Explore Dunedin 2022-23

STREET

HISTORY

WILDLIFE

A DAY

AT

Being in a new city is always exciting, but finding your way around can of course be challenging. Explore Dunedin will help you to quickly find and explore all the best things that Dunedin has on offer, so that you can pack even more into your visit.

As well as a wealth of information about the place and its many attractions, you’ll find easy-tonavigate street maps of the inner-city and Port Chalmers.

Explore Dunedin digs into what makes Dunedin one of the great small cities, uncovering its multiple treasures including architecture, culture, street art, fashion, food, wildlife, gardens and much more.

And whether you’re looking for a supermarket, pharmacy, bank, post office, or require a doctor or dentist, you’ll find what you need within these pages. Also at your fingertips will be where to find souvenir and gift shops, malls, speciality retail outlets, restaurants, cafes, and other places of interest.

We hope that Explore Dunedin will contribute towards making your time in the city a memorable experience.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

A special place blessed with natural wonders, rare wildlife, and well-preserved heritage attractions, Dunedin is where architecture meets sweeping coastal landscapes, a wonderful mix of quirky urban charm and dramatic surrounds.

Experience Dunedin’s majestic built heritage and get a glimpse of the illustrious past by visiting some of its many historical sites, which form the best collection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.

Otago Peninsula is a worldrenowned eco-tourism destination and home to some of the rarest wildlife, including many endangered species unique to this part of the world, such as the yellow-eyed penguin and New Zealand sealions.

The only city in New Zealand to hold the title of UNESCO City of Literature, Dunedin boasts a strong creative scene, especially in music, literature, art and design. Our cultural institutions, museums and galleries reflect

the fascinating history and artistic excellence this region is known for.

If culinary experiences are what you seek most, Dunedin won’t disappoint. With one of the best farmers markets in New Zealand, a thriving café and restaurant scene and an ever-growing stable of destination breweries and distilleries, it’s easy to taste your way around the city’s fantastic food and drink offerings.

Here you can see New Zealand’s oldest castle, the world’s only mainland colony of royal albatross, and tackle the steepest street on the planet all in one day. But to truly enjoy the best the city has to offer, we invite you back to stay longer and discover the many hidden gems and highlights that await. Whether this is your first or last port of call, I hope Dunedin will leave you with a lasting impression.

John Christie Manager, Enterprise Dunedin.

A warm and friendly welcome awaits you at The Craic Irish Tavern in the heart of the Octagon. Sit by the open fire and enjoy a beer from our large local and international selection — including Guinness, Kilkenny, Emerson's and Speight’s. Sit out in the Octagon with a glass of Central Otago wine or barista-made coffee. Have a leisurely lunch from our extensive all-day menu. Try our seafood chowder, Blue Cod beer-battered fish and chips, green lipped mussel bowl or slow-cooked lamb shanks — our menu offers something for everyone.

Welcome to Ōtepoti DUNEDIN, ONE OF NEW zEALAND’S mOST HISTORIC AND bEAUTIFUL CITIES.

ESSENTIAL INFORmATION FOR vISITORS

IN CASE OF EmERGENCY...

Dial 111 for Police, Ambulance, or Fire Brigade.

mEDICAL

Dunedin Public Hospital Accident and Emergency Department: Open 24 hours, 201 Great King St. Urgent Doctors 18 Filleul St, phone (03) 479-2900. Open 8am-10pm. Urgent Pharmacy 18 Filleul St, phone (03) 477-6344. Open 10am-10pm. Urgent Dentist Call the urgent doctors above and they’ll give you the number of the dentist on duty. Disability information services www.disabilityinfo.co.nz, phone (03) 471-6152 or 0800 115 891.

POLICE

The Dunedin Central Police Station is at 25 Great King St in the central city. Phone (03) 471-4800.

i-SITE vISITOR CENTRE

Located in the Octagon, Dunedin’s i-Site Visitor Centre is the place to make bookings for tours, access self-guided tour routes, find maps and bus timetables, and read up on a range of activities available around the city.

bANkING

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at most banks and hotels. ATM cash machines are found throughout the city, all major credit cards are accepted and nearly all businesses have EFTPOS.

Ballroom Cafe

A CITY OF RICH HISTORY

Ōtepoti DuneDin iS neW ZeAlAnD’S FIRST CITY - AND A CITY OF FIRSTS.

Dunedin is a place anchored by its heritage, a university city, with a wealth of cultural riches on offer.

Māori settled around the harbour first: Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, and Kāi Tahu.

European settlers came - whalers and sealers, followed in 1848 by Scottish Free Church pilgrims, seeking freedom. They imagined a city, and called it Dunedin (an Anglicized form of the Gaelic for Edinburgh).

The Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s brought wealth and laid the foundations for Dunedin’s rich heritage. Schools, the University of Otago, and other still

cherished amenities and institutions were built. Gold also attracted other peoples, including the Chinese in 1865 to rework the Central Otago goldfields, and there were also strong Jewish and Lebanese communities. The Dunedin landscape, the climate, and the cultural mix has produced a grounded and creative population of over 130,000. Many from out of town come here to study, to experience the outstanding wildlife, the heritage architecture. They’re also wowed by the food, the street art, the surf, sporting facilities, and so much more.

WHAT mADE DUNEDIN?

12 million years BP Dunedin Volcano active. 1330s

First Māori arrive.

1725

Arrival of Ngāi Tahu. 1770

Cook’s Endeavour sails by. 1815

William Tucker the first European settler. 1840

Treaty of Waitangi signed by local chiefs. 1844

Site for Dunedin settlement decided. 1848

Dunedin is founded, with first Scottish settlers. 1861

The Central Otago Gold Rush begins. 1865

Dunedin becomes New Zealand’s first city. 1871

University of Otago is first in the country. 1878

Railway to Christchurch completed.

1882

First shipment of refrigerated meat leaves Port Chalmers. 1884

Dunedin Public Art Gallery founded by William Hodgkins.

1906

Dunedin Railway Station opened.

1914

First flight over Dunedin made by James Scotland. 1921 New Zealand’s first radio

broadcast made by Prof Robert Jack. 1925

Three million visitors to New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition. 1932

The Great Depression spurs riots. 1954

Queen Elizabeth II visits on Coronation tour.

