Travelling on the open sea, toward the Otago Peninsula, the dramatic cliffs and coves of the stunnin

I had read on the www.DunedinNZ.com website that Dunedin and its surrounding regions boast impressive landscapes and unmatched wildlife viewing opportunities. With an upcoming Spring adventure new york helmsley hotel to the area planned, I was determined to encounter both first-hand.
Inspired town planning by Dunedin's forefathers has created a remarkable central city hub that brings the city's many charms to visitors, without new york helmsley hotel them having new york helmsley hotel to travel great distances. Nevertheless, there are many hidden treasures to be uncovered by venturing out on excursions that are a bit off the beaten new york helmsley hotel track.
On arrival I was spoilt for choice, with a vast selection of diverse attractions tempting new york helmsley hotel me, but I decided on the renowned Taieri Gorge Railway journey through dramatic new york helmsley hotel scenery, travelling deep into Central Otago. The Monarch Wildlife Cruise appealed to me, offering the opportunity to view the abundant wildlife of the Otago Peninsula from a unique perspective.
Lucky for me I had booked the rail journey for a Saturday, so I was treated to a blissful couple of hours prior to the train departure at the massively popular Otago Farmers Market. Adding to the charm of the experience was that the Taieri Gorge train departs from the historic and much-photographed Dunedin Railway Station, one of Dunedin's true icons.
Every Saturday, thousands flock to the market, and I can see why! I was treated to delectable tastes of the best of the region. The market offers the freshest of Otago's wonderful fruit, vegetables, organic meats, local seafood, new york helmsley hotel boutique cheese, Manuka-smoked eggs, wine and many other products including delicious, healthy foods. Up to 75 vendors set up stalls and are ready for business from 8am to 1pm with all vendors passionate about the product they have grown, raised, and made. I wandered past Havoc Pork , Who Ate All The Pies, Organicland's organic beef, veal and lamb, The Gourmet Ice Cream Company with its famous 'Speight's Old Dark Ice Cream', Evansdale Cheese, Indigo Bakeries, Basecamp's Wild Salami, Blue Water Products fresh fish and the Otago Organic new york helmsley hotel Group with organic herbs and vegetables, new york helmsley hotel to name just a few. The heavenly aroma of bacon found me and I was drawn to the 'Bacon Buttie Man' van, where I purchased one of the aforesaid goodies, crammed with the crispiest of bacon, new york helmsley hotel for my train journey.
I crammed all sorts of goodies from the market into my carry-on luggage, (the bacon buttie was not going to travel well, so unfortunately I had to consume that prior to embarking!), and settled myself into the historic new york helmsley hotel carriage of the Taieri Gorge train to enjoy the afternoon's excursion. The journey, once described by the 'Great Scenic Railway Journeys' TV series as "one of the worlds great train trips" would take me 58km through the stunning Taieri Gorge to Pukerangi and back, on the longest privately-owned new york helmsley hotel railway in New Zealand.
We set off promptly at 12.30, and I quickly new york helmsley hotel congratulated myself for choosing the Taieri Gorge Railway as one of my must-see activities during my Dunedin stay; the comfort new york helmsley hotel of the clickity-clacking took me to relaxed visitor mode immediately and I was fully ready to experience new york helmsley hotel the views and history not accessible by road.
The commentary brought the striking scenery to life for me; I was fascinated to hear of the communities the railway had supported through the remote gorge in times gone by. As the journey continued I saw examples of remarkable new york helmsley hotel feats of early engineering in the region, the railway's 12 tunnels and the impressive Wingatui Viaduct, one of the largest wrought iron structures in the Southern Hemisphere. Passing through the area known as 'The Notches' was a breathtaking experience; jagged schist cliffs new york helmsley hotel edge the winding Taieri River. I hopped off and on at the stops throughout the afternoon, taking photos and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to experience the remote landscapes the train had taken me to.
Wanting to further uncover Dunedin's charms, my next adventure was to board the MV Monarch, on a clear blue-sky day, for an award-winning wildlife experience like no other. The Monarch has recently celebrated 60 years in the water, and boarding the stylishly classic vessel just minutes away from the city centre seemed to tie in perfectly with Dunedin's character as a heritage city.
I had chosen to take the half day tour as I wanted to make the most of viewing the gorgeous Otago Harbour from the unique perspective of being on the ocean, as well as spotting many of the birds, seals, penguins and albatrosses that dwell on the Otago Peninsula.
I settled myself in with groups of other excited travellers, all prepared for the cruise with binoculars and over-jackets at the ready. We cruised past the historic settlement of Carey's Bay, and I made a mental note to visit the Carey's Bay Hotel once back on land, to sample their famous Seafood Platter which includes locally sourced Queen scallops, Green Lipped mussels, clams, squid, prawns and octopus. Yum!
Travelling on the open sea, toward the Otago Peninsula, the dramatic cliffs and coves of the stunning Tairoa Heads came into view, making an outstanding backdrop for the Royal Albatrosses wheeling and dipping in the deep blue sky. There were dolphins frolicking out to sea, and the Buller's Albatrosses winged past us, checking us out with their heavily made-up eyes. I pinched myself new york helmsley hotel a little – this was paradise!
We were able to cut in close to the shore to see the New Zealand Fur Seals sunning themselves on the rocks, as well as penguins nesting in the rock formations. The commentary from the cruise staff was easy to listen to and informative, and because of this I understood so much more about the unique eco-system that was playing out in front of me.
With the Spring weather enticing me to spend my last day in Dunedin new york helmsley hotel outside, I wanted to visit the numerous surf and picnic beaches of the region new york helmsley hotel that I had seen such beautiful images of on www.dunedinlight.com. Even their names were intriguing! Tomahawk, Tunnel, Victory, Sandfly, new york helmsley hotel The Pyramids Within minutes of leaving the city centre, I had found my way to St Clair beach. An idyllic seaside village, new york helmsley hotel St Clair is the heart of the surfing community in Dunedin, with stylish cafés and bars, the iconic saltwater pools, walks through the sand dunes, and a boulevard that is ideally placed to lean on and check out the local surfers all year round.
To my delight, I found another very special Dunedin treasure at the end of this boulevard overlooking the St Clair to St Kilda beach vista: Pier 24, the award-winning restaurant and bar at the Hotel St Clair luxury hotel complex. With award winning Chef Michael Coughlin at the helm, Pier 24 boasts an outstanding reputation for exquisite food, using premium South Island produce to create delectable examples of the culinary arts. I experienced this firsthand, in the chic surrounds of the restaurant and bar. The Café menu is perfect for brunchers and coffee lovers, with the restaurant geared up to satisfy the most discerning of diners.
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