Coastal and Central Otago

Our next stop on this whistle stop visit to New Zealand, is Coastal and Central Otago.  Hardworking Scottish and Chinese settlers flocked here during the gold rush, and remnants of their stone cottages and tailings dot the countryside.  Very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter, the region is now a pip fruit growing centre.  The city of Dunedin flourished and is one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.  Otago University is the oldest in the country with fine gothic architecture – and the influx of some 20,000 students creates a particular vitality.  Dunedins dramatic hills surround a long, natural harbour bordered by the Otago Peninsular, and home of the Worlds only mainland Albatross colony at Taiaroa Head.

·               Take a cruise up Otago Harbour

·               Visit the Albatross breeding colony at Taiaroa Head

·               Delve into the history of the Central Otago Gold rush

·               Travel the Taieri Gorge Railway through historic mining towns