MS Seven Seas first cruise ship to visit. 1962

Momona Airport opens. 1964

The Beatles perform two Town Hall shows. 1972

Now world-famous Dunedin Longitudinal Study begins. 1981

Dunedin Sound begins with The Clean’s Tally Ho 1987

Baldwin St recognised as world’s steepest.

New boundaries make Dunedin New Zealand’s biggest city.

First international flight to city arrives.

Elton John opens Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Dunedin becomes UNESCO City of Literature.

Highlanders are Super Rugby champions.

HERE ARE SOmE OF THE EvENTS THAT CREATED THE DUNEDIN OF TODAY.

PHOTO: DUNEDINNZ

YOU’vE GOT TO SEE THIS

LImITED.

Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden

One of only three authentic Chinese Gardens outside of China, Lan Yuan commemorates the place of Chinese people in Dunedin. Opened in 2008, it was attracting over 30,000 people annually just a few years later. As well as being a lovely place to visit, the Garden is also a popular venue for weddings and functions.

Dunedin Railway Station

While up to 100 trains a day steamed through at its peak, the Dunedin Railway Station is a quieter place now. Designed by George Troup, the 1906 Renaissance Revivalist building is the most photographed in New Zealand, and Dunedin Railways’ world class train trips still depart from there.

Taiaroa Head

At the tip of the Otago Peninsula, Taiaroa Head was the site of a Māori pā established around 1650. During the Russian Scare of the 1880s defences were built there, including an Armstrong disappearing gun that’s still place. Taiaroa Head is also home to the Royal Albatross Centre - home to the only mainland albatross colony in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Octagon

A microcosm of everything good about Dunedin - green space, art, history, and hospitality. The upper Octagon is the superb Dunedin Public Art Gallery, the Robbie Burns statue, a Dunedin Writers Walk, and plaques for local Olympic medallists. The lower side has the Regent Theatre, and an array of al fresco eating establishments.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Since 2007 Orokonui has been a flagship biodiversity project in the South Island. Surrounded by a predator fence, the 307 hectares of forest provides sanctuary to multiple species of plants and animals, including many native birds, bats, and tuatara. With various walks and tours on offer, as well as the visitor centre and Horopito Cafe, Orokonui offers a good day out.

PHOTO: HAYDEN PARSONS / ENTERPRISE DUNEDIN

ARE TOO mANY HIGHLIGHTS

AROUND DUNEDIN.

PLACES

Larnach Castle

Dunedin Botanic Garden

When it’s time for a green fix, the Dunedin Botanic Garden will tick all the boxes. New Zealand’s first botanic garden, it opened in 1863, and is now a six star Garden of International Significance. Across the more than 30 hectares you’ll find an impressive rose garden, New Zealand native plants, and superb plant collections from around the world.

With a captivating history stretching back to 1871, New Zealand’s only castle boasts a commanding position atop the Otago Peninsula. Left to ruin, it was rescued by the Barker family in the late 1960s, and they’ve spent decades carefully restoring the Gothic Revivalist castle and surrounding buildings. Surrounded by a Garden of International Significance, it’s a must visit.

University of Otago

Founded in 1871, the University of Otago is the oldest in New Zealand. Having moved to its North Dunedin location in 1879 after a few years in the Exchange, the University has been expanding since. It’s both the centre of learning and a hub for the 20,000 strong student population, who add a certain vibrancy to the city.

Baldwin Street

The eight-sided city centre is not Dunedin’s most famous route - that honour falls to what is officially the world’s steepest street.

North East Valley’s Baldwin Street was first recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 1987, before losing the title in 2019 to a Welsh pretender. That decision was reversed due to an appeal in 2020.

Olveston House

Another jewel in Dunedin’s built heritage crown, Olveston was the home of businessman and philanthropist David Theomin and his family. His daughter Dorothy gifted the house and it’s stunning array of contents to the City of Dunedin upon her death in 1966.

Nestled on the fringes of Dunedin’s Town Belt, Olveston has served as a lens into the city’s Edwardian era since.

PHOTO: JILL FERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: WALTER BIBIKOW

IMAGES

get cultured

The city has been the breeding ground for generations of creative talent, right across the artistic spectrum. It boasts a rich heritage in literature, visual art, music, architecture, fashion, and beyond. From the University of Otago arts fellowships, to the underground fringes, Dunedin offers fertile ground for the creatively driven.

Dunedin’s been called home by some of New Zealand’s best known artists at some point in the careers, including Frances Hodgkins, Colin McCahon, Robin White, Gretchen Albrecht, Shane Cotton, and Ralph Hotere. Some of their works can be viewed at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the Octagon. There are also numerous dealer galleries representing all tiers of New Zealand artists.

A noted fashion hub, Dunedin has long been host to the iD Dunedin Fashion Week that showcases both established and emerging designers. Many of the latter come from the Otago Polytechnic Fashion Design School. Unsurprisingly numerous designers choose to take inspiration from the city’s unique mood, with NOM*d, Company of Strangers, Charmaine Reveley, and others working from here.

art fashion literature music sport

Since 2014, Dunedin has proudly claimed the status of a UNESCO City of Literature. It’s well-deserved, as many famous writers, poets, playwrights, and publishers have lived and worked here. Janet Frame, James K. Baxter, Charles Brasch, Roger Hall, Ruth Dallas, A.H. Reed, and Hone Tuwhare are just a few. They’re all represented on the Dunedin Writers’ Walk in the upper Octagon.

The city has a fine musical legacy. The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra has been performing regularly since 1965, while the Mozart Fellowship and the University of Otago Music Department are prominent on the musical landscape. Contemporary music also looms large, from 1970s acts like Lutha and Craig Scott, and bands of the 1980s and 1990s including The Chills, The Clean, Straitjacket Fits, and The 3Ds gaining acclaim overseas. More recently Six60, Nadia Reid, and Anthonie Tonnon have gone on to bigger things.

In the Octagon there’s a Dunedin Olympic Walk to match the Writers’ Walk. The city has produced many famous sports people, and been host to a raft of memorable sporting moments at venues including Carisbrook, and more recently Forsyth Barr Stadium and the University Oval. The New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame can be found in the Dunedin Railway Station, although its future in the city is undecided.

