Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand that is enriched with beautiful wildlife and landscapes. The city offers vibrant cafes, fishing, ice skating, kayaking, dining, shopping, brewery tours, golf and a chocolate factory. It would be wise for a tourist to book accommodation well in advance, especially during the summer months. Accommodation can also be scarce when special events are being staged, such as a high profile rugby game or graduation ceremonies.
Top Dunedin City Attractions
The Botanic Gardens offers 70 acres and 6,800 species of plants. There are year-round attractions, such as birdsong, an aviary, rhododendron garden, indigenous plants and a hothouse.
The Taieri Gorge Railway takes a visitor on a trip through a gorge that has spectacular scenery, towering viaducts and wild landscape,
The Dunedin Chinese Garden is a traditional late Ming, early Chinese Dynasty Scholar’s Tea Garden, where visitors can sample Chinese tea and dumplings.
The Guinness Book of Records claims that Baldwin Street is the world’s steepest street. Walking takes ten minutes to get to the top, or a visitor can drive to the top and look down at the view. A drinking fountain is available for thirsty walkers when they reach the top. A few keen cyclists have attempted the uphill ride, but the steep descent can be tricky! During the ‘Gutbuster’ summer festival, competitors run up the hill and then back down again.
Dunedin City Hotels
Dunedin City accommodation comprises world-class hotels, boutique apartments, backpacker hostels, friendly bed and breakfasts, and affordable motels. Cheap hotels in Dunedin City can also be found in many city areas. The local motels will generally offer a clean room with a kitchen and TV. Throughout the area, air-conditioning can be a rarity. This usually is not a problem due to the cooler climate, though heating is standard in most accommodation.