Dunedin Stadium will host six group games. Photo credit: Damon Lillis.
Kia ora! Nau mai haere mai ki Ōtepoti.
Hello! Welcome to Dunedin.
Ōtepoti is hosting six group stage games during the World Cup, and if you’re planning on visiting there are a plethora of activities to keep you occupied when you’re not at a game. Read on to find out what to get up to, especially if you’re into wildlife.
Dunedin Stadium
Built for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Dunedin Stadium has hosted a variety of events. From rugby and football, to rodeo and concerts, Aotearoa’s only covered stadium is versatile. With a capacity of just over 24,000 for the World Cup, this is not the first major international tournament Dunedin Stadium has hosted. After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the stadium also hosted the 2015 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup. Outside of sport, the stadium has also been the venue for the likes of Elton John, P!nk, Queen, and Kendrick Lemar.
In an odd quirk, despite being built for the Rugby World Cup, football was the first sport to be played at Dunedin Stadium. Rugby was scheduled to be the first, but overnight snow meant the away team was unable to travel to Dunedin. This paved the way for a pre-season fixture between the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar to claim the honour of being the first event in the newly-built stadium.
Dunedin Stadium will host six group stage matches, and fans will feel like they are part of the action no matter where they are sitting. All of the stands are right on the edge of the pitch, and the steep rake of the North Stand makes it feel like you’re on top of the action even all the way at the back. The covered nature of the stadium gives consistent conditions, and allows for free-flowing, open play no matter the sport. While the stadium is covered, it is not entirely enclosed. This means you will need to wrap up warm as it is the middle of winter in Aotearoa.
Fixtures
Philippines v Switzerland (July 21).
Netherlands v Portugal (July 23).
Japan v Costa Rica (July 26).
Argentina v South Africa (July 28).
Switzerland v New Zealand (July 30).
Vietnam v Netherlands (August 1).
Ōtepoti Dunedin
Ōtepoti Dunedin is a city steeped in history, brimming with culture, and teeming with wildlife. New Zealand’s first city, Ōtepoti was first settled by Māori in the late 13th century and permanently settled by Europeans in the 1830s. With a population of about 130,000, Ōtepoti is Aotearoa’s seventh-largest city. The earliest European settlers were primarily Scottish, and the English name of the city comes from the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh. The city experienced a boom in the mid-19th century due to the discovery of gold inland from Ōtepoti. A large number of settlers arrived from China in search of the gold, and as such the city also has a strong Chinese influence.
Ōtepoti is home to Aotearoa’s first university, first daily newspaper, first medical school, and first public art gallery. Dunedin is a UNESCO City of Literature, due to its strong cultural history. A number of renowned poets have called Dunedin home, and the city was the birthplace of the Dunedin sound which heavily influenced grunge, indie, and alternative rock in Aotearoa.
Ōtepoti’s striking Renaissance Revival and Gothic Revival architecture have seen the Dunedin Railway Station become the second most photographed building in the southern hemisphere. The street layout of Dunedin was designed to mirror Edinburgh, which has led to some interesting streets – including the steepest street in the world, Baldwin St.
Things to do
If you’re keen on a bit of a walk, and you want to take in the city from above, Ōtepoti has a number of walking tracks. Signal Hill, Mount Cargill, and the Pineapple Track all lead to lookouts with spectacular views of the city and its surrounds.
Dunedin also features several world class beaches. Saint Clair and Saint Kilda are great beaches for a walk, while Tomahawk offers a bit more seclusion and calm. If you don’t mind a hike, Tunnel Beach has incredible views, but the walk back up the hill isn’t for the faint of heart. And if you’re really brave, you could take a dip – but speaking from experience you’ll come out absolutely frozen.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Ōtepoti Dunedin and Aotearoa, you can check out Tūhura Otago Museum or Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. The Public Art Gallery is handily located in the middle of town, and Dunedin has an extensive network of street art if that’s more your style. You can also just wander and take in the architecture of the city. The University of Otago, Dunedin Railway Station, First Church, and St Paul’s Cathedral are just a few spots worth taking in. If you have a car, you could also make your way to Larnach Castle which is Aotearoa’s only castle.
As a UNESCO City of Literature, Ōtepoti is constantly buzzing with arts and entertainment. Whether it’s music, theatre, comedy, dance, or poetry, you are bound to find something to take your fancy. Ōtepoti is also putting on a fan festival in the town hall. Located just off the Octagon, this will host viewing parties, as well as plenty of local entertainment.
Wildlife
If nature and wildlife are your passion, the Otago Peninsula is an absolute must do. The peninsula is home to the world’s rarest penguin, hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin); the world’s smallest penguin, kororā (little blue penguin); and the world’s rarest sea lion, pakeke (New Zealand sea lion). Taiaroa Head, at the tip of the peninsula is inhabited by toroa (Northern Royal albatross) at one of the only mainland breeding colonies of albatross in the world. These magnificent birds have a wingspan of up to three metres. Also commonly spotted around the peninsula are kekeno (New Zealand fur seal). If you’re lucky, you may also see any number of other animals including orca, whales, dolphins, and endless native birds.
Tours
You can try to see this wildlife in many ways. You could do it self-guided if you hire a car or are a keen cyclist. The Royal Albatross Centre is at Taiaroa Head which is about a 40 minute drive from the centre of town. Penguin Place is also located near the tip of the peninsula.
Alternatively, you could go on a tour. Monarch Wildlife Cruises offer a number of options to see the sights of the Otago Peninsula. You can jump on one of their cruises which will take you out of Otago Harbour and around Taiaroa Head – if you get lucky you may see an albatross in flight! If you have a car, they offer options to add tours at the Royal Albatross Centre and Penguin Place. They also offer a variety of bus tours if you don’t have a car, though these aren’t cheap. If you are willing to spend some money, untamedNZ will organise bespoke tours based on what you are most interested in, as well as having a range of pre-planned tours.
Places to eat
Ōtepoti is filled with a wide and wonderful range of places to eat and drink. Most of the city’s bars are located in the Octagon in the centre of town, or very nearby. Woof! is a super inclusive and friendly bar – on top of this they serve great food and cocktails. Just across the road is Pizza Bar who make incredible pizza and have a tasty selection of local beer, wine, cider, and cocktails.
Ōtepoti Dunedin has an abundance of cafes – and you will struggle to find a bad coffee. Vanguard Coffee Company roast their own beans. As well as a full cafe, they have a roastery on Vogel Street.
Modaks has a great alternative, funky vibe and they serve a great range of food. With a number of great vegetarian and vegan options, there’s something for everyone. Beam Me Up Bagels serve amazing bagels and do great coffee. They also have two locations – one in town and one in the north end of the city.
It may be the middle of winter, but Dunedin has two local ice cream shops that are a must visit. Patti’s and Cream hand roll their ice cream and have an impressive number of flavours. They have a scoop shop in Mornington – just up the hill from the centre of town. They also have a diner in the CBD – as well has ice cream they also serve burgers, sides, milkshakes, and bottomless coffee. Finally, they also have an ice cream van, which can often be found at Saint Clair beach. Gelato Junkie also make their own gelato, and with locations in the Octagon and in a mall you have many opportunities to try their wide range of flavours.
Ōtepoti Dunedin is full of activities and buzzing with excitement for the World Cup. Whether you’re into culture, history, food, or wildlife, there is plenty to do in and around the city.
Hei ākuanei! See you soon!
To read more Women’s World Cup related articles, click here.
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