FOR A SmALL CITY, DUNEDIN OFFERS A FEAST OF CULTURAL EXPERIENCES, WITH SOmETHING FOR EvERYONE.

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ

history wrought in stone

Thanks to the 1860’s Otago Gold Rush, Dunedin’s early affluence meant numerous majestic buildings were constructed. And thanks to a relative lack of growth during the middle of the 20th Century, the majority survived. As a result there’s an enviable built landscape, with the late historian Dr Rodney Wilson even stating in 2009 that Dunedin should be a World Heritage Site due to its ‘‘astonishingly wellpreserved architecture’’. Around the central city alone there are plenty of impressive sights.

First Church (Moray Place)

Robert Lawson was the architect for a number of Dunedin’s most important buildings. Built from 1867-73, the First Church of Otago was an important development for the city’s largely Presbyterian colonists. Built where the razed Bell Hill stood, Lawson’s neo gothic masterpiece remains prominent in the cityscape.

Dunedin Railway Station (Anzac Square)

By many accounts the most photographed building in New Zealand, George Troup’s 1906 Renaissance Revivalist wonder is undoubtedly the jewel in Dunedin’s architectural crown. Although the tracks aren’t as busy as they once were, the building is still busy, with the Saturday Otago Farmers Market making good use of the carpark.

Dunedin Prison (High Street)

Government Architect John Campbell was responsible for not only the Dunedin Prison, but also the adjacent Police Station, and Law Courts. The prison was completed in 1896, and was operational until 2007. Now run by a Trust, in recent times it’s been open for tours, and host to Escape games.

Dunedin's

Night Pharmacy

Open 10am - 10pm, 365 days a year

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ/ODT

Law Courts (Stuart Street)

Earthquake strengthened and refurbished in 2016, Campbell’s Law Courts building was originally completed in 1902. It’s ominous presence is in part due to the Victorian Gothic styling, but also the dark breccia stone quarried at Port Chalmers.

Consultancy House (Bond Street)

In the Exchange area, which was once the city’s hub, the then New Zealand Express Company building is considered to be New Zealand’s first skyscraper. Constructed between 1908-10, the Luttrell brothers certainly modelled it on the lofty buildings of the Chicago School.

St Paul’s Cathedral (Octagon)

Another building that dominates the upper Octagon, St Paul’s is home of the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin. Consecrated in 1919, it was designed by Sedding and Wheatley in England, with Dunedin’s Basil Hooper serving as the supervising architect.

Dunedin Municipal Chambers (Octagon)

The seat of the Dunedin City Council, Lawson’s neoRenaissance civic building commands a powerful presence in the centre of town. Construction was completed in 1880, with a second phase half a century later.

BNZ Building (Cnr Princes and Rattray Streets)

‘‘It has a certain appearance of massiveness, combined with beauty and richness of design...’’ the Illustrated New Zealand Herald noted in the 1880s. William Armson’s grand BNZ building certainly lived up to the description, and served as a branch until September 1999.

Otago Boys’ High School (Arthur Street)

Looming over the city like something from J.K. Rowling’s imagination, the gothic revivalist glory of Otago Boys’ main building was completed in 1885. Its commanding presence is another of Lawson’s key contributions to the built landscape of Dunedin.

University of Otago (Dunedin North)

Initially in the Exchange, the University moved to North Dunedin in the late 1870s. Maxwell Bury’s beautiful Registry Building from that era is still the main attraction, but Ted McCoy’s 1970’s concrete monolith the Richardson Building is also stunning.

SUMMER JOURNEYS

Explore the beautiful scenery of Dunedin and the surrounding Otago region with Dunedin Railways Summer Journeys. Our iconic trips will take you along the coast to the village of Waitati on The Seasider, through the spectacular Taieri River Gorge on The Inlander or on a culture-packed day trip to the historic town of Oamaru on The Victorian.

To book a Dunedin Railways summer journey, visit www.dunedinrailways.co.nz, or the Dunedin i-SITE

ALL

Celebrating its 23rd year in 2023, iD Fashion Dunedin has helped put the city on the international fashion map.

The showcase of New Zealand’s top designers and the iD International Emerging Designer Awards will be held on Saturday April1, with its edgy blend of high profile designers from New Zealand and abroad and innovative emerging fashion from around the globe.

And in 2023 it will be returning to the platform at the Dunedin Railway Station, a heritage venue that has been beloved by iD fans for many years.

The event is the biggest in Dunedin fashion calendar, but at any time of the year the city is a bit of a mecca for the apparel obsessed. A raft of local designers have grown out of the unique

culture on offer, some taking their designs to the world.

While Margi Robertson’s NOM*d showed on the runways of London Fashion Week in 1999, others including Company of Strangers, Charmaine Reveley, Mild Red, and Carlson have also thrived.

While now Auckland-based, designer Tanya Carlson is the head judge of the iD International Emerging Designer Awards. The event attracts entries from around the world — including many from graduates of Otago Polytechnic’s Fashion Design School.

Offering numerous qualifications in fashion design, the school is a very important facet of Dunedin’s vibrant fashion landscape.

Proudly reflecting Dunedin's Scottish heritage; The Scottish Shop offers a tantalising variety of genuine Scottish items, including tartan ties, scarves & kilts, as well as rugs, jewellery, Scottish delicacies and highland accessories.

Hours:

11.30am-2.30pm / 5pm -

Saturday: 11 30am-2 30pm / 5pm –

Sunday:

FROm ID DUNEDIN FASHION, TO THE FASHION DESIGN SCHOOL, AND THE mANY LOCAL DESIGNERS, DUNEDIN IS vERY WELL PUT TOGETHER.

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ

d

ned n on f lmu ii

THE CITY HAS BECOME A POPULAR LOCATION FOR FILMING, AND HAS FEATURED IN A NUMBER OF BIG BOX OFFICE MOVIES OVER THE DECADES.

Scarfies (1999)

Dunedin student culture and a fraught criminal enterprise were the backdrop for Robert Sarkies dark comedy, where Taika Waititi was first spotted. The iconic turret house can be found on Canongate, a walk up up the hill from the Speights Brewery.

Sylvia (2003)

Coastal Otago was the scene for this biopic about the brilliant, tragic poet Sylvia Plath and husband Ted Hughes, played by Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig. The University of Otago was used to depict prestigious Cambridge University.

