Dunedin

A city with a strong Scottish heritage and the site of New Zealand's first university - which have both combined to leave Dunedin with a rich and diverse culture.

Baldwin Street - a unique claim to fame

It's not the busiest, nor the most scenic, but with an incline of 38 degrees and a gradient of 1 to 1.26 Baldwin Street is officially the steepest street in the world. The winners of its celebrated annual ‘Gut Buster' race manage to reach the top and descend in 2 minutes, but most visitors take a good 5 minutes just to reach the top.

A haven for beer and sports fans

For beer-drinking sports fans there is arguably no better Kiwi city. The New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, commemorating the nations finest sports stars, is found on the first floor of the railway station. Then there is Speights, the country's oldest brewery, with its entertaining tours and inevitable tastings. Finally, in the rugby season a visit to Carisbrook Stadium to see Otago RFC play will help the sports fan to understand why visiting teams refer to the stadium as the ‘The House of Pain'.

The Railway Station

Imposing and elaborate both internally and externally, Dunedin railway station is as grand and impressive as any built in Victorian times. Among many of its ornate features is the mosaic floor that consists of over 700,000 tiny porcelain squares made by Royal Doulton. Trips on the well-known Taieri Gorge and Coastal railways start here.

The Octagon

A tree-lined, octagonal space that marks the centre of the city, around which most of the historic sights and city life revolve. A statue of Scottish poet Robbie Burns stands at its centre as another reminder of the city's Scottish roots.The Octagon is the best place to start exploring Dunedin on foot, whilst craft markets and free open air concerts are also staged regularly throughout the year.

The Dunedin Sound

Over the last thirty years the music generated by local bands playing in Dunedin's pubs has become famous throughout the world of rock. Renowned for its originality, the ‘Dunedin Sound' continues to draw acclaim throughout Europe and the USA. Rock music lovers can check out the many gigs on offer in the city and even study for a degree in Rock Music at Otago University.

The arts, culture, bars and cafés

Dunedin is home to Otago University, the oldest in New Zealand, and with a student population of over 20,000 the city has a justified reputation as a centre for culture, the arts, bars, cafés and nightlife. A number of well-established festivals are held during the year, drawing many visitors from across the world.