Dunedin

The 25,000 students at the Univerisity of Otago contribute to a strong arts scene. Holidays in Dunedin enjoys vibrant night life and thanks to the 25,000 students at the Univerisity of Otago which is the oldest tertiary education institution in the country. The student population also contribute to a strong arts scene. Dunedin Public Art Gallery is home to the country's oldest public art collection and  The Octagon in which the collections are located is light and airy and is considered to be a work of art itself.

Dunedin is actually the largest city in New Zealand in terms of land area, but the city centre itself is compact and manageable because the city's population spreads beyond the hills and surf beaches. The city is arguably the country's most spectacular in terms of contrasting landscapes and the town centre graced with flower-filled parks and gardens. Holidays to Dunedin are about satisfying all the senses and culinary sensations are a delight in Dunedin. There is an abundance of fine food being grown, harvested, made, prepared and served in Dunedin, as well as some fine brown brews being poured. Learn about the local stories behind many of New Zealand’s best known brands.

Dunedin is the centre of, and the gateway to the Otago region. Across Otago Harbour and Peninsula or the majestic sweeps along the sandy beaches of St Clair to the stunning little “secret places” such as Tunnel Beach and the haunting rocky tors and tussock of Middlemarch, the hinterland and the starting point for the Otago Central Rail Trail. The seaside settlements of Karitane and Port Chalmers provide the perfect setting to escape the city for the day.

Dunedin airport is 30km  out of town on the nearest piece of flat land that was big enough for the runway. Air New Zealand has flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and internationally from Brisbane. Flying time ranges from 3 hours 20 minutes from Melbourne to 4 hours from Brisbane. Virgin Australia has flights from Auckland, and internationally from Brisbane. Jetstar flies domestically from Auckland. Allow 4 hours 30 minutes to travel from Christchurch by car and 2hours 30 mins from Invercargill. The railway station is close to the centre of town. Unfortunately there is no longer a regular long distance passenger train service, but some people arrive in the city by the local scenic trains. These are operated by the Taieri Gorge Railway, which runs out as far as Middlemarch.

Dunedin gets more visitors in summer, but during the university vacations it's quieter.

Inland Otago remains dry year-round, and you can expect crisp, sunny days in winter, but the coast gets more rain, and Dunedin can have day after day of clouds and showers. Southland in winter isn't any colder, but it is wetter. It's often said of New Zealand that you experience all four seasons in one day; on Stewart Island you may experience them all in an hour. In winter, there's a better chance of seeing the aurora australis, but some of the island's walking trails may be closed.

Climate

Dunedin has a temperate climate and four seasons, each with their own distinctive beauty.There’s some frost in winter and very occasional snowfalls which usually clear during the day. Temperatures reach 20° – 25°C in the summer months, 13° -17°C in autumn, 9° – 12°C in the winter months and 12° – 17°C in spring.What to WearComfortable layers. Bring a coat and comfortable footwear – especially if visiting the wildlife on Otago Peninsula. Warm clothing is necessary for the winter months (June-August).

Events

The Dunedin Summer Festival in February and March presents themed weekends, exhibitions, outdoor concerts, family activities, and sporting and cultural events. At the same time is the id Dunedin Fashion Show, where the city's many designers showcase their work on the Dunedin Railway Platform in front of international media. In May, the Regent Theatre 24-Hour Book Sale  offers up over 300,000 volumes in the country's largest sale of second hand books. It all started as a way to raise funds for the theater's restoration, and it's become a successful, established event filled with fun, live entertainment, and great bargains. In the third week of October, Dunedin Rhododendron Festival celebrates the exotic beauty of Dunedin's most famous flower. A happy combination of soil and climate makes the city one of the finest rhododendron-growing areas in the world.