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

PLATO

A plate of food.
Place Dunedin
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Hidden under the Otago Peninsula Road overpass you will find PLATO, an eatery that is retro both inside and out.

Heritage Coffee

A customer ordering at the counter.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

For a café experience that is local in every sense of the word.

Moiety

A chef working in the kitchen.
Place Dunedin Editor's Pick
Restaurants key icon.

Moiety wows with a tasting menu that is refined and approachable all at once.

Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co.

Seating area in Vanguard with big monstera plant.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

A fresh look and take on the independent coffee scene in Dunedin.

Similar Places

Pavement

Exterior of Pavement, Dunedin.
Place Dunedin
Fashion key icon.

Step off the street and into Pavement and, trust us, you won’t look back.

Estelle Flowers

A hand reaching for flowers.
Place Dunedin

Adding a touch of colourful botany to Moray Place, Estelle is a Parisian-style florist.

Princes St Butcher

Jars of pasta sauce and honey on display.
Place Dunedin

A complete foodie destination.

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.