Central and Inner Suburbs

Dalmore, Dunedin: Suburb Guide to Quiet Residential Living Near the City

Last updated October 2026

Dalmore is a small inner suburb of Dunedin in New Zealand’s South Island, situated on a hillside north of the city centre. It forms part of the broader Pine Hill area and offers residents a quiet, established neighbourhood with convenient access to central Dunedin and the University of Otago.

The suburb features a mix of older character homes and newer builds along streets such as Orbell Street and Fortune Street. Dalmore includes the six-hectare Dalmore Reserve, a mostly native bush area managed by the Dunedin City Council. Its location provides scenic outlooks and short commutes while maintaining a suburban atmosphere.

Official Suburb Facts

The official Dalmore boundary. Boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.
Population (2023 Census)
About 1,140, about the same as 2018
Land area
0.46 km² (46 ha)
Location
3.2 km north of central Dunedin
Council
Dunedin City Council
Local details
Getting there
Orbell Street and Fortune Street; bus services to central Dunedin and the University of Otago
Main shopping
Shops and services in neighbouring North Dunedin
Nearby landmarks
Dalmore Reserve, University of Otago campus
Boundary, area and neighbours: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. Population: Stats NZ 2023 Census usually resident population, CC BY 4.0, summed from the statistical areas inside the boundary.

Who Lives in Dalmore

About 1,140 residents in 370 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.

Homes
Owned or in a family trust
54%NZ 66%
Rented
46%NZ 34%
Standalone houses
83%NZ 79%
Townhouses, units and flats
17%NZ 21%
Damp (always or sometimes)
33%NZ 18%
Mould larger than A4
20%NZ 14%
Source: Stats NZ 2023 Census, CC BY 4.0. Figures are summed from the census areas inside the official Dalmore boundary. Percentages are of the people or homes that answered each question; a figure is left out when fewer than 100 answered.

Schools in Dalmore

There is no school inside the Dalmore boundary, but these schools have enrolment zones that cover some or all of it.

Zoned for Dalmore

P
Dunedin Rudolf Steiner SchoolYears 1 to 8 · State-integrated · co-ed
Roll 80Zone covers this suburb
P
George Street Normal SchoolYears 1 to 6 · State · co-ed
Roll 399Zone covers part of this suburb
P
Liberton Christian SchoolYears 1 to 8 · State-integrated · co-ed
Roll 140Zone covers this suburb
Show all 8 zoned schools
I
Dunedin North IntermediateYears 7 to 8 · State · co-ed
Roll 268Zone covers this suburb
C
Columba CollegeYears 1 to 13 · State-integrated · girls
Roll 607Zone covers this suburb
S
John McGlashan CollegeYears 7 to 13 · State-integrated · boys
Roll 526Zone covers this suburb
S
Logan Park High SchoolYears 9 to 13 · State · co-ed
Roll 795Zone covers this suburb
S
St Hildas CollegiateYears 7 to 13 · State-integrated · girls
Roll 464Zone covers this suburb
See school zones on the Dunedin Schools map

Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.

Bin Day in Dalmore

Collection dayMonday
Bins out
by 7am on collection day
Green bin every weekFood scraps and garden waste
Recycling, then glass and rubbishYour yellow bin goes out one week, and your blue and red bins the next. You are on the Week 2 calendar.
Bin guide and drop-off points for Dunedin

Source: Dunedin City Council collection areas. Streets near a suburb edge can differ, so check the council lookup if unsure.

Safety and Hazards

Crime at homes, streets and public places
LowerDunedin averageHigher

About the Dunedin average for the number of people who live here. Another 1 reports were at shops and businesses.

Theft 61%Burglary 35%Assault 4%

Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary).

Buses from Dalmore

5
Calton Hill to Pine Hill via South RoadAbout every 30 min
5
Pine Hill to Calton Hill via South RoadAbout hourly
5
Pine Hill to Calton Hill via Hillside RoadA few trips a day
5
Calton Hill to Pine Hill via Hillside RoadA few trips a day

6 bus stops inside the suburb.

Source: Otago Regional Council (Orbus) timetable data, CC BY 4.0. Typical weekday daytime frequency.

