Dunedin

Dunedin exhibits many clues to its Scottish settlement. Overlooking the city's octagon, is a statue of Robert Burns, a whisky distillery provides a welcome drink and even the city's name is old Gaelic for 'Edinburgh'. The city is easy to get around and filled with interesting shops, jewellery, fashion and eateries.

The wealth of the gold rush era has left an impressive cityscape, with neo-Gothic buildings, the limestone and breccia Law Courts and grand Flemish-Renaissance style Train Station, with stained glass windows and expansive mosaic tiled floor, wrapped around the Otago Harbour. Olveston House is one of the many stately homes, providing an insight into a wealthy family's life in Dunedin during the early 1900s. Dunedin is a celebrated centre of learning and the University of Otago is renowned for education and research, but also its magnificent, 1869 architecture. Visit the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, housing both national and international works, and the Otago Museum, displaying Maori and Pacific heritage. Discover more of Dunedin's Scottish heritage at the Otago Settlers Museum, wander through the beautiful Botanic Gardens or the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. Finish the day with a tour of Speights Brewery and sample a beer or two in their boardroom.

From Dunedin Railway Station, board the Taieri Gorge Railway. The tunnels and viaducts of the rail line are a marvel from the pioneering days, travelling through ruggedly beautiful areas. The Otago Peninsula provides a home to magnificent and varied bird and marine life, best viewed from a wildlife cruise. See the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross (and visit the Royal Albatross Centre), rare penguins and sea lions. Also on the peninsula, visit the magnificent Larnach Castle, with superb gardens.

Special Events
February
Dunedin Summer Festival
Thieves Alley Market Day
Chinese New Year
March
Dunedin Fringe Festival
April
Dunedin Fashion Week
Otago Rally
June
Dunedin Midwinter Carnival
Matariki Maori New Years
July
Cadbury Chocolate Carnival
October
Dunedin Rhododendron Festival