Speights Brewery Spring, Dunedin, New Zealand

## Overview Speights Brewery Spring is a well-known natural spring located in the heart of Dunedin, New Zealand, at 200 Rattray Street in the central city. Situated on the grounds of the iconic Speight's Brewery — one of New Zealand's oldest and most celebrated breweries, founded in 1876 — this spring has long been a source of pride for Dunedin locals. The brewery itself was established in large part because of the exceptional quality of the natural spring water flowing beneath the site, which has been used in Speight's beer production for well over a century. The spring feeds a public tap that has historically been a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to fill bottles with fresh, naturally filtered water. The water has been widely regarded as clean and high-quality, and Dunedin residents have used it as a drinking water source for generations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the public tap was temporarily shut off; after restrictions eased, the water was reportedly tested before the tap was reopened for public use. Dunedin, known as the "Edinburgh of the South" due to its strong Scottish heritage, sits at the head of Otago Harbour on the South Island's southeast coast. The brewery and its spring are a significant part of the city's cultural identity, and the Speight's Brewery Heritage Centre — located adjacent to the spring — offers tours that explore the history of the brewery and the role of the spring water in its operations. ## Directions 1. **From the Dunedin city centre**, head south along the one-way system via Princes Street or Cumberland Street. 2. **Turn onto Rattray Street**, which runs east–west through the southern part of the central city. 3. The Speight's Brewery is located at **200 Rattray Street**, near the intersection of Rattray Street and Maclaggan Street. The brewery's large, heritage brick buildings are hard to miss. 4. If approaching from **Dowling Street or Maclaggan Street**, proceed to where these streets meet Rattray Street — the brewery and spring are right at this junction. 5. The public spring tap is located on the brewery grounds, accessible from the street. Look for signage near the main entrance. **GPS Coordinates:** -45.8765542, 170.5001617 The spring is in a fully urban setting with ample street parking nearby and good public transport connections from across Dunedin. ## What to Expect Speights Brewery Spring is one of the most accessible natural springs you'll encounter — there's no hiking or off-road driving required. The spring feeds a public tap on the brewery grounds in central Dunedin, and visitors can simply walk up and fill a bottle. The water has been reported to taste clean and fresh, and locals have relied on it as a drinking water source for many years. The surrounding area is the historic Speight's Brewery complex, featuring attractive heritage brick architecture dating back to the late 19th century. The Speight's Brewery Heritage Centre offers guided tours (for a fee) that include tastings and a look at how the spring water is used in the brewing process — a worthwhile addition to any visit. The spring tap has been known to close occasionally for maintenance or testing, as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're making a special trip to fill water containers, it's worth checking locally to confirm the tap is operational. The area is well-lit and located on a main street, making it accessible at most hours. Dunedin's climate is cool and temperate, so dress warmly if visiting during the winter months (June–August). The spring flows year-round regardless of season.