Why go to Mitchell’s Cottage? The barren earth and extreme shifts in temperature made Central Otago a tough place to survive. They didn’t have heat pumps and under floor heating back in the late 1800s / early 1900s, a fact I learned on my recent visit to Mitchell’s Cottage. This

This beach, split into three sections (St Clair Beach, Middle Beach and St Kilda Beach) is one of the best inner-city beaches in New Zealand. Dunedin, and its surrounds, is home to so many great beaches and this one is the easiest to access, making it ideal for people who

Tunnel Beach, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and a rocky coastline, is one of Dunedin’s most iconic sights. The steps leading down to the beach were commissioned by William Cargill way back in 1870s so his family could frolic in the tropical water (or not, this is Dunedin after all). The

Why go to Butchers Dam / Flat Top Hill? The Flat Top Hill Natural Reserve is home to a series of easy, off the beaten path hiking trails close to Alexandra which take in some awesome views over the Roxburgh Gorge and Butchers Dam. If you’re travelling through Central Otago I highly

One of only two castles in New Zealand, Cargill’s Castle is a unique (and very rundown) piece of local history. It’s officially off limits, but you can sneak in or you can choose to view it from the street. The castle is derelict to say the least — it looks

Brighton Beach, located 20 km south of Dunedin city, is actually made up of several bays and beaches. Together they form one of Dunedin’s best coastal destinations, where you can walk along the sand for miles without seeing anyone, surf the world class waves or watch dramatic sunsets. What to see