Dunedin is a great city near the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It was settled by mainly Scottish settlers in the middle of the 19th century.
Many of Dunedin's street names have an origin in Edinburgh, Scotland. There is a statue of famous Scottish playwright Robbie Burns in the Octagon at the city centre, to show the great link between the two countries.
Apart from the Scottish and European immigrants Dunedin also has a very strong Chinese community. Many Chinese immigrants arrived in Dunedin and travelled to the Central Otago goldfields and worked hard to sustain a living. The families of these Chinese pioneers can still be found living in Dunedin.
A large percentage of Dunedin's population is made up by students of the University of Otago a popular New Zealand university. When the students are around a good time is always had.
Dunedin is the largest city in New Zealand, and indeed the fifth largest in the world in terms of land area (population makes it about number 5 in New Zealand with around 110,000 people living in the greater Dunedin area). Greater Dunedin encompasses many tourist attractions. Visit the peninsula and take in the sights from the tower of New Zealand's restored castle, Larnach's castle. New Zealand's only other castle is also in Dunedin this is called, Cargill's castle and is situated in disrepair on the St. Clair hill, which can be seen from the St. Clair golf course. Travel inland to Central Otago and pass Gabriel's Gully, where the third largest gold find in the southern hemisphere during the 1800's sparked Dunedin's economic growth. During this time Dunedin was for a short period, the capital of New Zealand.
Venture within the central city itself and view the historic buildings such as the Town Hall and Municipal Chambers. The Railway Station is well worth a visit to take in its impressive stained glass windows and intricately detailed mosaic floor. You can also visit the Otago Settler's Museum which focuses on the people and past of Otago, as well as the innovative developments that made colonisation easier. Visit the Otago museum next to the University and see how Dunedin was the most pioneering and influential city of early New Zealand.
The Taiaroa Peninsula features a world-renowned albatross colony where you can take a look at these wonderful birds. You can also see some yellow eyed penguins and seals on the Peninsula.
Dunedin is a great city to visit with a great mixture of peoples, but it is best to visit in the summer to take in its full beauty. The winter can be a bit grey and cold.
