The Edinburgh of the South! And with so many place and street names obtained from Edinburgh, Scotland is it any wonder? Dunedin City is built on seven hills, rather like Rome, and when the forefathers designed the city streets, little did they know how hilly Dunedin was. For example Princes Street ran through Bell Hill. If the area had not have been excavated, the street would be too steep even for modern day cars.

When the designers mapped out the city, they designed it for horse, and pedestrian traffic, the motor age had not arrived. It was the gold from Central Otago and Queenstown districts that brought the major wealth to the city.

Nowadays Dunedin is the fourth largest city in New Zealand, and is situated about eighty miles south of 45th Parallel, an invisible mark exactly half way between the Equator and the South Pole. It is at the head of Otago Harbour once a busy port, but now playing second fiddle to Port Chalmers some twelve kilometres north east. Many industries have come and gone, some of the head offices of major New Zealand companies have headed north, to better markets. Dunedin will always be regarded as a university town, with the institution the biggest employer.

In the vicinity of Dunedin is the Otago Peninsula, a wildlife playground, with rare and interesting species of animal and bird life. Otago Harbour is part of a chain of tidal bays and inlets within the greater Dunedin area. Other areas are Blueskin Bay, to the north, Purakaunui Inlet, Otago Harbour, Papanui and Hoopers Inlet on the peninsula. These contain numerous shellfish and molluscs, and the birds trying to get them for their supper.

Life in Dunedin can be interesting, with so much nature close at hand. Imagine sitting at one of the numerous beaches, sniffing in the salt-sea air, or watching the seals and penguins. Imagine living on one of the many hills, getting a great view of parts of the city from your lounge or living room? Imagine opening the front door, and in comes the smell of wet vegetation on a rainy day?

Otago Peninsula

A secluded beach on the ocean coast side of Otago Peninsula, this beach is accessible by foot down a track, then onto one of the many sand dunes. But beware, it only takes five minutes to clamber down onto the beach below, but the steepish dune makes for a half hour trek back to the car park at the top. Some people have even managed to bring sleds and skis for an adrenalin rushing trip to the bottom. But try to carry that vehicle back up for another run?

Like so many ocean beaches on the peninsula, Sand fly bay is home to the very rare Yellow Eyed penguin, as well as the odd fur seal. I have my own theory on why Sand fly Bay got its name. There are no sand flies in the area, (a good thing for those who don’t like being eaten alive by the blood sucking insect) but the sand itself just flies in the wind.

  

Otago Peninsula

Named for Portobello on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, the two roads to Portobello afford pleasant views, and sceneries.  The harbourside road goes past suburban areas giving an insight to those people living beside the peaceful harbour, only to be interrupted by the traffic, shags and seagulls, or the odd ship making its way to the Upper Harbour, while the Highcliff road gives sweeping panoramic views of Otago Harbour and the seaward side of the peninsula.

At the end of the subsidiary peninsula of Portobello Peninsula, there is the Marine Aquarium, and is accessed by an unsealed road beside the general store at Portobello. This aquatic base uses reticulated sea water in its tanks, and is part of the University of Otago.

Portobello could also be used as a base for getting to the wild life areas of the peninsula, as it is centrally located, with a number of accommodations available.

I personally regard the Peninsula as a wildlife playground to Dunedin City

Otago peninsula

This place is on the ocean coast of Otago Peninsula, and is a good beach to stroll. This nice beach is easily accessible via Portobello.  Turn right at the garage, and arrive at Hoopers Inlet.  Then turn left, driving along the water's edge.  While cruising along the dusty road, it is a good idea for the passengers to look over the inlet, to the bird life, as they try to catch molluscs or just wade for the sake of it. Continue along the road until the end, where there is a shaded car park, (careful to lock up the car, and stow away valuables (your camera, you can take with you)) then a short walk to the beach, which is not suitable for swimming.  At low tide there is an access along the beach to a small cave, although it is very hard to see, unless one knows what he/she is looking for. Allans Beach is most probably the most accessible ocean beach on the peninsula, and like so many others, the beach is home to some fur seals, and yellow eyed penguins.

I have been there quite a few times, and just felt at one with nature, with the odd seal lazing on the sands.

Otago Peninsula

The main attraction at Otakou is the Maori reserve, and marae, but historically it was Otakou which gave birth to the name "Otago" as the early settlers had difficulty pronouncing the Maori name. I drive past there each time while on my way to Pilots Beach, and enjoy seeing those cribs, holiday homes and Maori homes.  But in reality the way to pronounce Otakou is almost exactly the same as Otago, except the harder ‘K’, as compared to the soft ‘G’. 

