Click HERE for a map of Dunedin and surrounding
areas
Located on the south-east coast,
Dunedin is the 2nd largest city on the South Island, and
the capital city of the Otago Region. The city is
nestled on the slopes above Otago Harbour, and extends out
into the surrounding valleys and hills of the Otago Peninsula and
along the coastline of the Southern Pacific Ocean.
The name originates from Dun
Eideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, as some of
the first settlers were representatives of the Free Church of
Scotland.
The native Maori occupied the area
from around 1300 AD, and although Captain Cooks' ship anchored off
shore in 1770, the first europeans settling in the area were
sealers, hunting the seals that lived around the coast. The
early years of co-habitation, from around 1810-1823, were
fraught with conflict, but peace was brokered and peaceful settlers
started to move in, and by 1830, the area was becoming
permanently occupied. By 1852, the city was so big,
it was named the captial city for the Otago Region, and 10
years later, it grew rapidly after gold was discovered just to the
south-west. A long programme of construction carried on
for the next 50-60 years and some of the buildings from that era
still survive around the town, including the stunning Victorian
train station, built in 1906
In modern times, the city has a
population of over 123,000 and offers everything you could want
during your visit. The nearby beaches are spectacular, with
soft white sand and great surfing, and the Otago Peninsula has
numerous scenic walks and woodland trails. There are
many historic and heritage buildings, pretty landscaped gardens and
parks, and around the coastline, fur seals, Hooker's Sea
Lions, penguins and many bird species make their homes.
There is a huge variety of
restaurants, bars and shops, to suit all tastes and budgets.
Accommodation in and around the city, is similarly varied and
abundant, with everything from hotels and motels,
backpackers hostels, and holiday parks, to private
apartments and holiday homes, boutique lodges and luxury bed &
breakfast properties, many of which are beautifully restored
Victorian or Edwardian residences.
Transport around the area is easy
and well organised. There are several State Highways
(motorways) running through or around the city, making connections
to Christchurch (226m/364km) to the north, Invercargill
(135m/218km) to the south, the international airport (19m/30km
south), and access to the Southern Scenic Tourist Route.
Buses also run in and around the city and tourist train
services run from the central train station.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS AND PRICES
ARE CURRENTLY BEING CREATED, IF YOU NEED DETAILS AND PRICES AT
THIS TIME PLEASE CALL OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM.