Things To Do in Dunedin

Swing by the visitor center to watch the half-hour video Dunedin Discovered, which will give you an overview of the region. Also pick up a sightseeing map and look for the Walk the City brochure (NZ$3). There are terrific scenic drives around the city and on the peninsula, and the visitor center has plenty of maps and brochures to show you where to go and what to look out for along the way. One of your first stops should also be the Otago Museum . Its gallery, "Southern Land, Southern People," will bring more meaning to your visit.

Forgive me for not walking up Baldwin Street, which, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the world’s steepest street. I couldn’t face the 270 steps that take you to the top, or the footpath and its impossible gradient. Just minutes from the city center, this little street tricks you with a gentle beginning. It then rears dramatically skyward to come to a dead end on the hillside. If you’re hale and hearty and have something to prove, this could be a good test, and I believe the views from the top are worth it. And if you want a certificate to prove to your friends back home that you had what it takes, then stop by the World’s Steepest Street Tourist Shop, 282 North Rd. (tel. 03/473-0923). To get to Baldwin Street, take the Normandy bus to North Road; Baldwin is the 10th street on the right past the Botanic Gardens. And remember, if you drive to the top, there’s only a very tight turnaround space and only one way out—down the way you came!

Dunedin’s Railway Station warrants more than a cursory glance. This marvelous old Flemish Renaissance-style structure was designed by George A. Troup and built between 1904 and 1906. Troup won the Institution of British Architects Award for his efforts and was later knighted. Built of Kokonga basalt with Oamaru limestone facings, the station’s most prominent feature is its large square clock tower. Equally impressive are the Aberdeen granite pillars supporting arches of the colonnade across the front, the red Marseilles tiles on the roof, and the colorful mosaic floor (more than 725,000 Royal Doulton porcelain squares) in the massive foyer depicting a "puffing billy" engine. Look for the replica of Dunedin’s coat of arms and the stained-glass windows above the balcony. This is where you’ll find the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, 1st floor, Main Railway Station (tel. 03/477-7775; wwwnzhalloffame.net.nz), which gives you an overview of New Zealand’s great sporting moments. It’s open daily from 10am to 4pm. Admission is NZ$5 per person.

The Dunedin Gasworks Museum, 20 Braemar St., South Dunedin (tel. 03/455-5062; www.gasworksmuseum.org.nz), is an unexpected find. The gasworks opened in 1863 and today it is one of only three gasworks museums in the world. You’ll find interesting displays of old, steam-pumping engines and an appraisal of the city’s early industrial heritage. It’s open the first and third Sunday of every month, plus every Tuesday, from noon to 4pm; visits by appointment at other times. Admission is NZ$5 for adults and NZ$8 for a family.

Chocolate Heaven

Chocolate lovers and fans of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, rejoice! The famous Cadbury World, 280 Cumberland St. (tel. 03/467-7967; www.cadburyworld.co.nz), is open. This unique, interactive chocolate-themed center offers daily guided tours of New Zealand’s most famous—and favorite—chocolate factory every half-hour from 9am until 3:15pm. Immerse yourself in the process and sample treats along the way. A full tour takes about 75 minutes, but be aware that many of the most interesting processes are "secret" and you don’t get to see them. I found that a little disappointing, and I suspect younger children may be less enchanted by the mechanical focus. It costs NZ$18 for adults, NZ$12 for children ages 5 to 15, and NZ$48 for families. A retail outlet here also offers special "tour only" prices, but you can’t shop here unless you do take the tour.

Taking in the Views

There are three good lookout points from which to view the city and its environs: Mount Cargill Lookout, 8km (5 miles) from the city center (turn left at the end of George St., then left on Pine Hill Rd. to its end, and then right onto Cowan Rd., which climbs to the summit); Centennial Lookout, or Signal Hill (turn onto Signal Hill Rd. from Opoho Rd., then drive 3km/1 3/4 miles to the end of Signal Hill Rd.); and Bracken's Lookout (at the top of the Botanic Gardens), which was named after poet Thomas Bracken, who wrote the words to New Zealand's national anthem.

Exploring Otago Peninsula

Otago Peninsula is simply spectacular, especially on a clear day. It has some of the finest views of the southern coastline and is one of New Zealand’s most renowned ecotourism areas, with several excellent wildlife centers. You can book tours of the peninsula through the visitor center, or pick up the free Visitors’ Guide to the Otago Peninsula, which features a comprehensive map of attractions, arts and crafts, accommodations, and restaurants. The 33km (20-mile) peninsula curves around one side of Otago Harbour. It’s an easy road, although some portions are unpaved, and it takes you past quaint coastal boatsheds and quiet settlements. The listings below cover Otago’s highlights. As most tourism operations based on or visiting this area depend on the welfare of the peninsula’s wildlife, you’ll find most take a conscientious approach to environmentally safe viewing practices.

