Dunedin & the Otago Peninsula

Dunedin wears its Scottish heritage and student energy well, with grand old buildings, a chocolate factory and the world's steepest street. Just out of town, the Otago Peninsula is one of the best places in the country for wildlife: royal albatross, sea lions, fur seals and little penguins.

Camp near the city or out on the peninsula and spend your days spotting wildlife along the coast. Bring layers — the southern coast can be cool and blustery.

The peninsula road out to Taiaroa Head is narrow and hugs the harbour edge, so allow more time than the distance suggests. Royal albatross nest at the head — the only mainland colony in the world — and yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at several beaches in the evening. Dunedin itself is a student city with excellent coffee and the steepest residential street on earth, which is worth the walk up.