Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Steps– Buy or view the Ōtepoti | Dunedin gallery
The recent heavy rain in Dunedin caused a few minor rock falls around the city. One of which exposed these steps that start at the base of the Otago Peninsula that once led up to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
The Pleasure Gardens were opened in 1862 and were hugely popular at the time, being accessed by way of a steamer that brought people across the harbour. The gardens featured private picnic areas, various flower gardens, a band rotunda, tea rooms, baths and on special occasions firework displays were held.
However, by the early 1870s the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens were a place of intoxication and prostitution which lead to their closure and the land being sold off for housing development.
Well the name given to the area explains why those wild ones in those days made it live up to that name But what a shame it was ruined for others to continue to enjoy. Nothing much has changed then has it