This time my journey takes me to Victorian cities and to the end of New Zealand. It’s safe to say, that Dunedin didn’t disappoint.
Table of Contents
Oamaru
After I was spending time in one of the most beautiful places of New Zealand, the middle of the South Island, I was going back to the shore. My destination was Dunedin and the Victorian city of New Zealand, Oamaru was in between.
I never visited Great Britain, but the Victorian Era is always praises for their architecture. Therefore I was really looking forward to my small grasp. I left completely disappointed…
There is only one single street with authentic buildings of this era. The facade is completely faded and there’s no flair. Disappointed I was stepping in the car after 30 minutes, to continue my long way.
Dunedin
The Edinburgh of New Zealand, but after my experience in the morning, my expectations were low. But first the right pronunciation, the city was named after the old name of Edinburgh, Dun Edin.
After the dry Mackenzie region, you’ve entered the woods. It also was the first time, that I have seen agriculture vehicles on the road and grain mills in New Zealand. It’s safe to say, that the Otago region it important for agriculture.
Wie dem auch sei, in Dunedin gibt es zwei Hauptstraßen welche direkt durch die Stadt führen und das sind die raren Einwegstraßen. Das hat mich schon einmal positiv überrascht. Ich habe beim Thomas Burns Street Carpark übernachtet. Von 18 bis 8 Uhr keine Gebühren mit einer maximalen Parkdauer von 48h, für den ganzen Tag zahlt man auch nur 8 NZD (Stand: Jänner 2024). Dieser Parkplatz ist auch direkt bei der Hauptattraktion, der Bahnsteig von Dunedin.
Such a wonderful building. And look, the inner city has or had construction regulations, because most of the facades are in the same style. Naturally you still have to old historic buildings. This is a really beautiful city, in the night perhaps even more beautiful. The university campus is really big and provides plenty of opportunities. There’s a reason why Dunedin is called the university hub.
Larnach Castle
On the next day I was going to the Otago Peninsula for New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. But this was never the inhabit of a royal family. It was built from a successful banker William Larnach and was rediscovered from the Barker family.
Es ist kein allzu großes Schloss, aber man kann in jedem Raum eintreten und die Möbel sind größtenteils original. Es wird darum gebeten die Sachen trotzdem nicht zu berühren. Der Eintritt beträgt 45 NZD (Stand: Jänner 2024) und im Ballroom Café kann man sich zu fairen Preisen stärken. Die Preise im Astro Café beim Mt. John Observatory was more expensive.
The renovation must be extremely costly though, because the last floor is in a bad shape. But the ground and first floor are really nice the see.
Catlins
Now we arrived in the Southland of the South Island. The Catlins are famously know for various waterfalls and Nugget Point. In the morning I was travelling to Nugget Point Lighthouse. A solitude lighthouse surrounded from a beautiful scenery. Afterwards I tried my new ND filter at Purakaunui Falls. I still have to figure out the right settings, but the water has already the right effect.
To finish off this region I was going to the MacLean Falls. It says that it’s a 40 minute way to the falls, but I already returned after 20 minutes… But that’s not the point. Sadly it started to rain at the waterfalls and there were to many people anyways. Therefore my ND filter didn’t come to use.
Invercargill
Unplanned, I stayed the evening and night in Invercargill. It was never in my travel plans and I saw why. Everything besides the inner city is a hood. Whole of Bluff is a hood too. If you never intend to go to the Stewart Island, save your fuel. In Bluff I took a photo of the sign and afterwards checked-in for the ferry to Stewart Island.
Here you can find an extensive guide to the Rakiura Great Walk.
As always, you can view more pictures in the gallery.