The Light Between Oceans (2016)

Starring Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, and Alicia Vikander, this drama was filmed around Dunedin, and the isolated lighthouse at Cape Campbell in Marlborough. Port Chalmers, Otago Peninsula, and Dunedin Prison were all locations used.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Nominated for multiple Academy Awards, Jane Campion’s western epic filmed in the Maniototo, Dunedin, and Oamaru cost around $40 million to make. Dunedin Railway Station featured prominently as a 1920’s period Montana set.

The Royal Treatment (2022)

Rick Jacobson’s romance was Netflix’s number one film globally upon release. As well as filming on the Otago Peninsula and Oamaru’s Victorian precinct, it cast Dunedin as New York, with Vogel Street a convincing big city scape.

Bacchus 1st Floor of 12. The Octagon, Dunedin. Page 45 Best Cafe 30 Stuart Street,Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 21 Bowey’s Pool Lounge 81 Crawford Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 33 Careys Bay Hotel 17 Macandrew Rd, Careys Bay, Dunedin 9001 Page 12

Comes First Diner 132 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 5

DCC - Art Gallery 30 Octagon, Dunedin 9016 Page 28

DCC - Botanic Gardens Cnr &, Great King Street North, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016 Page 26 DCC - Chinese Gardens 39 Queens Gardens, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 27 DCC - Dunedin iSite 50 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016 Page 22

DCC - St Clair Salt Water Pool Esplanade, St Clair, Dunedin 9012 Page 31

DCC - Moana Pool 60 Littlebourne Road, Roslyn, Dunedin 9010 Page 32 DCC - Olveston 42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016 Page 8

DCC - Toitu 31 Queens Gardens, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 28

DCC - Totally Georgeous George Street Dunedin Page 35 Digiart and Design 19 George Street, Dunedin 9023 Page 29

Dunedin Casino 118 High Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 3

Dunedin Pharmacy 22 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 31 Dunedin Venues

Little Kiwis

Fish

To Find Books

Love Merino

Fashions

Castle

Railway Station, Central Dunedin, Dunedin, 9016

The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

Dowling Street, Central, Dunedin 9016

021 467

The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

Camp Road, Larnachs Castle, Dunedin 9077

Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016

Meridian Mall Limited 285 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9058 Page 47 Moonshine Meridian Mall, 267-287 George Street, Dunedin 9016 Page 44 Mr Noodles Floor 0/472 George Street, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016 Page 46

Naked Baby Eco Boutique 318 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 40

Nova Bar Cafe 29 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 4 Ocho Chocolate 10 Roberts Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 35

ODT Journeys 52 Stuart Street, City Center, Dunedin 9016 Page 41 Opshop on St Andrew 407 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 29

Orokonui Ecosanctury 600 Blueskin Road, Dunedin 9081 Page 36

Otago Art Society 22 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 30

Otago Golf Club 125 Balmacewen Road, Maori Hill, Dunedin 9010 Page 27

Otago Museum 419 Great King Street North, Dunedin North, Dunedin 9016 Page 30

Pictura 23 George Street, Port Chalmers 9023 Page 37

Port Otago PORTCHARLMERS.COM Page 16

Port to Port Cruises Peninsula Beach Road, Port Chalmers 9023 Page 37

Rata Jewellery Wall Street Mall, 211 George Street, Dunedin 9016 Page 15

Relics 86 Saint Andrew Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 33

Smiths Sport Shoes 59 Great King Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 15 Speights Ale House & Brewery 200 Rattray Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 48

The Craic Irish Tavern 24 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016 Page 7

The Little Rock Shop 5 George St, Dunedin, 9016 Page 34

The NZ Shop 1 George Street, city centre, Dunedin 9016 Page 6

The Scottish Shop 120 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 21

Urgent Pharmacy 18 Filleul Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 18 Wall Street 211 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 2

Wals Plant Land 109 Bush Road, Mosgiel 9024 Page 19 Yaks n Yetis 309 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 Page 14

DON’T mISS PORT CHALmERS

It may be your point of arrival, or a destination while you’re in town. Either way, a poke around quaint Port Chalmers is a must, offering a multitude of gems awaiting your discovery and enjoyment just 13km from Dunedin.

The port-side settlement has a thriving arts community, so check out the local art galleries and design shops for something beautiful, while George Street also features pubs and cafes.

Local history is celebrated at the excellent Port Chalmers Maritime Museum, housed inside the 1877 Post Office. The port was the departure point for New Zealand’s first frozen meat shipment, while Captain Robert Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition also left from here.

There’s a memorial to Scott high on the hill behind the town, while the Flagstaff Lookout offers brilliant views of Port Otago’s constant activity, as well as a restored time ball and the sculptures of Hotere Garden Oputae.

And neighbouring Port Chalmers is idyllic Carey’s Bay, and the Carey’s Bay Historic Hotel that offers indoor and outdoor dining with views of the bay, home to the local fishing fleet.

BE SURE TO EXPLORE PORT CHALMERS DURING YOUR DUNEDIN VISIT.

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ

PORT CHALmERS WALkS

1. Boiler Point Walk

Follow Macandrew Rd towards Carey’s Bay, and through carpark by Rowing Club.

2. Carey’s Bay via Lady Thorn Dell and Cemetery Up Church St to Dell, continue up to cemetery, and further to Carey’s Bay.

3. Flagstaff and sculpture garden Walk up Grey St, turn left at Scotia St, then to Aurora Tce.

4. Flagstaff down to Back Beach

A steep descent from Flagstaff, then zigzag to Peninsula Rd, and Yacht Club.

5. Back Beach

Start from Yacht Club, follow gravel track on reclamation edge to picnic table - and fishing.

6. Full Harbourside Walk

Wickliffe Tce, follow around to Victory Pl, then Peninsula Beach Rd, follow back around to Port Otago.

7. Skyline Walk

Native bush track from Scott Memorial, to a seat with skyline views.

Come and play at the oldest golf club in the Southern Hemisphere established in 1871 - the historic Balmacewen course, which has hosted New Zealand Amateur and Open Championships. The club is open to visitors seven days a week, with a fully stocked golf shop, bar and café. Green fee players welcome, club hire and cart hire available.

