Dunedin Oamaru The Catlins New Zealand
Dunedin
Dunedin’s staid
Scots heritage has been overlaid by the vigour of a modern day University
town. Long known within New Zealand for producing great musicians,
artists and fashion designers, Dunedin nurtures innovation and creativity.
Wealth generated
by the Otago gold rush of 1861 was responsible for investment in the
city’s early and rapid development. Evidence of this is in some of
its grand old buildings, some taking on new roles as trendy cafés
and retail outlets. Some former private homes are now boutique hotels
and B & Bs. Highlights are some lovely churches and the
renaissance-style
Railway Station, from there
you can take the spectacular scenic rail journey on the Taieri
Gorge Railway, a 4-5 hour trip in to the rugged Otago countryside.
Bordering Dunedin
harbour is the Otago Peninsula home to the
Royal Albatross
breeding colony at Tairoa Head with regular tours for visitors. Also
located on the peninsula you can visit
Penguin Place, Penguin Conservation Reserve – a breeding colony
of Yellow-eyed penguins. There are gardens to explore at Glenfalloch
and at Larnach Castle, plus a number of craft studios to visit, making
a trip to the peninsula a diverse experience.
Oamaru (north of Dunedin)
Renowned for it's historic white
stone buildings, made from the local limestone, that give Oamaru a
feeling of affluence. Noteworthy buildings include banks, post office,
council chambers, courthouse, and several churches. Heritage celebrations
held annually in November include such things as Penny Farthing Cycle
Races and stone sawing competitions
An area near the port, behind the
main street (on the seaward side) is a fully intact nineteenth century
business district under restoration that has been occupied by tradespeople
practicing traditional crafts such as bookbinding.. Near the harbour
area Blue Penguins come ashore to their nesting area at dusk and there
is a viewing facility for visitors.
Catlins Coast
(south of Dunedin)
The south eastern corner and coast of this region is
known as "The Catlins” and contains the Catlins Forest Park, made
up of 10 separate forests.
The coast of the Catlins has beautiful
bays and rocky points. Some of the popular features being: Curio
Bay where the petrified fallen logs and stumps of a Jurassic forest
can been seen at low tide. A visit to Cathedral Caves between
Chaslands and Papatowai, involves a bush and beach walk to spectacular
caves, accessible at low tide. Nugget Point with it's lighthouse,
seal colony and seabirds provides splendid views of the coastline,
take your binoculars an allow 20 minutes return on foot.
The area is lightly populated and
there is very little commercial infrastructure, accommodation and
services are limited. Many of those visitors who do make it to this
area are often just passing through as part of the “Southern Scenic
Route” but for those with the time this beautiful area offers more
opportunities than can be experienced in a few hours.
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