Dunedin offers excellent shopping, with most stores open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5:30pm, Friday from 9am to 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
A good place to park your car and start browsing is the new Meridian Shopping Centre, George Street (tel. 03/477-1129), which has over 40 specialty stores and an international food court. For a Kiwi memento to take home, check out the New Zealand Shop (tel. 03/477-3379; www.upic.co.nz), in the civic center, next door to the visitor center on The Octagon. It’s open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9:30am to 4:30pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm—they will even open just for you if you call ahead. It’ll pack and ship your order overseas, too.
If you want something with a "bonny wee Scottish" flavor, head for the Scottish Shop, 17 George St. (tel. 03/477-9965; www.scottishshop.co.nz). It has a wide range of tartan and heraldic goods, right down to tartan ties. Helean Kiltmakers, 8 Hocken St., Kenmure (tel. 03/453-0233), continues the theme with made--to--measure kilts.
Hides, 185 George St. (tel. 03/477-8927), has top-quality Dunedin-made sheepskin and leather jackets, while Glen’s Leather & Accessories, 192 Castle St. (tel. 03/477-3655), offers good-value lambskin and leather products. Kathmandu Ltd., 144 Great King St. (tel. 03/474-5178), will see you right for all your outdoor gear.
For top-quality, one-of-a-kind New Zealand designer jewelry, you can’t do better than Lure, 130 Lower Stuart St. (tel. 03/477-5559). This gallery exhibits the works of leading New Zealand jewelers and exquisitely detailed pieces displayed in pull-out drawers beg to be purchased! For top-quality New Zealand designware, furniture, lighting, and contemporary art, visit White Room, 25 Moray Place (tel. 03/477-7875; www.whiteroomdesign.co.nz), which has beautiful, handcrafted works from top New Zealand designers and artists. It’s open Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 5pm and Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
The award-winning University Book Shop, 378 Great King St. (tel. 03/477-6976; www.unibooks.co.nz), offers just about anything you’re likely to want to read. It’s just across the road from the Otago Museum and open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday from 9:30am to 1:30pm, and Sunday 11am to 3pm. Secondhand bookshop lovers won’t want to leave Raven Books, 389 Princes St., Dunedin (tel. 03/474-5562). It’s a glorious, old-style emporium filled with collectible, antiquarian, and general secondhand books, plus New Zealand small press and art books. They’re open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Milford Galleries, 18 Dowling St. (tel. 03/477-7727), is the best dealer showing contemporary New Zealand art.
Everyday Gourmet Ltd., 446 George St. (tel. 03/477-2045), provides instant gourmet satisfaction and the chance to find the perfect, unusual gifts for friends and family back home. Quite apart from the delicious counter food and light meals on offer, there are shelves bulging with products from near and far. I've decided it's easier to give into temptation than to resist. You'll find New Zealand-made items that will surprise and delight: the country's best olive oils, sauces, honey, preserves, chocolates, and cheeses, all presented in attractive gift packs. While you try to decide what to buy, enjoy the terrific coffee. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