EXPLORING FURTHER

If you’re feeling energetic, Baldwin Street - the world’s steepest - awaits. Recover with an ice cream and a wander around beautiful Chingford Park. The hill suburbs tell the story of Dunedin’s heritage, with from glorious villas, wellmaintained bungalows, and quaint working men’s cottages. Maori Hill, Roslyn, Belleknowes, and Mornington flow into each other, with cafes and shops dotted along the ridgeline above the city’s town belt.

Cable cars were once the best mode of transport to reach these elevated suburbs. Take in the view over the central city and harbour from Roslyn Bridge.

Look south and you’ll find South Dunedin

and St Clair. The heavily populated south of the city is a totally different thing to the CBD.

St Clair and St Kilda beaches are a magnet for sun lovers, swimmers, surfers, and everyone who likes food. Perfect for morning coffee, a long lunch, or casual evening dining, and you can walk it all off along the beach.

Or head south to Brighton, a great place for a family day out with a picnic, fish’n’chips, or an ice cream at the beach.

Also south are the temperate climes of Mosgiel, a growing satellite town with a population of around 15,000, and its own unique charm. No matter which direction you head in, there’s always something new to do in Dunedin.

DUNEDIN OFFERS PLENTY bEYOND THE CENTRAL CITY. LOOk AROUND THE SUbURbS AND YOU’LL FIND SOmE HIDDEN GEmS.

PHOTO: DUNEDINNZ

THE STREETSOUT ON

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ

OF DUNEDIN HAS bECOmE A CANvAS FOR WORLD CLASS STREET ART.

Take a magical mystery tour of Dunedin’s inner-city streets and alleyways with the captivating Street Art Trail. Here you’ll find the creations of both local and international artists exploding across the facades of many buildings in an eye-popping display of colour and texture. To begin your Dunedin Street Art Trail walk, use the online map at dunedinstreetart.co.nz Number one on the map is also the first street artwork that was commissioned by the Dunedin Street Art charitable trust in 2014.

Belgian artist ROA’s giant tuatara on Bath Street captured the population’s imagination, and more street art was demanded.

Now there are well over 30 works around the inner-city, and even more to be seen out around the suburbs. The majority of the works on the

Dunedin Street Art Trail are on the southern side of the city centre, with many to be seen around the Warehouse Precinct - a rejuvenated area where developers committed to preserving heritage buildings have also sponsored this creativity.

The Street Art Trail reflects many of Dunedin’s connections with the world, both historical and contemporary. Phlegm from the UK has created a mythical creature resembling a kakapo, and a giant fish swallowing aspects of the city’s pastMāori waka, and European sailing ships.

Other international artist include Pixel Pancho (UK), Dal East (China), Natalia Rak (Poland), and Hyuro (Argentina), while locals include Sean Duffle, Emma Francesca, Stickum, and Sam Ovens.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL

GREAT WALkS

A great place for walking, Dunedin has a range of tracks offering something for all ages and abilities. The Dunedin Town Belt has been preserved since the early days of European settlement in Dunedin. This strip of parks and bush offers plenty of recreational possibilities, including walking. You can explore from any point, or attempt to traverse its entirety from the Oval to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. Ross Creek, off Burma Road, is a short and picturesque wander that weaves through native bush and exotic forest around one of New Zealand’s oldest reservoirs. The family-friendly loop is popular with walkers and joggers, as well as the local birdlife. The surrounding reserve offers the opportunity to find some solitude adjacent to the city, with bush, creeks, and even a waterfall.

The Pineapple Track leads to the top of Flagstaff, which has stunning views over the city and the Taieri Plain when the weather allows. From Booth Road you’ll

get a real workout on the climb, or you can begin on Whare Flat Road, for a short and steep hike to the summit. Either way, it’s a great way to get your bearings - and some exercise - in Dunedin.

You can drive to the top of Mount Cargill for superb 360-degree views. But if you are feeling more adventurous, you can follow the relatively easy tracks through the bush from Bethune’s Gully. Once at the top though, a detour to the Organ Pipes is compulsory.

These hexagonal basalt columns are one of Dunedin’s most unique natural features. Be careful on the loose rocks that you’ll have to negotiate though.

A popular coastal walk on the Otago Peninsula, the Sandymount Track offers great views of Hoopers Inlet and Allans Beach.

The hour-long walk has ups and downs through farmland, to a series of viewpoints. Begin at the carpark on Sandymount Road, off Highcliff Road.

AS A HARbOUR CITY SURROUNDED bY HILLS, DUNEDIN NATURALLY PROvIDES RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WHETHER GOLFING, CYCLING, WALkING, OR JOGGING THERE’S PLENTY TO DO AND SEE.

PHOTOS: DUNEDINNZ

PEDAL POWER

Dunedin has become a mountain biking mecca, with many kilometres of custom designed track to be found on the hills surrounding the city. These include the awesome Signal Hill Reserve, with a world class network of trails for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert riders. Mountain Biking Otago has also developed tracks at Wakari Creek, Whare Flat, Bethune’s Gully, Nicols Creek, and Swampy Summit.

paradise for outdoor lovers, dunedin has an abundance of green spaces including the much loved town belt that skirts the inner city.

bACk TO THE GARDEN

There are the Gardens of International Significance at Larnach Castle and the Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and many other glorious spaces to visit.

The magical Woodhaugh Gardens are perfect for a family outing. This idyllic spot is a 15-minute walk from the city centre, and has a great paddling pool and playground with swings, slides, and a flying fox. There are also barbecues on site, so it’s the ideal spot for a picnic.

For garden lovers there’s the historic Glenfalloch Garden on Otago Peninsula. The 30 acres of gardens were started in 1871, and there’s a 100-year-old Matai, along with rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, native ferns, exotic imports and more.

YOUR ROUND

The selection of golf courses all around Dunedin is sure to offer something to please players of all abilities. Among them is the Otago Golf Club, at Balmacewen on the hills above the city. Established in 1871, its picturesque 18-holes have hosted the very best, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and New Zealand’s Sir Bob Charles and Michael Campbell.

In Port Chalmers you’ll find the Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell, on the site of an old bluestone quarry. It’s been developed into a lush landscape featuring rhododendrons, magnolias, maples, flowering bulbs, all with panoramic views over Otago Harbour. Further afield there’s the magnificent 2000 hectare Sinclair Wetlands on the Taieri Plain, returned to its original condition by former owner Horrie Sinclair. It’s home to over 60 bird species, and features walking tracks and a visitors’ centre.

