Explore The Dunedin Filming Locations Behind Florence Pugh’s New Mini Series, East Of Eden

Aotearoa is no stranger to film crews. Generations of fans have long obsessed over the enchanting hills and magical lands across locations like Matamata, Wellington and the Putangirua Pinnacles in films like The Lord of the Rings. And, thanks to Netflix’ latest big-budget period drama, Ōtepoti Dunedin will step into the limelight. 

While the story of East of Eden (based on John Steinbeck’s masterpiece) is set in ye-olde-times California and parts of Massachusetts, the series was actually shot in Dunedin and Otago. Combining heritage architecture with lush terrain and coastal landscapes nearby, Dunedin is an excellent stand-in for turn-of-the-century Salinas Valley, as well as a pretty great place to visit.

So, whether you’re a screen geek, obsessed with anything Florence Pugh has ever touched, or captivated by the scenery, we’re here to help you pinpoint all the Dunedin locations from East of Eden (which really should be called East of Dun-Eden, tbh).

Dunedin Hinterlands And Railway Station

Dunedin’s hinterlands are a mix of lush greenery contrasted with earthy sun-baked browns and golden gorse, evoking the dramatic and sometimes romantic rural backdrops from the series.

The Dunedin Railway Station was also used as a background, so make sure to keep an eye out when you're watching the show, or even better, book a seat on the Dunedin Railways for a scenic train journey through the rugged Taieri Gorge, and make a day of it with a trip out to the Otago Peninsula.

Lower Stuart Street

When you see a busy street scene standing in for 20th-century downtown Boston, chances are it's Lower Stuart Street. Grab a coffee from one of the shops here and take a self-guided stroll down through the area to see Dunedin Courthouse, pictured above. This area is super walkable and packed with gorgeous Victorian facades, local boutiques, cosy watering holes, and Dunedin Railway Station at the end of the street, making it the perfect follow-on. 

Taste Merchants

Across from the courthouse you'll find this popular local store, which sells everything from retro vinyls and antiques to all kinds of Kiwiana. And for East of Eden, the frontage was transformed into the fictional ‘Costumers and Milliners’ store. Although the facade has returned to its normal state, it’s worth popping into Taste Merchants to hunt for vintage records and local oddities. You literally never know what you might find.

Princes Street And The Exchange

Keep carrying on through to Princes Street and The Exchange if you want to see more of the behind-the-scenes beauty. This area is pretty heritage-rich already, which is unsurprising given that Princes Street is one of the city’s oldest streets. And, when you factor in the period costumes and horse-drawn carriages, they easily pass for early-doors California.

The Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Although it’s been a fully functioning hotel for years, the building used to be the town’s old post office. So it’s rather fitting that East of Eden used a bit of clever set dressing to turn the front into a period newsstand. The Distinction Dunedin Hotel is also a really great place to stay if you need a nice, comfortable hotel that’s proudly 100% New Zealand-owned and operated.

Queens Gardens

This Victorian-era public park was used as a period-accurate backdrop for the promenade as well as general exterior scenes. While you're there, make sure to check out the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, where you can get into the old-timey spirit with exhibitions from the same late 19th-century time period as East of Eden. And after all the strolling around, cure your hunger at the old-fashioned British pub, Duke of Wellington, grab a burger nearby at Good Good or pick up a bakery haul from Big Lizard. 

Dunedin's Grand Estates

While you’re immersing yourself in this bygone era, why not delve a little deeper by exploring some of the city’s grand estates from that time? Olveston Historic Home is a time capsule that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of an affluent settler-merchant family, while the Gothic grandeur of Larnach Castle makes for an unforgettable visit.

For more of the top things to do in Ōtepoti Dunedin, check out this info hub on what to eat and see in Dunedin. And if you’re falling hard down the movie trivia rabbit hole, you can check out what else was filmed in Dunedin.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by DunedinNZ and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.