Did you know Dunedin Street Art was a thing?
If you’re visiting Dunedin and keen to check out some local art, the city’s street art scene is a must-see.
The city has murals and artwork all over, created by both local and international artists.
But they’re not always easy to find – some are hidden in laneways and off-the-beaten-track spots.
This guide will help you find Dunedin’s best street art, from the big, well-known murals to the smaller pieces that are easy to miss.
Whether you’re here to take photos, explore, or just see a different side of the city, this guide has everything you need to get started.
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How I Found the Dunedin Street Art
As I disembarked from my cruise ship at nearby Port Chalmers I was handed a booklet on things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand.
This was my second trip here, and I had ticked off many of the top things to do in Dunedin the first time.
As we bused into Dunedin I flicked through the booklet. I already had a list of things I thought we might do during the day, but suddenly something caught my eye.
And since I have a slight obsession, the plans very quickly changed to include some time checking out the Dunedin Street Art.
What I had seen in the booklet was mention that there was a map available from the information centre (located at The Octagon in Dunedin) showing all the street art in Dunedin.
In my excitement, I forgot about that map though, and instead googled.
I found a downloadable map of the Dunedin Street Art Trail which I used as a guide for my walk around the city.
I found quite a few other pieces of artwork that were not listed on the map, and one or two that are on the map seem to no longer be available.
Sadly I can no longer find the map online, but you can pick one up at the tourist information and read a little more about the street art here.
The Dunedin Street Art
Here is some of the Dunedin street art that I found. I will include the location and artist if I know who it is.
Ed Sheeran
This Ed Sheeran mural is by local Dunedin artist Tyler Kennedy-Stent. It was commissioned by the Dunedin City Council right before the singer came to play in the city.
There was much controversy at the time in the local art community, but now the issue is pedestrians standing in the road to take a selfie with it!
If you would like to – carefully – get that selfie, this mural is found in Bath Street, right near the Octagon.
As of 2024, there is talk that this mural has done its time and will soon be painted over, so get there soon.
While in the area look out for a huge mural of a local New Zealand lizard, the Tuatara. This was done by Belgian artist ROA, and I am not sure how I missed it as it is on the building right next door (Laneway Cafe Bar Tapas).
I think I got distracted by Ed Sheeran and I wasn’t looking for a second mural. It is also possible that it’s no longer there.
Take the Leap
The below mural is not listed on the Dunedin street art map. I found this one almost directly opposite the entrance to the First Church of Otago. It’s on the side of a building on Moray Place.
Luckily it also included a little plaque with details next to it. This is called “Take the Leap” and was painted in January 2018. It was designed and painted by Aroha Novak and Guy Howard-Smith.
Annabel
This is “Annabel” and she was the first major street art done in Dunedin.
The mural is by local artist Jon Thom and can be found on Vogel Street, not far from the intersection of Rattray Street.
Festival Wall
This is part of a whole wall decorated by a group of eight different artists, showcasing their individual styles, started as part of a festival in 2014 and finished the next year.
It is located in a carpark on the corner of Vogel and Water Streets.
Maori Waka & Steampunk Submarine
As I walked around Dunedin I saw a few murals all clearly by the same artist.
I thought it must be someone local who did these intricate paintings, but I have since discovered that this distinctive style belongs to UK street artist Phlegm.
This one is called “Maori Waka & Steampunk Submarine” and is inspired by local Otago history. It can be found on Vogel Street, on the side of Vogel Street Kitchen.
If you continue further to the back of the building you will find three more pieces of street art worth looking at.
During my visit cars were tucked into the tight corner making two of them impossible to photograph. The third is on another building.
Under the Bridge
This is another piece of street art not listed on the map. I found this one under the road bridge where Jetty Street passes over Vogel Street.
This mural takes up the whole side of a building on Jetty Street. Look for it down a narrow laneway about halfway between Vogel Street and Crawford Street.
It is by Sean Duffell, another Dunedin local.
Love is in the Air
This street art is called “Love is in the Air” and is by Natalia Rak. It’s located on the side of a building on Bond Street.
2024 update – I have heard that this mural has sadly been painted over, and now the wall is blank.
When you find the mural above, you will also see the one below if you look to the left. This one is by the Argentinian artist, Hyuro.
We’re All In This Together
As you continue on down Bond Street you will come across this building (although this photo is taken from the back).
Come down the side of the building to the back and you will find a whole alleyway filled with all the street art below.
The amazing work on this building is called “We’re All In This Together” and was done by New Zealander, Cracked Ink in late 2019.
These two are decorating a garage door in the alleyway.
Chasing Waterfalls
To the right, there is this piece called “Chasing Waterfalls” which was done by Emmanuel Jarus and Caratoes, international artists from Canada and Belgium respectively.
