Attractions Guide of Dunedin

North Island New Zealand Hotels | South Island New Zealand Hotels
About Dunedin
The Otago coast stretches from the Waitaki River north of Oamaru to the mighty Clutha River south of Dunedin.

The Waitaki district is a place of haunting natural beauty, complemented by Oamaru’s historic whitestone architecture. Travellers come to see the diverse wildlife, idyllic fishing villages and rolling green pastures.

Dunedin's dramatic hills surround a long, natural harbour, which attracted Maori settlers to the site over four centuries ago. More recently the area was settled by whalers, gold miners and migrants from Scotland and China. Memorable for its historical architecture, Dunedin is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. On the doorstep of the city, you can find incredible wildlife - the world's rarest penguins, a mainland albatross colony, fur seals and sea lions.

The Clutha district, gateway to the deep south, provides rural experiences, superb fishing and wildlife adventures along majestic sweeping beaches.
Getting here & around
Around the centre of Dunedin, your feet will prove to be the best mode of transport. Walk the historic streets, appreciating the architecture as you go. A rental car will allow you to explore the Otago Peninsula and the coast. Traffic is pleasantly unhurried in any direction.

Getting to and from Dunedin
By Air
Dunedin airport is located 30 minutes drive south of Dunedin City. The airport receives trans-Tasman flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Domestic flights from New Zealand's main centres arrive several times a day.

Local airlines provide charter flights to almost anywhere in New Zealand, as well as flightseeing tours to places like Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Queenstown and Stewart Island.

By Road
Dunedin is situated on State Highway 1, which runs from Christchurch in the north and Invercargill in the south. Road conditions are excellent with good quality, uncongested roads. A few gravel roads exist in rural areas. Coach services to Dunedin include Bottom Bus, Kiwi Experience, Magic, Stray Cats Southern Link, Atomic Shuttles and Intercity.

Driving times to major cities and towns:
- Christchurch - 5 hours
- Oamaru - 1.5 hours
- Te Anau - 4 hours
- Queenstown - 4 hours
- Invercargill - 2.5 hours

Getting around Dunedin
Dunedin is a very compact city, but it is also hilly. Occasionally in winter, ice and snow can make driving a challenge on some Otago roads.

All the major rental car companies are represented in the city. It's easy to collect a rental car from the airport.

Distances to places of interest in Dunedin are not great, so taxis are reasonably cheap by New Zealand standards.

A number of tour companies can help you to experience Dunedin city and Otago Peninsula without the hassle of driving. You can choose a structured tour with a set itinerary or you can hop on and off at various attractions around the city.
Top Dunedin scenic highlights

Otago's scenery has a soulful quality that urges you to stay a while. Wild, coastal landscapes contrast with heritage buildings and rural tranquillity. There's such a lot to absorb.

A genuine castle overlooking the beautiful Otago Harbour
Larnach Castle, located on the Otago Peninsula, is New Zealand's only castle. William Larnach - Minister of the Crown, banker, financier and merchant Baron, built the castle for his beloved first wife, Eliza Jane Guise. Construction began in 1871 and 200 workmen laboured for five years before the family moved in. Gifted European craftsmen worked for eleven more years to embellish the interiors with the finest materials from around the world. The ornate interior carving, detailed stonework, woodcarving, plasterwork and glass are outstanding. The castle consists of forty-three rooms and a large ballroom. It is open for viewing every day.

A trip to the tip of the Otago Pensinsula
Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula was once the site of the important Pukekura fortified pa in the 18th century. Later it was a busy population centre involved with harbour work, shore defence and prison labour projects. Presently it is the home of the Royal Albatross Colony, the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world. It's also the place to see the Armstrong Disappearing Gun, installed to fend off a feared Russian invasion in 1880 and later used as a defence post in the two world wars.

Just before Taiaroa Head is the Otakou marae and village, from which Otago gets its name. There is still a strong Maori presence here, and the settlement's most prominent building is the Maori church.