SHOPPING

But don’t ignore the side streets, as there are quirky stores and fashion boutiques dotted everywhere - including upstairs, so be prepared to explore and make some exciting discoveries.

George St, Princes St, and Moray Place are at the heart of Dunedin’s shopping precinct, with all offering a diverse range of stores. Whether you’re after a souvenir or something fabulous to wear, you’re guaranteed to find something unique. The Meridian Mall on George St offers around 50 distinctive specialty stores, encompassing fashion, lifestyle, and gifts, plus there’s a great international food court.

In the same block there’s the Wall Street Mall, with boutique shopping, international brands, and some great food on offer.

On the opposite side of George St is Albion Lane, a very popular a busking spot which leads through to

Great King St and more great shopping.

Head north or south from the Octagon and you won’t be disappointed with the diversity of shopping on offer in Dunedin.

If you’re looking for apparel there are plenty of options.

I Love Merino have amazing merino and possum blends that have superior washing and wear resistance, as well as linen and other textiles.

Naked Baby Eco Boutique hand-picked range offers reliable and durable products, with clothing, toys, educational, food, and much more.

The Scottish Shop has recently moved to Stuart Street, with its tantalising variety of genuine Scottish items, including tartan ties, scarves and kilts, rugs, jewellery, and highland accessories.

Further out, Wals Plant Land has an amazing garden centre, cafe, as well as mini golf, a maze, and even a mini train.

CO m E OUT & PLAY

While it’s a city packing some serious historical weight, Dunedin also offers a good dose of fun for the whole family.

Here you’ll find plenty of playgrounds, pools, parks, beaches, and other outdoor spaces where excess energy can be burnt. And there are also many engaging indoor attractions, including Otago Museum. The kids will love Animal Attic, a treasure trove of over 2000 taxidermied creatures of all descriptions. And the Museum’s Tūhura Otago Community Trust

Science Centre is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand, with a Tropical Forest, the Beautiful Science Gallery, and Perpetual Guardian Planetarium.Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is another must-visit, telling the story of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding area. There are 14 galleries, with many interactive displays. But after exploring the cultural centres of the city, and enjoying the local cafes and restaurants, it’s time for some outdoor time at one of Dunedin’s playgrounds.

PRESS PLAY

MARLOW PARK

Known as the Dinosaur Park thanks to its iconic slide, this St Kilda beachside playground has been loved by generations of kids. With an array of play equipment, and a recently improved cycle track, there are hours of fun to be had.

MEMORIAL PARK

A huge playground in Mosgiel, there’s something for everyone here. A triple slide fortress, a skate park, great climbing, a secure space for the very little ones, and open spaces for ball games, it’s definitely worth a visit.

BOTANIC GARDENS

A smallish, safe playground for all ages, with much more besides. There’s open space for picnics and running

around, ducks to be fed, the Winter Garden to marvel at, and up the hill there’s an aviary, and various themed gardens to be discovered.

BAYFIELD PARK

Besides the Andersons Bay Inlet, and the sportsgrounds of Bayfield Park, this is the perfect sunny day picnic spot. The kids can enjoy slides, swings, see-saws, a spiderweb net, tunnels, and the rocktopus.

MARKET RESERVE

Closer to town and set well back from Princes St, here you’ll find equipment including swings, a fort, see-saws, a jungle-gym, and now has Dunedin’s first balance park. There are also benches and shady places for a quiet picnic lunch.

PHOTOS:

ST CLAIR AND ST KILDA

A trip to Dunedin wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the city’s most prominent - and legendary - stretch of sand. An easy journey from the centre of town, St Clair and St Kilda face the Pacific Ocean. But they’re both favoured swimming spots, with surf patrols during the warmer months. It’s also a mecca for surfers, with one of the most consistent breaks in New Zealand. And St Clair Esplanade offers a range of cafes and bars, ideal for lunch,

BRIGHTON

Another favourite spot for local families is Brighton Beach, which offers something for everyone. Set by a charming seaside village 20km from Dunedin, it’s perfect for a relaxed day trip. The surf lifesaver patrolled beach may be small, but it’s invigorating. There is plenty of space for the kids to run around, and the creek is great for smaller swimmers and

WARRINGTON

Head north out of Dunedin, past Waitati, and you’ll spot the Warrington turn-off. Here you’ll find another gorgeous sandy beach, again with its own surf life saving club operating over summer. A relatively safe and sheltered spot, the beach offers great conditions for swimmers and beginner surfers. The Blueskin Bay estuary lies over the spit, and there’s a playground and picnic area right by the beach at the Warrington Domain.

LONG BEACH

A 2.4km stretch of soft white sand and fairly calm surf in a quiet spot half-anhour from Dunedin - what’s not to like? On a good day, Long Beach is an absolute gem, with plenty of space for a picnic, and good swimming even though there are no life savers on patrol.

It’s also a destination for local rock climbers, and there’s a huge cave at the northern end that’s well worth a visit.

And around the beach and lagoon there is an abundance of bird life, including little blue penguins, herons, and pukeko.

Dolphin

Royal Albatross Skipper

Rachel McGregor

Portobello/Port Chalmers

bY DRAmATIC COASTLINES, DUNEDIN HAS mORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF WILD bEACHES, OFTEN TOTALLY DESERTED.

WILD THINGS

The coastline and peninsula are a seabird spotters’ paradise. Albatross, penguins, shags, spoonbills, oystercatchers, giant petrels, and sooty shearwaters all make their home here.

Sightings of orca and dolphins are common in the harbour, and there have been occasional visits from the Southern Right Whale, which was once on the brink of extinction.

Fur seals are in abundance around the rocky coastal outcrops, and one of the world’s rarest sea lions - Hooker’s - can be seen sunbathing on many of the sandy beaches surrounding the city. They are protective of their patch though, so make sure to stay at least 20 metres away.

Dunedin is home to the only mainland breeding colony of albatross anywhere in the world. The Northern Royal Albatross/ Toroa can be seen at the Royal Albatross Centre at the end of Otago Peninsula. You can take a guided tour to watch the antics of these majestic seabirds in their natural environment.

