I moved to Dunedin NZ/Ōtepoti in February 2022; the city had been calling for years, and I finally decided to answer the call. Along with moving to Aotearoa’s conservation capital; I decided to switch my degree to zoology, because I aim to work with New Zealand sea lions/pakake. Who’d have guessed?
Ōtepoti has something for everyone: scenery, rare wildlife, history, architecture, culture, art, shopping, food.
Here is Sian Mair’s guide to Ōtepoti:
– Check out Ōtepoti’s many stunning beaches: St Clair, Tunnel Beach, Smaills Beach, Doctor’s Point, Allans Beach and Sandfly Bay.
– Check out Ōtepoti’s rare and endangered wildlife. You can witness albatross/toroa by going on a The Royal Albatross Centre Tour, yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho by going on a Penguin Place – conservation reserve Tour, pakake by visiting the local beaches, and New Zealand fur seals/kekeno by visiting the local coast. Ōtepoti celebrates its wildlife every year during the New Zealand Festival of Nature.
– Ōtepoti is considered Aotearoa’s wildlife capital. The Dunedin City Council are committed to maintaining this reputation. In 2017, the Reserves and Beaches Bylaw came into effect, which restricts vehicles on beaches, with the purpose of protecting the regions rare and endangered wildlife.
– Ōtepoti is serious about food and coffee. Some of my local favourites are primarily plant-based café Kindred NZ, Buster Greens, RdC Espresso, Side On, Dispensary Cafes, and the Esplanade.
– Ōtepoti is one of few cities in Aotearoa with Edwardian and Victorian period architecture, and Italianate, Gothic, Georgian, and Palladian architecture styles. It is also home to Larnach Castle and Larnach’s formerly owned ‘White House’.
– Did you know Ōtepoti has an intricate underground tunnel system? The tunnels were built in 1860 for sewerage and nefarious purposes… (I’ll leave that up to your imagination). Nowadays, some of these alleyways lead to bars, galleries, and boutiques. You can book a Hair Raiser Ghost Tours to access the others.
– Ōtepoti boasts the ‘Steepest Street in the World’: Baldwin Street. It begins at 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level and ends at 100 meters (330 feet) above sea level.
Photo: Sian Mair. Please note I took this photo from 10 meters away and zoomed in on my camera. 20 meters is preferable.