A Southern tour with a Southern Man – Dunedin

Having been born and bred in that beautiful city of Dunedin, I’ve often extolled to my wife the many brilliant attractions of that part of the world.

A few months ago I spied a gap in our calendar and put the idea of a Southern Tour to her for early autumn to see the changing foliage colours and unforgettable scenery.

Naturally, she agreed.

The day after we were ‘trounced’ by South Africa in the deciding 5th match of the one-dayers we flew to Dunedin. Major distraction on the flight! The Black Caps and Proteas were on the same plane. I spent the trip biting my tongue!

Before I retired 3 years ago, I used to travel south from Auckland frequently to the southern part of the South Island. Usually, I would forget about the lack of humidity and heat and NOT pack accordingly. Unfortunately, this trip is no exception. We arrive to 15 degrees after leaving a balmy 24.

Picking up our rental car we proceed into Dunedin from Momona Airport, a 20-minute drive. The drive in introduces us to a change in the architecture we are not used to up North. It has a solidity that matches the character of people who live here. Even the plants and trees have an appearance that testifies to the strength of surviving weather conditions we just read about in Auckland.

Being a Sunday and with no cruise ships docking in, Dunedin is quiet but still very appealing. A drive down memory lane for me as I point out landmarks, old homes and even where I had my first job as a telegraph boy at the Post Office. This beautiful building has now been turned into an upmarket hotel, so great as it is truly representative of the era of the 1930’s architecture.

Being built around a harbour with a peninsula extending 30 kilometres north, Dunedin has retained so much character. From the Forsyth Barr stadium to the University, a magnificent town belt, the gothic architecture of Otago Boys High and numerous Churches, a two named Main Street [Princess and George] and one-way traffic system, the City just screams – “enjoy our hospitality”.

There are so many things to love about Dunedin.

• The drive along the high road of the Otago Peninsula taking in breath-taking views and scenery that matches the best in the world.

• Larnoch Castle with not only a beautifully restored building thanks to the efforts of the Barker Family over the last 50 years, a private garden that will cater for most tastes. The fact it is north-facing ensures weather has a reduced impact on growth.

• A wild life reserve set aside for a variety of bird life and mammals including seals, sea lions PLUS the Royal Albatross birds who return to the nest and raise their young under the supervision of an enthusiastic crew at the north end of the Peninsula.

• Oliveston Historic House – a perfect replication of 19th-century opulence.

• An Early Settlers Museum that provides examples of the past many over 60 will relate to. The museum includes an exhibition called ‘The study of Life’ that continues to follow the lives of 1,057 people born in Dunedin in 1968 and how they have responded to life’s challenges. This exhibition is not to be missed and has attracted the attention of many scientists around the world.

• Beautiful botanic gardens.

• Magnificent examples of Victorian architecture.

• Beaches with surfing opportunities that will satisfy most.

• The Otago Museum that captures the adventures of our own Sir Edmund Hillary along with many other interesting artefacts.

• The Taieri Gorge train trip.

• So many more sights around this beautiful City with the best history of our young nation.

All too soon our time in Dunedin comes to an end and we are off south heading for the Catlins…

By Alex Sharp

Look out for Alex’s next post next week. In the mean-time read more by Alex on GrownUps here.