Hard to Find Books

Monday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Tuesday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Wednesday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Thursday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Friday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Saturday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

Sunday9:30 am – 5:15 pm.

20 Dowling St, Central, Dunedin

03 471 8518

Housed in a nondescript building, Hard to Find Books is easy to miss if it weren’t for the discrete sign out front. But make no mistake, while the bookshop may be hard to find, the books certainly are not. Climb the stairs (or take the antique chair-lift) and allow yourself to breathe in the familiar smell of well-loved books, in a space where books are the only things that matter.

Specialising in rare and hard-to-find books, the shelves are stocked from floor to ceiling with titles covering every possible subject matter, from 18th century trains to Julia Child's recipes. And just in case you can’t find the particular book you were after, hidden behind the shelves the stock room holds an extra 100,000 books. The staff are eager to help, and just as happy to let you peruse at your own leisure.

Spend the afternoon (or an entire day) getting lost in the bookshop, rediscovering old favourites, new favourites and everything in between.

Words by Tahlia Vogel & Photography by Naomi Haussmann

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

20 Dowling St, Central, Dunedin

Nearby Places

Taste Nature

A full shelf of green vegetables in wooden boxes.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Well known for its commitment to organic food and sustainable living, Taste Nature is considered “the” organic shop in Dunedin by locals.

The Regent Theatre

The staircase.
Place Dunedin
Theatre and performance key icon.

Re-inspire the romantic side of your brain and pay a visit to The Regent.

Vull Design

Interior of shop with hanging lights.
Place Dunedin

Vull Design boasts a carefully and tastefully curated selection of design products for your home.

Potpourri Vegetarian Café

Stained glass window inside.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

Potpourri serves vegetarian cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Similar Places

Plume

Bags on display.
Place Dunedin
Fashion key icon.

With a reputation for good fashion, Dunedin’s Plume is one of the city’s best offerings of high-end fashion that is both utterly stylish and effortlessly cool.

Company Store

Customers being served at Company Store.
Place Dunedin
Fashion key icon.

In a light and bright upstairs space on Dunedin's George Street, Company Store takes you up and away from the flurry of everyday life.

Vull Design

Interior of shop with hanging lights.
Place Dunedin

Vull Design boasts a carefully and tastefully curated selection of design products for your home.

2gypsies

Close up of handmade soaps.
Place Dunedin

A homewares store with gifts and furniture from the Orient, 2gypsies offers art, accessories, cushions and glassware with a distinct Eastern style to the people of Port Chalmers.