Think Dunedin – think architecture and with its Scottish background and large student population it’s a perfect blend of young and old. Dunedin’s railway station is a masterpiece and one of the country’s most photographed city’s buildings. And right on this magnificent city’s doorstep, you’ll find an albatross colony, fur seals, and sea lions.
Nearby to the north, you’ll find Oamaru with its little blue penguin colony. Oamaru has the largest collection of protected heritage buildings in New Zealand, Oamaru stone the local limestone – is a world
renowned, Halfway between Oamaru and Dunedin you’ll find the famous Moeraki Boulders over 65 million years old!
Dunedin is a place with a rich history and wild beauty. It covers an area of nearly 850 square miles along the coast, from the Waitaki River in the north to the Clutha River in the south. The Maoris, the original inhabitants of New Zealand, were drawn to the mystic hills surrounding a natural harbor on this coast almost four centuries ago. Since then, Dunedin has been home to gold miners, whalers, and immigrants from Scotland and China. Despite the passage of time, Dunedin has been able to preserve much of its historic architecture, making it home to some of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere.
Whitestone is an area in the Waitaki landscape that is known for its historical architecture. The railway station, built in the Flemish Renaissance style, is one of Dunedin’s main attractions. Dunedin is also a traveler’s paradise, with the rarest penguin on earth, the Hoiho, also known as the yellow-eyed penguin, as its proud resident. Along with the world’s only mainland Albatross colony, sea lions, and fur seals, the mélange of sea-faring wildlife makes Dunedin a unique place to visit.
Despite being a modern city, Dunedin has preserved its natural beauty and wildlife. Rolling grasslands and idyllic fishing spots add to the charm of the city. The University of Otago, the oldest seat of learning in New Zealand, was founded in 1869 in Dunedin. The city is easily accessible by air from anywhere in New Zealand throughout the year.
Explore Dunedin's most interesting sites and get a real taste of what the city has to offer. We show you student culture, local history, rampaging Jaffas and other generally amazing incidents ... Scope out the city's main attractions, landmarks & culture. Discover Dunedin's unique place in the history of New Zealand. Tour duration: 3 - 4 hours, bookings essential....
Bottom Bus provide a scheduled coach service and fully guided tour to Larnach Castle twice daily (except Christmas Day). This service leaves the Dunedin Visitor Centre (in the Octagon) at 9am and 3.00pm. Arrangements can be made to be picked up from and returned to your accommodation on request. A full commentary of local landmarks is given on the journey to the Castle. New Zealand's only Castle. Unique architecture, a Neo-Gothic Castle with Colonial veranda. Fascinating history, of William Larnach, his three wives, his career in politics and banking, and his eventual scandalous suicide. Castle's history, periods of neglect, abandonment and restoration Ghostly presence. Magnificent carved ceilings carved by the best European craftsmen. Breathtaking views from the Tower, 360° Views of Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, Harbour & Pacific Ocean. Antiques, a superb collection of New Zealand antiques, includi....
Travel on an 8-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle for an exhilarating cross country tour. First stop is the mythical "Maori's Footprint" location which offers 720-degree panoramic views (because you will look around twice). Descending from 189 meters above sea level, we stop during the nesting season at a breeding colony of Cormorants (Spotted Shag) nestled on a rugged cliff face rising from the crashing Pacific below. Continuing on we arrive at a hide for a very close encounter with a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals and their pups basking on the rocks and swimming in natural pools in front of you. From here a beach-front ride takes us to a covered, all weather track leading down a purpose built hide on Penguin Beach to view little blue penguins in their nests (in season) and spot the rare and shy yellow eyed penguin in the nest or on the beach any time of the day. Then return to the highest point of the farm, 201 ....
Still on the same site it has occupied since 1876, Speight’s Brewery has become on of Dunedin and Otago’s biggest icons. Not just the “Pride of the South”, the Speight’s brand is one of New Zealand’s most loved beers. The Speight’s Brewery Tour is an award winning interactive and informative tour guided tour through an historic working brewery. You’ll see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients which go into making Speight’s beers and discover how Speight’s became a legend in the south. Learn about the antiquity of beer in Babylonian times, through to the introduction of beer in New Zealand and then the history of Speight’s Brewery, before entering the brewery itself to learn about our unique brewing process. No tour would be complete without sampling the fine product. Welcome to our brewery bar where you can pour your own and you will enjoy an appreciation session of six Speight�....