Otago / Southland Dunedin Public Art Gallery © Tourism Dunedin INSET: Catalyst, Dunedin © DunedinNZ
10 Gems to EXPLORE RIGHT NOW HARBOURSIDE GRILL has a stylish pair of glass dining pods suitable for two people. With table service and heat lamps, ask for G1 or G2 when booking.
FARM TOURS Kids adore this experience which involves a lot of petting time with alpacas, pigs, ducks, dogs and the world’s cutest sheep. Book with Iconic Tours Ltd.
MORNINGTON You can walk to this lively little suburb in 30 minutes from the city centre. Foodies should head to the Grid Coffee Roasters building for shops, the Good Food Co and Scoop Shop ice creamery.
UNIQUE HANGOUTS Paying homage to Dunedin’s original haunt for newspaper editors of the 1870s, The Press Club is a bespoke vintage bar. For authentic Scottish food, including haggis and oatcakes, head to Albar on Stuart St.
THE DUNEDIN PUBLIC ART GALLERY houses New Zealand’s oldest collection of public art. Everchanging contemporary art also features and entry is free. MERIDIAN MALL is a dynamic retail centre in the CBD with specialty shops and department stores. Dunedin also has an amazing kaleidoscope of small boutiques within strolling distance of the Octagon. Vintage lovers shouldn’t miss Two Squirrels and its emporium of beautiful finds.
SWEET AS HONEY TOUR Blueskin Bay is just 19km north of Dunedin and home to Blueskin Bay Honey, a company which freckles the surrounding area with beehives. Their full, two-hour ‘Be a Beekeeper’ tour departs and returns Dunedin city centre; running Wednesday to Friday and twice daily.
Natures Wonders, Dunedin © DunedinNZ
PARADISE FOR WILDLIFE
Otago Peninsula
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CHOCOLATE WALKS from well-known Dunedin tour guide, Athol Parks. The OCHO Chocolate Walk includes a tasting session at Dunedin’s craft chocolate factory, bookable Thursday to Saturday.
he spectacular Otago Peninsula is a definite highlight of the region – you don’t want to miss this, especially if you’re a wildlife and nature lover. It’s one of the few places in the country to boast such a diverse range of wildlife, from seal pups and sea lions to thriving populations of rare yellow-eyed penguins and northern royal albatrosses.
DINING ESTABLISHMENTS Standouts include the Chamber of Coffee for close-up views of the cathderal, Pot Pourri for their vegan scones and No.7 Balmac for its sheltered courtyard with outdoor fireplace. KARITĀNE This lovely outlying seaside village sits within the Dunedin boundary and is roughly 30 minutes north of the city. It’s a top holiday spot for Dunedinites, namely for its beach, coastal walks and gnarly surf. THE BLUE OYSTER PROJECT SPACE is the largest contemporary art project in Otago and Southland. It’s bright, modern and free to visit.
THE DIVERSE WILDLIFE IS ONE OF THE REGION’S BIGGEST DRAWCARDS.
T hey swoop in like giant Airbus planes and are incredible to watch. Take this unique opportunity to see the royal albatross at the only mainland breeding colony in the world on the Otago Peninsula. The observatory at the Royal Albatross Centre is the place to start exploring. Here you can watch the adult birds, with their gigantic wings, return from fishing at sea to feed their chicks. Head to the peninsula on a guided four-wheel drive or boat tour to get the best experience. Using a guide means you can avoid intruding on some of the rare creatures who live here. Look out for New Zealand fur seals and sea lions and noisy blue penguins. Investigate the yellow-eyed penguin Conservation Reserve, which has an intricate network of tunnels, hides and tracks.
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