Dunedin is a vibrant hub of action, entertainment and events featuring something for everyone, from the intrepid gourmands right through to family adventurers.
A wealth of experiences awaits over the next few months, with an impressive calendar of festivals, concerts and exhibitions alongside the many outstanding attractions within a short drive of the city centre. Take some time to linger a while and truly explore Dunedin, a city of hidden gems, tasty discoveries and southern legends. You’ll find days of entertainment ready and waiting, making it an ideal destination for school holidays and more.
For those who crave crustaceans and bounty from the deep, the Port Chalmers Seafood Festival on 30 September is a dream come true. The historic, harbour-side hamlet plays host to a day of feasting and entertainment. A coastal train or free buses will transport you to over 40 stalls selling delicacies such as southern clams, green-lipped mussels, whitebait, craft beer and Central Otago wine, with all-day entertainment keeping things lively for kids and adults alike.
Whilst in town, check out the international touring exhibition ‘Life Before Dinosaurs - Permian Monsters’ at Otago Museum until 25 February. It brings the past alive with life-size animatronic models and fossilised skeletons of animals that ruled the world 290 million years ago.
If liquid refreshment is high on the agenda, take in the recently relaunched Speights Brewery tour. Trace the evolution of beer from its Babylonian origins to Speights’ emergence as a Southern legend, with tastings to illustrate.
Dunedin is a coastal city with an abundance of beaches, walks and wildlife to explore. After your days of discovery, you can rest awhile at our quirky bars, craft and micro-breweries and restaurants. Each morning, sample our thriving brunch scene and, come the weekend treat yourself to fantastic local flavours at our Saturday farmers’ market. Meanwhile:
- celebrate the lunar equinox at the Chinese Moon Festival on 1 October, when the Dunedin Chinese Garden will host a day of cultural activities and performances
- spend an enchanted evening strolling amongst gorgeous glowing installations and sculptures at Otago Peninsula’s Glenfalloch Golden Night Garden, 27 - 29 September
- see the Fortune Theatre’s production of the smash hit rock musical ‘That Bloody Woman’, 26 September to 8 October.
Check the http://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/extendyourstay page for a full range of activities and enticing offers for your long weekend or mid-week mini-break, or more, in amazing, naturally wild, sophisticated Dunedin.
