Dunedin was New Zealand's first city and has a distict Scottish flavour! ('Dunedin means Edinburgh in Old Gaelic). It is located on the south east coast of the South Island.   The English and Scottish settlement of Dunedin thrived on the gold rush of 1861 and the city continued to prosper long after the goldfields became deserted.

The presigious University of Otago (New Zealand's first University) and many secondary schools are a result of the wealth of this city, which is also one of the best preserved Victorian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.You can visit the famous Speights Brewery located in the city centre, go mountain-biking, walking and hiking among many other activities.

New Zealand's first botanical gardens were in Dunedin and within the city boundaries are numerous noteworthy gardens, from the formally laid out annual colour displays of the Dunedin Railway Station gardens, to the delightful private gardens owned by local residents.

Glenfalloch Woodland Garden and Restaurant is a 30 acre harbourside garden featuring rhododendrons, fuchsias, azaleas and magnolias. A famous feature at the Botanic Garden is the Rhododendron Dell, which is celebrated every year in the third week of October with the Rhododendron Festival.

The Albatross Colony that breeds on the Otago Peninsula is definitely worth a trip and you may even catch a glimpse of the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin, that breed in the region. Dunedin city is also famous for its fashionable shops and boutiques, its vibrant and energetic city life, many and varied cafes and bars.

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