Everyone falls in love with the Yelloweyed Penguin/Hoiho, and the world’s smallest penguin, the Little Blue Penguin/Kororā. Sightings of these penguins are usually at dusk when they scurry back from the sea to their nests. The best safe viewing of Hoiho is at Sandfly Bay or on a Penguin Place tour, while Kororā can be viewed from a platform just below the Royal Albatross Centre. Both are endangered species and must be given space.

On the hills above the other side of Otago Harbour is the predator-free Orokonui Ecosanctuary. This is home to some of the world’s most fascinating and rare forest birds, reptiles, and plants. You can wander through the native forest with or without a guide, and may see takahē, tuatara, Otago skinks, kaka, bellbirds, and tui. If you really want to get up close and personal with New Zealand’s native birds, this is the place to be.

Not too close however - the emphasis is on the ‘wild’ side of wildlife, so please give our co-inhabitants some space.

TAKE A DAYTRIP ON OTAGO PENINSULA

W orld famous for its wildlife reserves, the 20km long peninsula features the only mainland Northern Royal Albatross colony on the planet.

It’s also home to the world’s rarest penguin, the yellow-eyed penguin, as well as populations of the New Zealand sea lion, New Zealand fur seals, and little blue penguins.

Whether you take the low road or the high road on the Peninsula, there’s always plenty to discover.

Portobello Road follows the foreshore through harbourside communities passing through picturesque Macandrew Bay and Portobello - both perfect spots for a picnic.

Eventually you’ll reach the wildlife splendour of Taiaroa Head, home to the Royal Albatross Centre, and Fort Taiaroa with its amazing Armstrong disappearing gun.

Highcliff Road offers a commanding view, and will lead you to New Zealand’s only castle. Larnach Castle has been one family’s restoration project for over 50 years now, and is full of colonial antiques and surrounded by a Garden of International Significance.

There are numerous ways to access the stunning Otago Peninsula, including hiring a car, using the superb cycleways, or taking one of the many tours on offer.

WITH ITS AmAzING vARIETY OF HAbITATS AND LANDSCAPES, DUNEDIN’S NATURAL ENvIRONmENT mAkES IT THE WILDLIFE CAPITAL OF NEW zEALAND.

OTAGO PeninSuLA WAS OnCe DeSCRiBeD AS ‘‘THe FineST eXAMPLe OF eCOTOuRiSM in THe WORLD’’ BY THe LATe BOTAniST DAViD BeLLAMY.

PHOTOS: DUNEDIN NZ

PHOTOS: DUNEDIN NZ

NORTH

DUNEDIN

315 Euro

Located in Dunedin’s vibrant café and retail area, only a 3-minute walk from Dunedin Hospital, a 5-minute walk from the Octagon, and a 10-minute walk from the University of Otago. Ample free onsite parking in the heart of Dunedin city center. All windows double glazed and soundproofed. Free Wi-Fi. 315-319 George St / 03 477 9929 stay@eurodunedin.co.nz www.eurodunedin.co.nz

538 Great King Motel 538 Great King St / 03 477 7983 info@greatkingmotel.co.nz www.greatkingmotel.co.n

755 Regal Court 755 George St / 03 477 7729 stay@755regalcourtmotel.co.nz www.755regalcourtmotel.co.nz

858 George St 858 George St / 03 4740047 reservations@858georgestreetmotel.co.nz www.858georgestreetmotel.co.nz

Alcala Motor Lodge Cnr George & St David / 03 477 9073 alcala-motel@xtra.co.nz www.alcalamotorlodge.co.nz

Alexis Motor Lodge 475 George St / 03 471 7268 stay@alexis.co.n www.alexis.co.nz

Alhambra Oaks 588 Great King St / 03 477 7735 info@alhambraoaks.co.nz www.alhambraoaks.co.nz

bOOk YOUR DUNEDIN mOTEL DIRECTLY

Cable Court Motel

stay@allancourt.co.nz www.allancourt.co.n

Amross 660 George St / 03 471 8924 amrossmotel@callplus.net.nz www.amrossmotel.co.nz

Aria on Bank 42-46 Bank Street / 03 473 1188 stay@ariaonbank.co.nz www.ariaonbank.co.nz

Aurora on George 678 George St / 03 477 7984 stay@auroradunedin.co.nz www.auroradunedin.co.nz

Beechwood

842 George St / 03 477 4272 info@beechwood.co.nz www.motel-accommodation-dunedin.co.nz

Bella Vista Dunedin 704 Great King St / 03 477 2232 reservations@bellavistadunedin.co.nz www.bellavista.co.nz

BLUESTONE ON GEORGE

Enjoy the relaxing ambience of this modern boutique accommodation. Tastefully-decorated rooms, all with balconies or patios. Guest lounge serving a light menu, and plentiful outdoor seating as well as a manicured garden. Walk to many fabulous local dining options, cafes, bars, the main shopping area and the city’s attractions. 571 George St / 03 477 9201 stay@bluestonedunedin.co.nz www.bluestonedunedin.co.nz

