About Dunedin
Sitting on the hills and valleys at the head of Otago Harbour, Dunedin is New Zealand's fifth largest city, with a population of 118,000 people. Its climate is generally temperate with warm summers and cool winters. While springtime can treat Dunedin residents to four seasons in one day, from November to April the weather is generally settled and mild. In December the average temperature ranges from 10 to 17°C (31 to 64°F).
Māori settlement in the area dates back to around 1100 AD. The city itself was founded by Scottish immigrants in the late 1840's and the discovery of gold in Otago in the 1860's saw Dunedin flourish as a trade and industrial centre, leaving a heritage of fine Victorian buildings. Today it's known mainly as a University town, with a student population of around 25,000, although two prominent industries feature as major tourist attractions: Speight's Brewery and Cadbury's chocolate factory.
A green belt of native bush runs along the city hills, while the Otago Peninsula and surrounding coastline are significant wildlife destinations featuring Fur seals, Hooker's sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins and Royal Albatross. The Peninsula is also home to the Portobello Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. The city, harbour and surrounding countryside offer visitors a range of high quality outdoor experiences, including but not limited to: surfing, sea kayaking, freshwater fishing, golf, mountain biking and hiking. Dunedin is also a gateway to the Central Otago lakes and wine country.
Dunedin's main thoroughfare George Street is home to a vibrant cafe and bar scene. The city's cultural mix and University population supports a thriving community of creative industries, including fashion, contemporary and classical music, film and television, pottery, and the visual arts. A number of music venues, The Fortune Theatre, City Art Gallery and Otago Museum are all within minutes of the central city.