Weather and Rent at a Glance

Sunshine1,776 hrsa year
Summer high19°Caverage, January and February
Winter high10°Caverage, July
Typical rent$620 a weekmedian, all homes, Dunedin City

Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.

About Dalmore

Dalmore lies on a spur of the Pine Hill area, a short distance north of Dunedin’s central business district.

Dalmore lies on a spur of the Pine Hill area, a short distance north of Dunedin’s central business district. The suburb developed as an older residential pocket within the wider North Dunedin and Pine Hill zone, with housing stock that includes early 20th-century bungalows alongside later infill development.

Its elevated position offers views across the city and towards the harbour, while remaining within easy reach of the University of Otago campus and major arterial routes. The Dunedin City Council acquired Dalmore Reserve in 1990, preserving it as public open space for the community.

Residents value the neighbourhood’s quiet streets and proximity to everyday services. The area attracts a mix of families, professionals and students drawn by the balance of suburban calm and short travel times into the city centre.

Location and Access

Dalmore sits on a hillside overlooking the Northern Motorway corridor, placing it minutes from central Dunedin by car or bus.

Dalmore sits on a hillside overlooking the Northern Motorway corridor, placing it minutes from central Dunedin by car or bus. Local streets connect to the wider road network, and regular bus routes serve the suburb for commuting to the university, hospital and city amenities.

Its compact size contributes to a close-knit residential feel.

Housing in Dalmore

Properties in Dalmore range from character-filled older homes to more recent builds, with many featuring three or four bedrooms.

Properties in Dalmore range from character-filled older homes to more recent builds, with many featuring three or four bedrooms. Real-estate listings commonly describe elevated sites with city views and established gardens.

The suburb participates in Dunedin’s overall housing market, which has shown steady demand for rental properties near educational institutions. Specific sales data for individual streets such as Orbell and Fortune appear regularly on local property platforms.

Amenities and Education

Pine Hill School provides primary education for the Dalmore catchment zone.

Pine Hill School provides primary education for the Dalmore catchment zone. Logan Park High School, located in nearby North Dunedin, serves secondary students from the area.

The University of Otago campus lies a short distance south, making Dalmore convenient for students and staff. Everyday shopping and services are available in adjacent North Dunedin or a brief trip into the city centre.

Recreation and Nearby Attractions

Dalmore Reserve offers local walking opportunities within a mostly native bush setting.

Dalmore Reserve offers local walking opportunities within a mostly native bush setting. Additional parks and playgrounds are accessible in the Pine Hill and North East Valley areas.

Coastal recreation at St Clair Beach and other Otago Peninsula beaches is reachable by a short drive. Cultural venues such as the Otago Settlers Museum and the city’s café precinct lie within easy reach of the suburb.

Near Dalmore

Just outside Dalmore, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.

Places

Show 2 more places

Businesses

Explore all Dunedin businesses

Where to Learn More

Dunedin City Council: Official information on local reserves, planning and services.

Wikipedia – Suburbs of Dunedin: Overview of Dalmore within the city’s suburb list and historical context.

Pine Hill School: Details on the local primary school serving the Dalmore area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What schools serve Dalmore?
Pine Hill School provides primary education for the area. Logan Park High School in North Dunedin caters for secondary students.

Is Dalmore close to the University of Otago?
Yes, the suburb lies a short distance north of the main campus, making it popular with students and staff.

Are there parks in Dalmore?
Dalmore Reserve offers six hectares of mostly native bush for public use. Additional playgrounds exist in the nearby Pine Hill and North East Valley areas.

What public transport is available?
Bus services connect Dalmore to central Dunedin, the university and other suburbs.

What type of housing is common in Dalmore?
The suburb features a mix of older character homes and newer builds, many with three or four bedrooms.

How far is St Clair Beach from Dalmore?
St Clair and other coastal beaches are a short drive south of the suburb.

Is Dalmore considered family-friendly?
The area is described as a quiet residential neighbourhood with access to schools and green spaces.

Where can I find property information for Dalmore?
Local real-estate sites and the Dunedin City Council planning resources provide current listings and zoning details.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Explore Dunedin only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Dalmore is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.