Otago is pronounced “oh Tah goh, Otakou is pronounced “oh tah k oh”

Otago Peninsula

A very pleasant destination for a day’s outing; Pilot’s Beach is really only a picnic spot, just before Taiaroa Head.  Tourists making their way to the Albatross colony come to check out the small beach to find fur seals at rest or play. The occasional Royal Albatross, which has colonized at the nearby Taiaroa Head, has been spotted from this beach.

 

Otago Harbour

The deep water port for Dunedin, Port Chalmers is situated in a sheltered bay.  Motorists and cruise ship passengers spend some time on Flagstaff Hill, overlooking the port as they watch the shipping. Historically Port Chalmers was a pioneering place, with early settlers stepping off the boats here, rather than Dunedin.

As it is a deep water port, importing and exporting produce, Port Chalmers have had a number of New Zealand firsts, the first being the suburb to which the first railway of the standard gauge ran. One of the original Fairlie locomotives "Josephine" is on display at the Dunedin Early Settlers Museum.

Port Chalmers has had a couple of maritime firsts as well, the first being the first shipment of frozen meat leaving on the sailing ship Dunedin. And in 1972 was the first port to incorporate the increasing container trade.

Nowadays plenty of container ships call in, as does some cruise ships in season.

Port Chalmers has a character of its own with a number of cottages and villas set on the hillsides of the peninsula. It is surrounded by creeper vines, right to the waters edge in some places, except for the small road surrounding the township.

2 kilometres from Port Chalmers

A fishing village two kilometres down the harbour from Port chalmers, and incorporated in the Port Chalmers township. Most of the cottages and villas on the hillside behind the bay give Careys Bay a character of its own. There were a couple of boat builders in the harbourside village.

End of Otago Harbour

Scene of mass murder by David Gray, and site of Aluminium smelter. (Now cancelled).

Aramoana is a popular seaside resort with excellent beach, and sea fishing.  It is located on the western shores of Otago Harbour, accessible by road from Port Chalmers. Near here is a natural sand spit, which gives shelter to many molluscs and bird life. A nice walk along this spit, one comes to a couple of old houses, and a small pier.

Dunedin City

Situated on a high coastal point overlooking St. Clair beach, sits ruins of a building which was home to Edward Bowes Cargill. Cargills Castle had become one of the important structures in Dunedin associated with the Cargill family. Now in ruins, this building can be easily seen if one travels towards the St. Clair Golf Course situated near Corstorphine. Head along the side of the golf course, (Isadore Road) until the end where there is a new subdivision. Macrocarpas which have previously blocked the view have recently been cleared away making the site a spectacle. A trust has been formed with the view of restoring the castle to its original splendour.

Prominent hill overlooking Dunedin

The physical feature of Mount Cargill is that it is a prominent landmark of Dunedin.  An access road is via Pine Hill, and once at the car park, one can walk the last kilometre or two via the A H Reed memorial track to the summit to a vista which is nothing short of spectacular. And the aroma of the atmosphere of 2000 feet above sea level!  From there one can see for miles, from the coastline of Waikouaiti. To the Nuggets area, past the mouths of the Clutha river, and the Rock and Pillar Range in the rear of Middlemarch.  I have been up the mountain side myself, when I was a CB radio operator, and got many contacts from further afield. Beware in the winter of ice falling off the television mast.

Dunedin city

A popular surfing beach and esplanade of Dunedin city.  There is a motel right on the waterfront, which gives uninterrupted views of the surfers as they skim the waves, for their thrills, spills and wipeouts!

Dunedin City

A beach and domain area of Dunedin city.  The combined St. Kilda and St Clair beaches covers over five kilometres and is a popular strolling beach, with citizens exercising their dogs. But the St. Clair esplanade is a complete dog free area except where marked, so take care! Beyond the houses which dorns the St, Clair area, there are numerous sports fields, stadiums etc. At John Wilson Drive, there are tea rooms with takeaways, and a live steam railway operating on some Sundays, taking passengers from St. Kilda to Moana Rua Road and return.

Driving along John Wilson Drive, one eventually arrives at Lawyer’s Head, where one can get great views of from Tomahawk Beach and its town of Ocean Grove, to Taieri Mouth in the south. Between this drive and Tomahawk, there are further sports fields, a golf course, and a camping ground. On Sundays, at Tahuna Park, an A & P showground, there is the car boot sale, where people sell unwanted goods. This is a great way to get cheap articles! Hey sellers, want to put your goods up for sale, and make a reasonable profit? Only five dollars will get you a space in the car boot sale.