Marvellously huge marbles all over the beach
The famous Moeraki boulders lie scattered along a beach 40 kilometres south of Oamaru. According to Maori legend, the boulders are gourds washed from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand some 1000 years ago.
Scientists explain the boulders as septarian concretions formed about 65 million years ago. Crystallization of calcium and carbonates around charged particles in muddy undersea sediments gradually formed the boulders. The process took as long as four million years. The soft mudstone containing the boulders was raised from the seabed around 15 million years ago, and the sea is gradually washing away the mudstone to expose the erosion-resistant boulders.

The viewing platform, just a few minutes walk through regenerating native forest, offers good views of the boulders. If you're lucky, Hector's dolphins will be playing in the waves.

A tunnel hewn by hand through sandstone cliffs
To provide his daughters with a private bathing beach, the son of Captain William Cargill (a wealthy landowner and noted community leader) had a tunnel hewn in the sandstone cliffs south of St Clair. Tragically, one of his daughters is said to have drowned in the waves here.

Watch southern ocean rollers smash against steep cliffs; look for fossil shells over 20 million years old embedded in the sandstone blocks strewn on the beach; see the large sandstone arch formed by the ocean's power. The beach, which is now known as Tunnel Beach, is a one hour return walk.
Seasonal Tips
Summer (Dec-Feb)
In summer you can enjoy the region’s many outstanding surf beaches. It’s a great time to see the boulders at Moeraki, have a picnic at Lake Waihola and drive the magical water’s edge road to Taieri Mouth.

Dunedin is lively with a series of summer events: The Summer Festival (which includes the Gutbuster Race up and down the world’s steepest street), the New Zealand Masters Games (biennial) and Orientation Week, when the returning students get involved with all kinds of good-humoured tomfoolery.

Autumn (Mar-May)
As the leaves change colour around the university campus, Capping Week fun begins. 'Scarfies', as the students are known, brighten up Dunedin’s autumn days with their practical jokes and impressive graduation parades.

The lower reaches of the rivers are hopping with brown trout and spawning salmon. For anglers, the Taieri, Clutha and Waitaki rivers provide both scenery and excitement.

On the Otago Peninsula, the gardens are a picture of autumn glory. Food enthusiasts will enjoy Taste Otago Wine & Food Festival.

Winter (Jun-Aug)
Winter promises the occasional dusting of snow around the hills. Fresh winter vegetables and hearty rural treats can be sourced from the Otago Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Winter Solstice Celebrations set the Octagon aglow with lantern parades and the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival serves up a delicious week of celebration.

Winter wouldn’t be winter without rugby. Enjoy the atmosphere of ‘The Terraces’ watching a game at legendary Carisbrook.

If you’re driving up to the Moeraki Boulders, continue north to see historic Totara Estate.

Spring (Sep-Nov)
Dunedin in spring is resplendent with blossoms and buds. The city's public and private gardens are ablaze with colour. The Rhododendron Festival is held at the end of October.

A spring tour of the Otago Peninsula reveals all kinds of new life. Newborn lambs on local farms, yellow-eyed penguin chicks, royal albatross chicks, baby fur seals and sea lion pups. Cuteness abounds – your camera will be very busy.

The breeding season is also underway at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony – penguin activity is at its height.
Key Tips
- Dunedin airport receives trans-Tasman flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Daily domestic flights arrive from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and other provincial centres.
- Dunedin is located on State Highway 1 approximately 400kms south of Christchurch, 350kms east of Queenstown and 250kms north of Invercargill.
- Dunedin is the northern entry/exit point for the Southern Scenic Route, a journey around the spectacular south eastern corner of the South Island.
- To view rare wildlife, you can drive from central Dunedin to the tip of the Otago Peninsula in one hour.
The above material are taken from Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand Travel - Accommodation and tourist guide to New Zealand. It covers the whole of New Zealand Hotels, both North Island hotels and South Island hotels.

New Zealand Information - Click here for travel information on New Zealand, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and map in major city.

E-Biz Travel - offers information on thailand and Discount Hotels in Thailand, Bangkok hotels, Pattaya hotels, Phuket hotels, Krabi hotels, Koh Samui hotels, and more Thailand Hotels.