4 minute read
Otago Must Do's
MUST-SEE MUSEUM
Advertisement
© New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame
NEW ZEALAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Where our sporting history comes to life! Housed in the historic Dunedin Railway Station, it includes exhibits and displays on sporting champions who have been inducted from more than 30 sports, and their most memorable moments. Among the displays are rare Olympic medals, famous trophies and other intriguing items.
NATURE
Tunnel Beach © DunedinNZ
Aramoana Beach and The Mole
At the mouth of Otago Harbour, you can watch albatross frolicking above Taiaroa Head, take a boardwalk stroll around the tidal edge and follow a track to a giant sandhill at the northern end of the beach.
Blackhead Beach
One of Dunedin’s local beaches and a vast expanse of stone, sand, and turf, surfers will love this paradise and its several peaks with right and lefthanders.
Strath Taieri
Surrounded by rugged ranges to the north and west of Otago Harbour, you can hike, cycle and fish for trout in this glacial valley and river plateau near Dunedin.
Dunedin Botanic Gardens
This is New Zealand’s first botanic gardens and is magnificent, with mature trees, pretty flower gardens, lawns, various sections including a rhododendron dell and multiple paths leading to city views.
Kakanui Sunflowers in February
The sunflower fields in Kakanui, near Ōamaru, are ablaze with colour.
DUNEDIN’S IMPRESSIVE BUILDINGS
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin © DunedinNZ
• Dunedin Railway Station - Said to be New Zealand’s most photographed building.
• University of Otago Registry - With gothic good looks and iconic clock tower.
• The First Presbyterian Church - With an impressive 54m spire.
• Forsyth Barr Stadium - The world’s only permanently covered natural turf stadium.
• St Paul’s Cathedral - A beautiful church made of milky Ōamaru stone.
• Bank of New Zealand - A commanding presence on Princes Street.
• Municipal Chambers - Designed in 1878.
FAMILY FUN
Fossils
Ancient whale and dolphin fossils can be found at Milburn, next to the lookout over Lake Waihola.
Kātiki Point
At the southern point of Moeraki Peninsula, find the historic Kātiki Point Lighthouse, Te Raka a Hineatea pā, and yellow-eyed penguins in their natural habitat.
Ōamaru Steampunk Playground
Located at Ōamaru Harbour, with a penny-farthing swing set, giant hamster wheel and flying fox; good luck coaxing the kids away from this mashup of Victorian style and futuristic art.
Steampunk, Ōamaru © Tourism Waitaki
Ride a Penny-farthing
Hire an antique bike that made its debut in the 1870s, and check out the Ōamaru Victorian Precinct, harbour and penguin colony in style.
The Lost Gypsy Caravan
Local artist Blair Sommerville runs this off-the-wall extravaganza of curious contraptions in Papatōwai Village in The Catlins.
Beach Hopping
Explore the beauty of coastlines, rivers, and lakes, take a dip at St Kilda or St Clair Beach in the Salt Water Pools if you like your water on the warmer side.
Catalyst café, Dunedin © Dunedin
TOP SPOT
Waitaki is a gathering of geological curiosities steeped in folklore and haunting natural beauty. The elements that make the lower South Island one of the most memorable destinations for travellers are all in the Waitaki District – mountains, sparkling turquoise lakes and rivers, lush rolling farmland, unusual geological formations and native wildlife encounters. Waitaki Valley is a top destination for pinot noir, it’s also home to historic Takiroa Māori Rock Art, sheltered under a limestone bluff on SH 83.
