Events

woodcut of cupid with bottles

We have tried to arrange a series of evening events to highlight some of the eighteenth-century treasures of Dunedin, and to provide opportunities for less formal discussions with each other. We have also scheduled in a free afternoon in order to allow visitors to explore some of Dunedin's history and sights. Details of those events are listed here, along with costs. Please indicate the events in which you wish to participate when you complete the registration form.

Tuesday Evening Reception

6:00-7:30 pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, on the Octagon — The Art Gallery has graciously agreed to present a display of works relevant to our conference theme, including portraits by Reynolds, Gainsborough and Romney. We'll have a chance to enjoy the exhibition as well as the marvellous architectural spaces of this building along with a glass of NZ wine and elegant conversation.University Central Library

Wednesday Evening Reception

6:00-7:30, Conference guests are invited to the opening of the University Special Collections exhibition, featuring selections from Dunedin's eighteenth-century holdings.

For those who are interested, we'll also offer a brief tour at 5:30 pm of the award-winning Library building, designed by the LA architects Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer and completed in 2001.

Options for Thursday Afternoon:

"Whalers, Jailers, Poets and More," a walking tour of central Dunedin looking at its Scottish heritage and including entry to the Otago Settlers' Museum $12/person.

Taieri Gorge Railway Trip impressive cuttings required to lay the tracks through the narrow gorge, with a few stops along the way and good beer available. See their website for full details. Group rate $54/person

Walking Tour of Dunedin Botanic Gardens, the oldest municipal gardens in NZ, and one of the most attractive. Walk led by Prof. Helen Leach of the Otago Univ. Dept. of Anthropology, an expert on garden history. No charge

Drive out Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, tour the castle and enjoy afternoon tea before returning to Dunedin. Group rate $45/person. Details about the Castle are on the web.

We've not included visits to the Albatross Colony because most of the birds will have departed by Easter. There are tours to see the yellow-eyed penguins as they return to roost at dusk, but you may prefer to see them in combination with a cruise up the harbour on the Monarch, a trip which requires more time than we've allotted on Thurday.

Thursday Conference Banquet

The conference banquet will be held in the University Staff Club. The meal includes wine and dessert and a full cash bar will be available; please indicate any dietary restrictions on the registration form. $50/person.

Friday Evening Concert

8 pm, Marama Hall, Otago University
Mr. Richard Nunns, an expert on pre-contact Maori music and indigenous instruments will perform selections of the sort of music that Cook and his crew may have heard in Aotearoa while Prof. Terence Dennis, a world-class pianist, will entertain us with European music such as Cook and Banks may have known from home.