833 Cumberland St Nth / 03 477 3525 cablecourt@ilt.co.nz www.cablecourt.co.nz

Commodore Motel

932 Cumberland St Nth / 03 477 7766 info@commodoremotel.co.nz www.commodoremotel.co.nz

Cumberland Motel

821 Cumberland St Nth / 03 477 1321 cumberland.motel@xtra.co.nz www.cumberlandmotel.co.n

Dunedin Motel + Villas

624 George St / 03 477 7692 staydunedin@xtra.co.nz www.dunedinmotels.co.nz

George Street Motel Apartments

575 George St / 03 477 9333 info@georgestreetmotel.co.nz www.georgestreetmotel.co.nz

Garden Motel

958 George St / 03 477 8251 info@gardenmotel.co.nz www.gardenmotel.co.nz

Highland House

1003 George St / 03 477 2665 dunedinbookings@gmail.com

Leith Valley Holiday Park & Motel

103 Malvern St / 03 467 9936 stay@leithvalleyhp.co.nz www.leithvalleytouringpark.co.nz

Owens Motel

745 George St / 03 477 7156 owensmotel@xtra.co.nz www.owensmotel.nz

Sahara Motels

619 George St / 03 477 6662 info@dunedin-accommodation.co.nz www.dunedin-accommodation.co.nz

Woodlands Motels and Apartments

594 Great King St / 03 477 0270 woodlandsvillage@xtra.co.nz www.motel594.co.nz

CENTRAL

DUNEDIN

97 Motel Moray

97 Moray Place / 03 477 2050 info@97motel.co.nz www.97motel.co.nz

Aaron Lodge

162 Kaikorai Valley Rd / 03 476 4725 lindsay@aaronlodge.co.nz www.aaronlodgetop10.co.nz

Motel on Carroll

10 Carroll St / 027 217 9019 brian@moteloncarroll.co.nz www.moteloncarroll.co.nz

Motel on York

47 York Place / 03 477 6120 info@motelonyork.co.nz www.motelonyork.co.nz

Roslyn Apartments

23 City Rd, Roslyn / 03 477 6777 roslynapartments@xtra.co.nz www.roslynapartments.co.nz

Dunedin Holiday Park 41 Victoria Rd / 03 455 4690 office@dunedinholidaypark.co.nz www.dunedinholidaypark.co.nz

DUNEDIN PALMS MOTEL

Fantastic inner city location, just a 5-minute walk from the centre of Dunedin. Walking distance to bars, cafès, restaurants and shopping. A stone’s throw from Dunedin’s warehouse precinct featuring boutique bars, cafés, and entertainment. Studios, spa bath units, one-bedroom units, an executive one-bedroom spa pool unit, and two-bedroom family units available.

185 High Street / 03 477 8293 stay@dunedinpalmsmotel.co.nz www.dunedinpalmsmotel.co.nz

Law Courts Hotel

Cnr Cumberland & Stuart Sts 03 477 8036 admin@lawcourtshotel.co.nz www.lawcourtshotel.co.nz

SOUTH DUNEDIN, ST CLAIR

555 Dunedin 555 Anderson Bay Road / 03 455 5779 stay@bwdunedin.co.nz

Adrian Motels

101 Queens Drive / 03 455 2009 adrianmotel@xtra.co.nz www.adrianmotel.co.nz

Bayfield Motel and Apartments

210 Musselburgh Rise / 03 455 0756 info@bayfieldmotel.co.nz www.bayfieldmotel.co.nz

Carisbrook Motel 169 South Road / 03 455 2167 carism@xtra.co.nz www.carisbrook-motel.co.nz

MAJESTIC MANSIONS APARTMENTS

@ ST CLAIR

Located just metres from the beach, and minutes from the heart of Dunedin city. Our serviced one and two-bedroom apartments are ideal for short and medium-term stays, for corporates, families and groups. 15 Bedford Street, St Clair 03 456 5000 bookings@majesticmansions.co.nz www.majesticmansions.co.nz

ESPLANADE APARTMENTS

Beachfront apartments. Local cafes, restaurants and boutiques. Minutes away from central city. Various apartments for corporates, families and groups

14 Esplanade / 03 456 5000 bookings@esplanade.co.nz www.esplanade.co.nz

OUTER DUNEDIN

Bella Vista Mosgiel

85 Gordon Road, Mosgiel / 03 484 7258 stay@bellavistamosgiel.co.nz www.bellavistamotels.co.nz

Bonnie Knights Motel

18-20 Quarry Rd, Mosgiel / 03 489 2415 stay@bonnieknights.co.nz www.bonnieknights.co.nz

Mosgiel Regency Motel

50 Gordon Road, Mosgiel / 03 489 4711 mosgiel.regency@xtra.co.nz www.mosgielregency.co.nz

Portobello Motel

10 Harington Point Road / 03 478 0155 portobellomotels@xtra.co.nz www.portobellomotels.com

Longbourne Lodge Motel

100 School Road South, Mosgiel / 03 489 5701 longbourne.lodge@xtra.co.nz www.longbournelodge.co.nz www.555onbayview.co.nz

EATANDDRINk

Moonshine, Ground Floor, Meridian Mall, Dunedin

THERE’S A bROAD bUFFET OF EATING PLACES TO CHOOSE FROm, WHETHER YOU’RE AFTER A LIGHT LUNCH, A SNACk, OR A bIG bREAkFAST.

PHOTOS:DUNEDINNZ

DRINk

And of course there’s some quality drinking to be had in the city, with some excellent venues, and boutique beer and spirit producers.

South of the Octagon you’ll find the Grand Bar and Restaurant at the Grand Casino where you can enjoy a feast of contemporary New Zealand cuisine. They offer a classic a la carte menu and a well-stocked bar in chic surroundings, and with superb service.

Over 20 years since they opened, the Speight’s Ale House Dunedin Bar and Restaurant is still ‘‘generous to a fault’’. Their menu has something for every taste, and of there’s a superb range of Speight’s on offer of course. The Octagon is a hub for diners, with an array of options. In the upper half there’s the Dunedin institution that is Nova. Seating more than 80, it’s a casual cafe by day, and a restaurant by night; they also offer Allpress coffee.

The Craic Irish Tavern has warm and friendly service, with a great selection of beverages, and an extensive

brunch, lunch, and dinner menu.

Upstairs on the corner is the awardwinning restaurant and wine bar Bacchus. As well as a three-course set menu, there are lunch, evening, and dessert menus, and of course an excellent drinks list.

On Stuart Street is Comes First Diner, where chicken reigns supreme. There are burgers, beers, and much moreand you can dine in or takeaway.

A couple of blocks down towards the Railway Station is the venerable Best Cafe, in existence since 1932. The seafood restaurant and takeaway is a perennial favourite with hand-cut chips and a quality selection of fish.

Across the road is the Magic Moments at the Law Courts Hotel, a magic-themed restaurant offering traditional Kiwi meals, and a family magic show.

Further afield, the Carey’s Bay Historic Hotel, right next to a fishing port one bay around from Port Chalmers. There’s an excellent menu with both seafood and other mains, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Dunedin’s Finest Dining Experience

Stunning views overlooking the Octagon, a strong focus on Local Cuisine and an extensive wine list.

Bacchus has been operating for 30 years and has established itself as one of the premier dining restaurants in New Zealand, and a must when in Dunedin. Lunch Monday to Friday.

bacchuswinebar@xtra.co.nz