NEW ZEALAND’S capital of cool

Round out a ski holiday in Queenstown with a visit to New Zealand’s hippest city, Dunedin, writes Aleney de Winter.

What do you get when you fill a small city rammed with history and a gothicstyle urban landscape reminiscent of Edinburgh, with worldclass street art, a flair for fashion, an exceptional food and distillery scene, an abundance of rare wildlife and vistas that will leave jaws scraping the floor… and all just a few hours’ from Queenstown’s snowy slopes?

The answer is Dunedin, New Zealand’s capital of cool.

A destination of superlatives

Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula is a worldrenowned eco-tourism destination and home to some of the rarest and cutest wildlife around. It’s a haven for endangered species, such as the yellow-eyed penguin and the world’s only mainland breeding colony of royal northern albatross, little blue penguins, New Zealand sealions and more.

A day here will take you to remote and romantic beaches, quaint harbourside hamlets and New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, where you can enjoy high tea in the gardens or simply soak up the history and ambience.

Take a private night-sky tour you’ll never forget with Horizon Tours, where you’ll venture to the wild reaches and beaches of the peninsula as dusk falls. Sit back as the skies reveal an interstellar show of stars and often, the neon-liquid colours of the Aurora Australis. Sitting in comfort with antigravity chairs and blankets, you’ll be plied with refreshments and tales of the celestial bodies. These stories are woven through Māori legends and song.

If natural wonders are on your hitlist, there are around 25 beaches surrounding Dunedin city, including the spectacular Tunnel Beach, along with breathtaking natural treasures such as the startling, ancient volcanic formations of the Pyramids of Okia reserve.

A culture of creativity

A city of style and substance with a unique cultural edge, the majestic heritage buildings house a plethora of art galleries, award-winning museums and treasured second-hand bookstores.

But one need only walk the streets to soak up Dunedin’s dedication to art, as its walls double as a vibrant gallery of works by local and international street artists.

Dunedin’s culture of creativity also extends to its world-class fashion scene, with several of New Zealand’s most iconic fashion labels hailing from Dunedin.

So swap your ski gear for sartorial splendour among the city’s lauded boutiques and lust-worthy designer homewares, where the line between fashion and art blurs.

Boutique beauties

With its grand gothic architecture and spectacular scenery, Dunedin is a city like no other with boutique accommodation to match.

Inspired by the land, sea and sky that surrounds Dunedin, Ebb Dunedin is

New Zealand’s first modernist boutique hotel. The adult-oriented hotel’s 27 unique rooms and penthouse suite offer contemporary luxury. The artistically inclined will love its four-level atrium, resplendent as it is with themed artworks.

The elegant Fable Dunedin, originally constructed in 1862, offers

a bespoke boutique experience.

Think carefully curated hospitality and beautifully appointed five-star accommodation. Plus, a chic restaurant and bar augmented by artful details and contemporary touches.

Wine and dine

One of the brightest stars of New Zealand’s dining scene, Dunedin is spoiled for culinary choice. From flash degustation dining to funky cafes, an emerging boutique distillery scene and exceptional craft breweries, visitors should factor in plenty of time for epicurean exploration.

With five eateries on the latest Cuisine New Zealand Top 100 list and plenty of gorgeous food and drink destinations tucked away in grand buildings, hidden alleyways and thriving urban neighbourhoods, it’s a journey of dining discovery. A stop at the Saturday Otago Farmers’ Market is a must, but committed foodies should also make time to visit Bracken, Moiety, No. 7 Balmac, Nova, Prohibition Smokehouse, tītī, and the Press Club. dunedinnz.com

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