About Dunedin and the region
Dunedin is one of New Zealand's largest cities, with around 120,000 inhabitants. It is known as the "Student City" and has been a place of learning for 150 years. It is a centre for arts and culture and has some of the most beautiful architecture in the country.
History
The city was founded by British settlers of mainly Scottish origin in 1848. The name "Dunedin" is Gaelic for Edinburgh and the city shares many street names with the capital of Scotland.
A gold rush beginning in the 1860s brought an influx of people and wealth into the city, resulting in the construction of architecturally grand buildings and the establishment of the University and several schools, including St. Hilda's Collegiate.
Read more about Dunedin on the City Council website
'Student City'
The title of 'Student City' is well founded. The University of Otago (founded in 1869), Otago Polytechnic, the Dunedin College of Education and several smaller institutions attracting over 25,000 students to the city each year.
View the University of Otago web site
View the Otago Polytechnic web site
View the Dunedin College of Education web site
Arts, culture and entertainment
Dunedin is also a city of arts, culture and entertainment, with an added vibrancy gained from the arrival of many students each year:
- The recently refurbished City Art Gallery hosts exhibitions from around the world.
- A range of museums including the excellent and interactive Discovery Centre at the City Museum.
- A collection of theatres present a variety of shows and productions.
- The selection of cinemas shows everything from latest release to less well-known classic movies from around the world.
- A diverse artistic community promotes an attractive collection of independent galleries.
View the City Art Gallery website
View the City Museum website
Natural Beauty
Dunedin is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty beside the Otago Harbour, with its suburbs extending onto the peninsula and along some magnificent beaches.
The beaches of Dunedin are only a short journey from the city centre. They are popular for fishing, swimming, walking, running, and are rated amongst the best in New Zealand for surfing. This is St Clair beach, within easy reach of St. Hilda's.
The peninsula is home to a range of wildlife, including the only albatross colony in the southern hemisphere. The visitor centre based at the entrance to the peninsula organises trips to visit the colony, as well as opportunities to see local fur seals and the rare yellow-eyed penguins.
View the Otago peninsula web site
The Otago and Southland regions
Dunedin is the major city for all people living in the Otago and Southland regions of the South Island. It is an excellent base from which to visit the area, which is amongst the most beautiful and unspoilt regions of the world.
Read about Otago and Southland on the Pure NZ web site