Close Encounters

If you're traveling with kids - or even if you're not - don't miss the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre & Westpac Aquarium, Portobello, Otago Peninsula (tel. 03/479-5826; www.marine.ac.nz). I can't keep my hands out of things, so I delighted in being able to delve into marine tanks - although it goes without saying that you should first see who's living in there. After all, there's no point in losing a finger to a lobster. You can help feed the sea critters every Wednesday and Saturday from 2 to 3pm; or take one of the daily guided tours at 10:30am. The center is open daily from 10am to 4:30pm. A self-guided visit costs NZ$13 for adults, NZ$6 children 5 to 15, and NZ$25 for a family; the guided tour is NZ$22 for adults, NZ$11 for children, and NZ$49 for a family. If you're heading out to view the albatrosses, it?s on your way. Be aware that it's a narrow, unsealed road through farmland to the aquarium (slippery when wet) and when you get there, there is a sudden, very steep descent into a small car park. The views for photographs are well worth the effort.

Experiencing the Heartland: Central Otago Rail Trail

Get off the beaten track to see the dramatic landscapes and quaint villages of central Otago by following the Central Otago Rail Trail (tel. 03/474-6909). Opened to the public in 2000, this 150km (93-mile) trail between Middlemarch and Clyde -- great for cycling, walking, or horseback riding -- follows the old railway line that took 16 years to build between 1891 and 1907. The trail can be started and finished at either Middlemarch or Clyde and you should allow 4 days to complete it, cycling for around 4 hours a day over gravel surfaces. There are no very steep climbs but a good level of fitness and some cycling experience makes for a much better experience. If you’re walking, you’ll need to be fit and you should allow 6 days. You’ll pass through tunnels (take a torch), over viaducts, and through surreal rocky landscapes, stopping each night at one of the many excellent accommodation spots along the way, which must be booked well in advance. Informative panels dot the trail, detailing the history and geography of the region; and pubs, cafes, and grocery stores in some small villages can be found along the way. Make sure you take cash as ATMs are few and far between. You can find out all you need to know about the trail, bike hire, accommodation, and transport at www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz. There is also an excellent brochure available from the Dunedin i-SITE Visitor Centre.

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.

Dunedin’s nightlife ranges from its legendary university swill holes where drunken, animal--like behavior is de rigueur to smart, upmarket wine bars and a boutique casino. There are also two good theaters, a multiscreen movie theater, and several cafes that double as live-music venues.

The Performing Arts

The Fortune Theatre, Stuart Street and Upper Moray Place (tel. 03/477-8323; www.fortunetheatre.co.nz), plays a major part in the cultural life of Dunedin with a wide range of performances, from Shakespeare to contemporary New Zealand works. The theater is in a historic late-1800s building. Its season runs from February to December. Tickets generally cost around NZ$35 for adults and NZ$25 for students.

The Regent Theatre, on the Lower Octagon (tel. 03/477-8597; fax 03/477-4726), hosts a range of national and international performances. Check the local paper for the current schedule of concerts. Also look out for the Dunedin Sinfonia concert series brochure at the visitor center. Ticket prices vary.

The Bar, Cafe & Pub Scene 

We can thank the student population for much of the color in Dunedin’s after-dark scene. Their favorite hangouts include ReFuel Bar, 21 Frederick St. (tel. 03/477-2575), where the Lounge and Fusion bars provide a changing array of nightly entertainment.

The Bennu Café & Bar, 12 Moray Place (tel. 03/474-5055), and the Ra Bar, 21 The Octagon (tel. 03/477-6080), are currently deemed to be the happening spots for good food and a lively bar atmosphere for anyone over 25. The Craic Irish Tavern, 24 The Octagon (tel. 03/479-0781), pours Irish beers and whiskeys for you to enjoy in front of the fire.

Hunt for the pièce de résistance of Dunedin bars, the very suave, very hard-to-find gem Pequeño, Lower Ground Floor (they really mean "underground"), Savoy Building, 50 Princes St. (tel. 03/477-7830). Alternatively, if you can find a friendly local to direct you, you can access it from a steep, dark alley off Upper Moray Place. I was taken here by Andrew of Hair Raiser Ghost Walk, so it stands to reason he would pick the darkest, seediest entry. Once inside, though, it is a salubrious and classy little den—all fur, leather, and artistic Dunedin types out for a good time. Definitely a place for grown-ups, and they have a terrific wine and cocktails list.

Bacchus Winebar, upstairs at 12 The Octagon (tel. 03/474-0824), is a nice enough place overlooking The Octagon. It never really takes off in terms of a wild night out—it’s more of a sedate place to savor good company and good wine in a smoke-free environment.

Movies

There are six big screens at the Hoyts 6 Cinema, 33 The Octagon (tel. 03/477-7019). It has a cafe and bar and plenty of parking at the rear. There is also a Rialto 3 theater complex now on Upper Moray Place. The Metro Cinema, Moray Place, shows artsy movies.