Don't Miss

The handsome heritage of Dunedin

Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Spend a few hours admiring the valuable collections at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. The city also has many private galleries
• Catch the Taieri Gorge Railway for an excursion around the region. The train departs from Dunedin Railway Station
• Visit historic Olveston for a peek at the home-life of a Dunedin family during Edwardian times
• Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only castle. It perches on a hill overlooking the magnificent Otago Harbour
• Take a tour of Speights Brewery, home of the South Island's favourite beer
• Otago Museum is one of New Zealand's oldest and largest museums. View exhibitions related to culture, nature and science
• Chocolate lovers will delight in the Cadbury World factory tour and chocolate shop
• Shop in Dunedin's designer boutiques for fashion innovations and stylish souvenirs
• Dunedin Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place to wander at any time of the year

The wild side of coastal Otago

Meet some of Otago's rare and unusual inhabitants on an eco-experience.

• Visit the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head. It's the site of the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world
• Catch a cruise to see albatross, seals, blue penguins, cormorants and other interesting creatures
• For a close-up look at New Zealand marine life, discover the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
• Watch yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) going about their lives at the penguin colony on Otago Peninsula
• Climb onto a unique 8-wheel amphibious vehicle for a coastal farm adventure
• You'll see fur seals, sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins
• Enjoy a personalised wildlife tour with a knowledgeable local guide

North to Oamaru

Drive north to the historical township of Oamaru and discover amazing sights along the way.

• Ride a horse around the paddocks at Springbank Farm in Palmerston
• Marvel at the perfect roundness of the mysterious Moeraki boulders
• Dine on fresh seafood straight from the boats at Moeraki's fishing village
• Buy fish and chips for a beach picnic at Hampden
• View the penguins coming ashore at dusk at the Oamaru Blue Penguin colony
• Explore the beginnings of New Zealand's farming industry at historic Totara Estate
• Admire Oamaru's historic stone architecture - many buildings feature Oamaru whitestone, a form of limestone
• Wander through Oamaru's historic harbour precinct; experience a collection of Victorian era markets, stores and hospitality
• Take a step into prehistoric New Zealand at the Vanished World Centre and fossil trails in Duntroon

Sample the scenery south of Dunedin

Between Dunedin and Balclutha, you'll find many reasons to stop the car.

• Pause for a picnic at pretty Lake Waihola
• Watch wading birds at the beautiful Sinclair Wetlands
• Visit the 25 million year old whale and dolphin fossils near Milburn
• Walk McNally's track near Milton - great views from the top
• Get into country life with a Taieri or Milton farmstay
• Drive the absolute-water's-edge road that runs from Dunedin to the mouth of the Taieri River
• Fish for brown trout and salmon in the lower reaches of the Clutha River
• Admire Balclutha's bridge, then drive to Stirling for a cheese factory tour