Dunedin Cruises
At the head of one of New Zealand's loveliest harbors lies gracious, dignified Dunedin . It was envisioned by its Scottish founders as the "Edinburgh of the South." The city boasts a wealth of fine Victorian and Edwardian buildings complete with spires, gables and gargoyles. Its Scottish heritage is evoked in street names and the sturdy appeal of its handsome stone buildings. Dunedin's unique charm prompted one of its most famous visitors, Mark Twain, to write "The people here are Scots. They stopped here on their way to heaven, thinking they had arrived." Dunedin boasts the country&s only kilt maker and whisky distillery as well as a statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns in the heart of the city.
South Island&s second largest city after Christchurch, Dunedin prospered enormously after gold was discovered in Central Otago in the 1860s. This resulted in a golden era for architecture, culture and industry, making Dunedin soon become the wealthiest and most influential town in Victorian New Zealand.
Dunedin&s surroundings are renowned for their magnificent scenery and wildlife. Only a short distance away, the beautiful Otago Peninsula is unique in that it provides a breeding habitat for such rare birds as the royal albatross and yellow-eyed penguin. The biggest attraction is probably the albatross colony at Taiaroa Head. Nowhere else on the globe do these birds breed so close to human habitation. The colony can only be visited as part of a pre-arranged, guided tour.