Dunedin developing into true tourist hub
Once upon a time in a city (kind of) far, far away, Dunedin adopted the slogan ‘‘it’s all right here’’.
And while many things were indeed located in the city, a decent slogan was much harder to find.
Dunedin is now simply known as ‘‘Dunedin’’ on the signs featuring black, gothic font that greet you at the city’s ample boundaries.
It is a subtle shift, but an important one showing the southern city’s growing success in recent years.
Visitors can see that change in the development of the historic warehouse precinct, the burgeoning street art scene, and the new cafes and bars popping up around the CBD.
Change is in the air.
It’s partly driven by the opening of Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2011, which attracted fierce opposition from opponents.
Fast forward seven years and the city hosted almost its own population (120,000) in fans attending three Ed Sheeran concerts this Easter.
In a strange twist of fate, the concerts coincided with the closure of the Cadbury chocolate factory and the loss of 350 jobs.
It also follows major manufacturing job losses at Hillside Engineering and Fisher and Paykel.
Yet in a nod to the changing face of Dunedin, Mondelez – the global food multinational that bought Cadbury in a hostile takeover – has decided to retain the popular Cadbury World tourism attraction.
The venture brings in more than 120,000 visitors a year on its own, in a city already rich in visitor attractions.
There are paid attractions like Larnach Castle, the Albatross Centre, Speight’s brewery, Taieri Gorge Railway and the historic home of Olveston. There are also free attractions: Tunnel Beach, Baldwin St (the world’s steepest residential street), museums and the city’s art gallery.
Visitors can take a selfie next to the Ed Sheeran mural – or not. Join the penguins and seals and take a dip at the frigid St Clair Beach. Or not.
Roll-up to the newly opened Cannabis Museum, or check out the names of flats and go looking for shoes thrown over powerlines in the student quarter.
They can head to the Otago Museum and go straight to the popular Animal Attic. There you can see the famous lions shot after escaping from a circus at Lawrence. Or a whale’s eye in a jar. Or a rat king. Thank me later.
Dunedin is as weird and wonderful as you want it to be. And after exploring the city you’ve earned that pint of Emerson’s and the chance to ponder your own Dunedin slogan.
After all, it’s all right here.
"Dunedin is as weird and wonderful as you want it to be."