Top Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula How to Get Around - page 4

The Otago Peninsula stretches like a finger from the city of Dunedin into the Pacific Ocean, creating a unique landscape where harbor meets high cliffs, rolling farmland and rugged coastlines. On this self-guided driving tour, you'll experience the peninsula's diverse ecosystems, discover hidden beaches, encounter remarkable wildlife, and explore historical sites that tell the story of early Māori and European settlement in New Zealand's southeast corner. You'll start at the Portobello Road Information Stop, before driving along the winding harbor road. You'll have opportunities to visit the award-winning Glenfalloch Gardens, explore the beaches at Macandrew Bay and Broad Bay, and stop at the historic Fletcher House. The journey continues over the peninsula to the wild Pacific side where secluded beaches, volcanic formations like The Pyramids, and abundant marine wildlife await your discovery.

Dunedin’s well-preserved center reflects its unique history as New Zealand’s first city of wealth and influence. On this self-guided walking tour of Dunedin’s heritage, you’ll discover how a brief but intense period of prosperity during the 1860s Otago Gold Rush transformed this Scottish settlement into a colonial powerhouse. You’ll also see the architectural legacy that endures to this day in its grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The tour starts at the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, famously designed by the architect “Gingerbread George” Troup, in striking Flemish Renaissance style. You’ll make your way through the former commercial heart of the city to explore the Warehouse Precinct, where industrial spaces have been creatively revitalized.

Otago’s dramatic volcanic landscape was shaped by Māori history, Scottish settlement, gold rush ambition, and incredible feats of engineering. On this self-guided cycling tour, you’ll explore the scenic shoreline of Otago Harbour via the purpose-built Te Aka Ōtākou and Te Ara Moana cycle paths. You’ll hear the story of the harbour’s two distinct personalities: the industrial western shore and the leisurely, residential peninsula. You’ll also learn about the industries that built Dunedin, the pioneers and scoundrels who settled here, and the hidden histories buried just beneath the surface. The journey starts at Ravensbourne and follows the path to the historic seaport of Port Chalmers. From there, you’ll take the ‘Port to Port’ ferry across the water to the village of Portobello to begin the return leg of your ride. From bustling ports to tranquil bays, you’ll experience the full sweep of the harbour’s past and present.

Otepoti/Dunedin was settled by Free Church Presbyterians in 1848. They worked hard and went to church on Sunday. The gold rush in 1861 brought with it a completely different population to the one first envisioned - a much more lively and less law abiding one. Your guide, Gregor Campbell has spent years curating true stories of crime and murder from Dunedin's grim past. He tells the tales expertly with poise and dignity as he drives around the seemingly harmless areas of Dunedin that, over a hundred years ago were more sordid and despairing. Relax back in a brand new Toyota Hiace minibus while Gregor brings our city back to life.... if only temporarily.

Do you want to show your landscape photos to your friends without boring them? Are you reluctant to switch your camera from “automatic” to the more creative “manual" mode? Yoann, a Kiwi/French tour guide and photographer who has lived in Dunedin for over 18 years, will guide you on a private day of discovery of nature photography in Dunedin, the Nature capital of New Zealand! This private workshop is ideal if you are just starting out in photography, if you are newly equipped, or if you want to consolidate your experience with a professional photographer. This workshop is run in a relaxed atmosphere in Dunedin and on the beautiful Otago Peninsula. You will learn: -What gear to use -Composition: Rule of Thirds, leading lines, breaking the rules -Magic trio: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO -How to use the depth of field and play with the light -How to free yourself from the “auto mode” -Overview of post-processing and Macrophotography -How to correctly expose an image -Long exposure