Oh Lorde, what a perfect pad for a party!
Lorde is set to turn 21 as she kicks off her sold out New Zealand tour in Dunedin on Tuesday. And as someone who once turned 21 in Dunedin, I feel like I can offer some unsolicited advice. Don’t get drunk and then do a yardie. Trust me. It doesn’t end well.
Another tip for the rookie: don’t feel pressured to do a yard glass or
21 shots, just because some of your closest friends are yelling ‘‘scull’’.
Here are 21 things Lorde might like to do while in Dunedin. No pressure.
1. Go for a leisurely stroll down Castle St. Watch out for combustible couches, red cards and people yelling ‘‘scull’’.
2. Grab a tasting tray from Emerson’s as you soak in some rays from the sun.
3. Feeling refreshed, it’s time to run (or dance!) up the world’s steepest street, Baldwin St. Just don’t run down.
4. Time to go shopping. Dunedin is famous for black clothes, so how about something dark from fashion pioneers Nom*d?
5. What’s the time? Cheese roll time! Get a half dozen of the famous southern sushi from any quality cafe.
6. I know you have a sweet tooth, but I’m sure you are still angry about Cadbury withdrawing chocolate production from Dunedin. But don’t worry. We got you covered.
Try an icecream from student haunt, Rob Roy dairy. Or premium chocolate from OCHO.
7. ‘‘Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash. We don’t care, we aren’t caught up in your love affair,’’ you sung on your breakout hit Well, if you aren’t looking for those coveted items, then Dunedin is the city for you!
It’s New Zealand’s wildlife capital – think penguins, sea lions, and the dear old albatross. Head to the Otago Peninsula and get down with nature.
8. Because you are music royalty you deserve visit Larnach Castle. And it might be a cool location for your next video, plenty of room to dance on the lawn.
9. While you are on the peninsula why not let your hair down and surf down some sand dunes. Just don’t go in the water, Dunedin’s sharks have big teeth.
10. Right, we are almost halfway and you are knackered. Seize the day with a bacon buttie. Thank me later.
11. Grab a coffee from Jay at Daily Coffee Co on Princes St. The former Aucklander used to be a barista at a Devonport cafe your family frequented. I bet he remembers what you drink.
12. Princes St is a good place to start the street art tour of Dunedin. International artists flock to leave their mark on some of our grand old buildings. Someone give you a spray can.
13. It’s not all old buildings in Dunedin. We have a stadium. With a roof. Take that Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland. Go inside and see if someone will let you punt a ball around.
14. by the Beach Boys is one of your favourite tracks, so why not head to St Clair, hire a surfboard and sing the song while hanging 10. Gnarly.
15. Time to have a cruise with Monarch on Otago Harbour, spot some more wildlife (not students), and then see if the tour will drop you off at Aramoana for a walk along the mole. Watch out for seals.
16. Almost 2pm! Time to check into your luxury hotel. Or is that too cliche? You are in Dunedin, after all.
How about Hogwartz backpacker hostel.
Then with your new backpacker friends,roll down the hill and head to Speight’s for a brewery tour.
17. Time to go op-shopping for some new threads to wear to your show, I recommend the oversized jersey look. It’s a Dunedin thing.
18. Now some culture. Check out the Art Gallery, Otago Museum and Toitu Early Settlers Museum, do the writer’s walk and maybe chat with Dunedin Sound pioneers – David Kilgour, Martin Phillipps, Dr Graeme Downes, and Shayne Carter.
19. The Dunedin Town Hall is now filling up, and so should you. Time to eat some ‘‘Sky Prawns’’, aka cooked locusts, at Vault 21.
20. As this is Dunedin you need to learn the art of pre-loading before any party. Student magazine has good alcohol recommendations. Go for the information, stay for the cheap laughs.
21. The support act’s finished and it is time to take the stage. Gulp. Let’s hope no one surprises you with a yard glass! Once the concert’s over, head to the coast because Dunedin’s arranged something special for you. An aurora. Happy birthday!