Dunedin, on the rugged east coast of NewZealand’s South Island, is a city of style and creativity. Officially founded in 1848 by the Free Church of Scotland, it's home to twenty-five thousand students at the University ofOtago, who mingle with the town’s landed gentry to create an eclectic destination that enthrals all who pass through. Surrounded by a deep blue harbour on one side and rolling misty hills on the other, Dunedin’s lush green dales and old world architecture pay tribute to the city’s Scottish heritage.
Brewery Tours Galore
When visiting a new city, there’s no better way to get to know it than by sampling some of the local beer. And with two of New Zealand’s most famous breweries located in Dunedin, you’ll be well catered for.
No visitor to Dunedin should leave without taking the Speight’s Brewery tour. Since 1876, the legendary Speight’s Brewery has been producing ales of the finest quality, and still operates from the same site where it all began on Rattray St. The Speight’s Brewery Tour is an award-winning interactive experience, featuring an informative guided tour through the working brewery. This is a tour for the history and beer buffs alike. On the tour you’ll see, smell, touch and taste all the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beer – and you’ll get to sample your fair share along the way.
If you’re still keen to wet your whistle, then head for the less historic, but equally fantastic, Emerson’s Brewery. Here you can receive further liquid education and see the brewery’s state-of-the-art workshop in action. And, surprise, surprise – you can also sample more beer. What’s not to love?
Go Wild
Dunedin is home to some wonderful and rare wildlife. On the Otago Peninsula, you can spot little penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions, all of which visit the Taiaroa Head area. The region also welcomes the northern royal albatross, which can be seen by taking a guided tour at the Royal Albatross Centre. At dusk you can spot even more wildlife and watch the little penguins returning from a day at sea at the adjacent Blue Penguins Pukekura.
Explore the Hinterland
Dunedin’s coastal location means that its surrounding area is also home to some stunning seaside towns, rural villages and harbourside hamlets. There are plenty to choose from within Dunedin’s city limits, so you’ll find somewhere to explore, no matter what you’re after.
Karitane and Waikoutai to the north, and Brighton to the south, all offer beautiful beach walks and cute cafes and bakeries where you can warm yourself after a stroll. Outram and Middlemarch to the west meet the rugged hills of Maungatua and the Rock and Pillar Range. Port Chalmers and Macandrew Bay have harbourside charm, parks and quaint beaches.
A Haven for Cycling
Dunedin's compact layout and flat terrain make it a great place for cycling, while the surrounding countryside is home to world-class mountain bike trails. Signal Hill, which is 40 minutes from the city centre, has the best downhill track in New Zealand. For those with an adventurous spirit, there’s no better place to get on a bike and go exploring.
