Baldwin Street
Otago
Baldwin Street, located in the North East Valley suburb of Dunedin, New Zealand, is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the steepest residential street globally. It extends approximately 350 metres eastward from Lindsay Creek valley, climbing from 30 meters to 100 meters above sea level, with an average slope exceeding 1:5. The street's lower section is asphalted, while the upper 200 meters are concreted to ensure safety during Dunedin's frosty winters. The steepest part has a gradient of about 1:2.86 (35%), making it a unique urban feature. Originally laid out without regard to the terrain by 19th-century planners, Baldwin Street was named after William Baldwin, an Otago Provincial Councillor. The street has become a popular tourist attraction, featuring in travel guides and visited by many via tourist buses. It also hosts the annual Baldwin Street Gutbuster race, a challenging event where competitors run up and down the street. Despite its fame, residents have mixed feelings due to tourist disruptions. Over the years, Baldwin Street has been the site of various vehicle stunts and record attempts, some sanctioned and others not, highlighting its allure as a place of adventure and challenge.
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Tip: The best time to visit Baldwin Street is during the warmer months to avoid icy conditions on the steep concrete upper section. Consider arriving early in the day to avoid crowds and ensure better parking availability. While the street is free to access, purchasing tickets for guided tours or tourist buses can enhance your experience. Be respectful of residents' properties and avoid blocking driveways or lying on the street for photos. The annual Baldwin Street Gutbuster event in summer offers a unique spectacle for visitors.
Interesting facts
- •Baldwin Street's steepest section has a gradient of approximately 1:2.86 (35%).
- •It was officially recognized as the world's steepest street by Guinness World Records in 1987.
- •The street features a concrete upper section to improve safety during frosty winters.
- •The annual Baldwin Street Gutbuster race has been held since 1988, attracting hundreds of competitors.
- •Baldwin Street briefly lost its title as the world's steepest street in 2019 but regained it in 2020 after a measurement appeal.
History
Baldwin Street was laid out in the mid-19th century by surveyor Charles Kettle as part of Dunedin's grid-like street plan, which did not account for the area's steep terrain.
Named after William Baldwin, a local councillor and newspaper founder, the street's extreme gradient was unintentional.
In 1987, after a campaign led by broadcaster Jim Mora, Baldwin Street was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's steepest street, surpassing previous holders in San Francisco.
Although briefly losing the title in 2019 to Wales's Ffordd Pen Llech, an appeal led to the title being restored to Baldwin Street in 2020 based on the steepness measurement along the street's central axis.
Place Guide
Lower Section
The lower part of Baldwin Street is moderately steep and surfaced with asphalt, making it accessible and safe for vehicles and pedestrians.
Upper Concrete Section
The upper 200 meters of Baldwin Street are surfaced with concrete to provide better traction and maintenance, especially important during Dunedin's frosty winters. This section includes the steepest gradient of the street.
Buchanan Street Footpath
At the top, Baldwin Street ends in a dead-end for vehicles but connects via a footpath along Buchanan Street, linking to Calder Avenue and Arnold Street, which are also steep streets nearby.