Then make your way to the left and you will see this mural by Deow.1
And continue on to see the below two pieces, both by Australian artist Be Free.
Riding Dreams
Another unmissable mural can be found on the corner of Princes Street and Jetty Street. The artist is Pixel Pancho from Italy and it’s called “Riding Dreams”.
When I first saw this wall I assumed it was the same artist had seen a few times (who turned out to be Phlegm) but as I read more about it afterwards, I learned it’s a project worked on by both Phlegm and Pixel Pancho who did the metallic horse above.
Now looking at this untitled mural, it’s clear that both artists were involved, Phlegm on the bottom left and Pixel Pancho on the top right.
This can be found down a laneway off of Stafford Street, not far from the intersection with Princes Street.
Geeky Gecko Laneway
The next four artworks are found in between buildings on Stafford Street, almost across the road from the above. Look for a laneway next to the Geeky Gecko hostel leading to a carpark at the back.
This one is by Danae
The below is signed by Shinx
Song Bird Pipe Organ
Here’s another of Phlegm’s street art pieces, “Song Bird Pipe Organ”.
This can be seen from the carpark behind the Geeky Gecko hostel too, or you can walk around the corner to Manse Street and it can be found on the side of a building there.
Walking down Stafford Street away from Manse Street, the next two artworks are found in a laneway on the right.
This first one is by René Brink.
I liked all the little pieces of artwork around the main painting here. These are mostly stickers and posters, and some were really clever and interesting.
On the opposite side of the alley is another piece by a local New Zealand artist, this time by Mica Still of Wellington.
A little further down Stafford Street, on the left hand side, this eagle is found on the side of a building.
It is by DAL East, a visiting painter from China, and represents the now extinct Haast Eagle that lived in New Zealand and was big enough to hunt the also extinct Moa.
Back on the other side of Stafford Street is yet another little alleyway filled with street art. The next two photos are examples of what you can find.
This first one is done by the artist Tom Tom.
This one is at the end of the alley, and is done by Snotrag, a well known Melbourne artist who visited Dunedin to add his particular style to the walls.
This was another mural that was not on the map. It’s on the side of a medical centre on the corner of Broadway and High Streets. It’s by Beth Moody.
When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Walk around to the carpark behind the same building and there is this huge mural taking up the whole area.
This one is by Bezt and is called “When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted”. Bezt is from Poland and came to Dunedin in 2015 to create this early piece.
On the opposite side of the carpark is this wall decorated by Jacob Yikes.
By walking through the car park toward Rattray Street the next three murals can be seen. This first one is by Mahalski.
This one was hard to get to as the area had temporary fencing around it. It’s on the side of the Johnnie’s Southern Kitchen building.
From what I could see from behind the fence it’s a collaboration done by a few different artists.
Chasing the Thin White Cloud
This one is the stand-out in this area though. It is done by Fintan Magee who has painted all over the world.
This one is called “Chasing the Thin White Cloud”. There is a girl on the side of the building too
This mural is signed by Stickum, which is actually a duo of artists, Guy Howard Smith and Aroha Novak.
It’s said to represent the diversity of those who settled Dunedin. This can be found on the corner of Broadway and Rattray Streets.
These birds were gracing the walls and ceiling of a small alley on Moray Place, not far from Princes Street. I didn’t see a name and this one is not included on the map, but I thought it was interesting.
Almost directly across Moray Place is another covered driveway leading to a car park. Here you will find yet another mural by Phlegm in his distinctive style.
Continuing down Moray Place, there are a few more murals to be found. Here are two of them. The first one is by Suki.
And I’m sure I don’t even need to tell you that Phlegm is behind this huge Moa since his style is so distinctive and recognisable.
Seeing his art in Dunedin has made me look at more of the things he has done. If you want to have a look too, check out his Instagram.
I’m not sure if this one is of someone called Elijah or that Elijah is the artist, but it can be found in the entrance to a car park on Stuart Street, between The Octagon and the Railway Station.
This is another example the the Dunedin street art. Many of the electrical boxes in the city are decorated with artwork too.
These ones can be found on the corner of Princes Street and Jetty Street near Pixel Pancho’s metallic horse.
I hope all these photos of the Dunedin street art encourage you to get out and have a look at some of it while you are visiting the city.
We spent about two hours walking around looking at all of these – and a few other sights along the way.
I have not included photos of every piece of art, so there are plenty more for you to discover along the way. I’m sure there will be more popping up all over the place too.
If you would like to read about more street art, take a look at these posts
Port Adelaide Street Art
Hobart Street Art
Free Things to Do in Melbourne
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