e w o rl d h t d in un
an O A R DA EA T ZE O A
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Far-flung travel plans are fun, but you don’t always need a runway to see the world.
ABOVE: Larnach Castle © DunedinNZ
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A wee slice of Scotland:
Tropical Tahiti:
Dunedin
Kai Iwi Lakes
Castles, brooding skies and windswept beaches; turn your ear and you might just hear a bagpipe. Aye, (that’s Scottish for yes) Dunedin emanates Scotland in both name and nature. Dùn Èideann is the Gaelic word for Edinburgh and the streets – lined with Victorian and Edwardian buildings – are not dissimilar. Just like its Scottish brethren, Dunedin has its own castle, too. Nearby Larnach Castle boasts manicured gardens and a regal interior, while cosy Scottish pubs such as Albar serve whisky, haggis and oatcakes. Sounds good, aye? (that’s Kiwi for yes).
When people holiday in Tahiti, their social media accounts are plastered with photos to make us green with envy. They must be newlyweds we say, or recently won Lotto. Well, you don’t need to be rich or hitched to slather yourself over a slice of Aotearoa paradise. In Northland, you’ll find the Kai Iwi Lakes in Taharoa Domain glistening in hues usually associated with exotic islands, with ice-white sands slipping into a big bath of blue. Pitch a tent at either Pine Beach or Promenade Point campground and pull a few pre-made mojitos out of your chilly bin. Tahiti/Taharoa: the only difference is the price tag.
