Dunedin, New Zealand Cruises

Dunedin, New Zealand Cruise Port

Dunedin was first home to the Maori, but then Scottish settlers developed a Free Church settlement here and quickly modeled the land after Edinburgh. Hence the name, as Dunedin is the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh. Dunedin’s population swelled in the 1860s when gold was discovered nearby. During this time, Dunedin became New Zealand’s only city. Though it’s now surpassed in population by Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, this city has continued to grow culturally. There are art galleries, theaters, choirs and dance groups galore. The city is also home to the oldest university in New Zealand, and its students make up a tenth of the population. Here are some things to see and do on your visit to Dunedin:

• Break a sweat walking up the world’s steepest street, Baldwin Street. Cyclists often attempt to pedal up, but few have ever claimed to accomplish the feat.
   
• Visit the Royal Albatross Colony where you can take a tour of the only mainland albatross nesting site in the world.
   
• Catch a rugby match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. The stadium was opened in 2011 when New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup.
   
• Visit the Olveston Historic Homestead, a former 35-room manor. You can tour this home, which was owned by the Theomin family and built between 1904 and 1907.