Why Go? Coastal Otago has attractions both urban and rural, off eringa chance to escape Queenstown’s crowds, party in the SouthIsland’s coolest city, and come face to face with the island’smost accessible wildlife.

Otago’s historic heart is Dunedin. With excellent bars,restaurants and cafes, it also hosts a vibrant student cultureand arts scene. From Dunedin’s stately Victorian train sta-tion, catch the famous Taieri Gorge Railway inland, and con-tinue further on the craggily scenic Otago Central Rail Trail.

Those seeking backcountry NZ can soak up historicClyde, atmospheric St Bathans and scenic, rustic Naseby. Forwildlife, head to the Otago Peninsula, where penguins, alba-tross, sea lions and seals are easily sighted. Seaside Oamaruhas a wonderful historic precinct, resident penguin coloniesand a quirky devotion to Steampunk culture.

Unhurried, and overfl owing with picturesque scenery,Otago is undeniably generous to explorers after somethinga little less intense.

When to Go February and March have settled, sunny weather (usually…),and the juicy appeal of fresh apricots, peaches and cherries.Take to two wheels on the Otago Central Rail Trail duringthe quieter months of May and December, or ride graciously into the past on a penny farthing bicycle at Oamaru’s Victo-rian Heritage Celebrations in November.

Dunedin & OtagoDunedin ......................... 535Otago Peninsula ...........546Cromwell ........................551Clyde ............................. 553Alexandra ......................554Alexandra to Palmerston ................... 555Alexandra to Dunedin .........................558Clutha District ..............558North Otago & Waitaki ..........................558Oamaru ......................... 559Waitaki Valley ................564Oamaru to Dunedin ......566

Best Places to Eat » Dunedin Farmers Market

(p 543 ) » Plato (p 541 ) » Riverstone Kitchen (p 562 ) » Fleur’s Place (p 566 ) » Mt Difficulty Wines (p 552 )

Best Places to Stay

» Arden Street House (p 540 ) » Kaimata Retreat (p 550 ) » Sublime Bed & Breakfast

(p 565 ) » The Church Mouse (p 556 )

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

534 534

(22km)QueenstownTo

(37km)To Invercargill

CatlinsTo The

O C E A NP A C I F I C

All Day Bay

S O U T H

Timaru

Ngapara

Seacliff

Hyde

Edendale

Chatto Creek

Middlemarch

Pukerangi

Portobello

Waitati

Outram

Mosgiel

Lauder

Becks

OphirOmakau

Wedderburn

St Bathans

WaipiataRanfurly

Dunback

Moeraki

Shag PointPalmerston

WaianakaruaKakanui

GlenavyDuntroon

KurowLake Waitaki

Otematata

Omarama

Tarras

BendigoMt PisaCardrona

TapanuiLawrence

Waihola

Wanaka

Cromwell

Milton

Alexandra

Roxburgh

Gore

Clinton

Kaitangata

BalcluthaMataura

FlatMacraes

Port ChalmersJunctionRaes

ForestBeaumont

Roc

k &

Pill

ar R

ange

Duns

tan R

ange

Hawkdun Range

RoxburghLake

Dam

Dunstan

Mahinerangi

WanakaHawea

AviemoreLake

Clyde

Lake

Lake BenmoreLakeLake

Lake

Waitaki Valley

BeachSt Clair

vis

Waitaki River

Mat

aura

Riv

erR

vN

e

Clutha River

Elephant Rocks

Rock Art SiteTakiroa Maori

Scenic ReserveManuka Gorge

PassDanseys

Lindis Pass

1

83

8

1

87

85

83

82

8

8

6

85

8

90

1

RailwayTaieri Gorge

Otago Harbour

DUNEDIN

Naseby

OamaruBannockburn

Clyde

Rail TrailOtago Central

Otago Peninsula

0 50 km0 30 miles

�1 Sampling local beers and gastronomic excellence in the cafes and restaurants of Dunedin (p 535 )�2 Discovering laid-back charm along the quiet northern shore of Otago Harbour (p 545 ) �3 Peering at penguins, admiring albatross and staring

at sea lions and fur seals on Otago Peninsula (p 547 )�4 Cycling through lonely vistas of brown and gold along the Otago Central Rail Trail (p 554 )�5 Tasting some of the planet’s best pinot noir amid the vine yards of Bannockburn (p 552 )

�6 Winding through gorges, alongside canyons and across tall viaducts on the snaking Taieri Gorge Railway (p 546 ) 7 Exploring NZ’s southern heritage in villages like Clyde (p 553 ) and Naseby (p 556 )8 Experiencing a heritage past and a Steampunk future in historic Oamaru (p 559 )

Dunedin & Otago Highlights