Dunedin

About

Initially founded by the Free Church of Scotland, Dunedin (named after the Gaelic name for Edinburgh) grew in size and stature due to the Otago Gold Rush of the 1860’s. The city was envisioned to encompass the architectural romantic style of the old Scottish cities, leading to something of a mixture of quirky streets and grande buildings. Some such examples of stunning buildings can be seen in the form of the Dunedin Railway Station, the First Church of Otago, and the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest such establishment and reputedly the most beautiful in the world. Culture is a biggie in Dunedin, with attractions ranging from the excellent Speights Brewery tour, to the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum with it’s engaging displays of the region’s history. There is a 90 minute street art trail to follow too, with vibrant and whimsical works dotted around the centre.