Dunedin - Home of the Worlds Steepest Street

I decided to spend 3 nights in Dunedin. We arrived in the afternoon and headed to the cinema to see a film called Tsotsi - critics had compared it to City of God but it was nothing like it.

The hostel we stayed in was really good Dunedin Central Backpackers - the owner was very friendly and the whole building was very modern.

Next day we walked out of town to see Baldwin Street the Worlds Steepest Street - it was very exiting there is even a special sign and gift shop at the bottom. We also saw a guy who runs up and down the street 60 times a day!! We walked to the top and got a few photos and that was enough excitement for one day.



In the afternoon we did the Elm Wildlife tour on the Otago Peninsula. However the start of this tour was a disaster as we drove around Dunedin twice as we had to change the bus as there were too many people booked on the tour. We then headed out to an Albatross sanctuary where we were told that there wern't any at this time of year however we still spent an hour there and they still gave us a talk all about them. Before the tour I had no desire to see an Albatross but after they built them up I really wanted to see one - rubbish!!

Fortunately after this the tour got a lot better. We left the bus and headed out on a walk on privately owned farmland down to a New Zealand fur seal colony.

Just look at this little fella:


After the seal colony we climbed back up the hill and headed down the other side to the beach. From the cliff top the guide had spotted a Southern Elephant Seal which are apparently really rare in the Otago area. So we headed right past loads of Sealions to try to get near the Elephant Seal. The photo doesn't really show the size to well as the sealion in the foreground is pretty big too, but the Elephant Seal was massive.


As we were trying to get a bit closer to the Elephant Seal the big Sealion started to move towards us so we had to get out of his way.

After the Elephant Seal headed back into the water we climbed around the side of some more cliffs where there were hides to watch the Yellow Eyed Penguins that were nesting there. It was strange to see the Penguins right next to the sheep (you'll probably have to zoom in to see them).


The Penguins had made their nests in any tree stump or hollow they could find. We even got to see one of the Penguins swimming in, crossing the beach and climbing the cliffs.


Our final stop was at the Sealions back down on the beach. The Sealions really weren't bothered by us and mostly looked up and then went back to sleep when they heard us.


After the tour we went for a Stone Grill. This is where the meat arrives on a hot stone slab and you cook it yourself. We then headed out into the city but everywhere was dead - it was supposed to be a lively place full of students but even in a pub right next to the Uni when we finally found some students it was bingo night.

Next day after a Simpsons marathon we headed out again. One of the girls in the hostel was meeting some friends who were locals so we headed out again hoping for a bit more of lively night. We had a good meal in the Speights Brewery Restaurant and went to some more bars. Unfortunately on the way we went to the World's Steepest Street again as some people hadn't seen it - unfortunately the driver did not listen to my protests so off we went - this time we got to drive up it - yes!!

Next morning we left Dunedin heading for Tekapo - our first stop of the morning was... yes you've guessed it World's Steepest Street (I really should read my Magic guide book more carefuly) - I stayed on the coach in protest!!