viewing tour, evening BBQ.
- Day 3: Otago Museum and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, then depart.
Getting there
Dunedin Holiday Park is on Victoria Road in St Kilda, beside St Kilda Beach, about four minutes’ drive from central Dunedin. A bus stop outside the gate has regular services into the city, and there is parking on site for coaches and larger vehicles.
Nearby attractions for school groups
- St Kilda and St Clair beaches: long surf beaches with a waterfront promenade.
- St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool: a heated outdoor saltwater pool nearby.
- Edgar Centre: a large indoor sports venue close to the park.
- Otago Peninsula: Royal Albatross Centre, penguin viewing and Larnach Castle.
- Otago Museum and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
- Dunedin Railway Station and Taieri Gorge train trips.
- Dunedin Ice Stadium: ice skating nearby.
Other groups and events
- Sports teams: handy for tournaments at the Edgar Centre.
- Family reunions: the Lodge and a mix of units for extended families.
- Event visitors: groups in town for events and holidays.
- Families and travellers: motels, cabins and campsites.
Good to know
- Guests aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Group bookings have their own deposit and cancellation terms.
- Pets are by prior arrangement only.
- Reception is open from 8.30am, with later closing in summer.
- Bring sleeping bags or duvets and towels for cabins, or hire them.
Frequently asked questions
How many students can Dunedin Holiday Park accommodate?
The Lodge sleeps up to 50 in 12 ensuite bedrooms, and more than 60 cabins, motels and units are available for larger groups.
Is it catered?
No. It is self-catering, with communal kitchens, free BBQs and a private group kitchen and dining area at certain times of year.
How do we book the Lodge?
The Lodge is booked through reception rather than online.
What do we need to bring?
Sleeping bags or duvets and towels for cabin beds, which come with a bottom sheet, pillow and pillowcase. Linen can also be hired.
How close is it to the city and beach?
St Kilda Beach is next door, and central Dunedin is about four minutes’ drive away, with a bus stop at the gate.
What is there to do nearby?
The Otago Peninsula’s albatross and penguins, Otago Museum, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin Railway Station, the beaches and the Edgar Centre.
Where is Dunedin Holiday Park?
It is on Victoria Road in St Kilda, Dunedin, beside St Kilda Beach.
