Dunedin Railway Station
The Dunedin Railway Station, built between 1903 and 1907, is an outstanding example of Edwardian architecture and one of Dunedin’s most recognisable landmarks. Constructed during a period of significant growth in New Zealand’s rail network, it became the busiest railway station in the country following its completion.
The station was designed by architect George Troup, affectionately nicknamed ‘Gingerbread George’, in the Edwardian Baroque style. Although originally proposed in red brick, the building was ultimately constructed using Kokonga basalt, Port Chalmers basalt and Oamaru stone. The Anzac Avenue façade features imported Scottish granite, while the roof is clad in distinctive Marseilles tiles.
The interior is every bit as remarkable as the exterior. Its impressive features include stained-glass windows depicting locomotives, ornate Doulton friezes decorated with foliage and cherubs, and beautifully tiled walls. The booking hall features an extraordinary mosaic floor made up of almost 750,000 Minton tiles. In the 1960s, after the lobby had sunk, the floor was relaid as an exact replica of the original.
Perspective sketch for Dunedin Railway Station, 1900 (Ref: B-064-007. Alexander Turnbull Library, We 
Dunedin Railway Station, c.1925 (Ref: 1/1-008316-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zeal 
Interior view of the Dunedin Railway Station, showing ticket booths, 1926 (Ref: APG-0942-1/2-G. Alex Stained-glass window, Dunedin Railway Station interior, 2012. (“Dunedin Railway Station” by Ingjye H
Friday 9 October | 5.30pm for a 6pm start
Join us at the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station for an evening of quick-fire talks and fascinating stories about our city’s heritage. Come along, hear from a great line-up of local storytellers, and celebrate the people, places and stories that make Dunedin unique.
‘William Mathew Hodgkins and the 150 year development of the Otago Art Society’, Doug Hart
The Machine That Ate Time, David Green
The Waitaki Geopark, Brian Miller
McMeekings Farmstead, Dr Matt Schmidt
A New Era of Women Onboard, Rachel McGregor
A Few Things Found while Exploring, Gregor Campbell
Did You Know: Quirky unknown findings from the world of Built Heritage, Alison Breese
A Quick Tour of the 1881 Dunedin Industrial Exhibition, Jonathan Howard
Albion Place: History of a City Lane, David Murray
Surprise, Ted Daniels
The Foundations Festival, Nina Rivett
Tickets are $30 and we recommend booking ahead to avoid missing out.
References:
Findlay, M. (2018, January 8). Dunedin Railway Station: its architect and style. Built in Dunedin.
Dunedin Railway Station, Platform & Gates. (n.d.). https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/59/Listing
Wikipedia contributors 2026, Dunedin railway station, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunedin_railway_station
Image 1: Perspective sketch for Dunedin Railway Station, 1900 (Ref: B-064-007. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22332636
Image 2: Dunedin Railway Station, c.1925 (Ref: 1/1-008316-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/29941999
Image 3: Interior view of the Dunedin Railway Station, showing ticket booths, 1926 (Ref: APG-0942-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22840667
Image 4: Stained-glass window, Dunedin Railway Station interior, 2012. (“Dunedin Railway Station” by Ingjye Huang, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
We are grateful to Prue Milbank for the above article.
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