Manor House Backpackers

The Otago Peninsula is one of New Zealand's most renowned eco-tourism areas, it is unique and easily accessible.

There are unique opportunities to view a remarkable range of wildlife including Royal Albatross, rare Yellow-Eyed Penguins, Seals and Sealions, and many species of Water and Wading Birds.

The Peninsula is also home to Larnach Castle - The only one in New Zealand!

• Back to Nature Tours
• Larnach Castle
• Westpac Royal Albatross Centre
• NZ Marine Studies Centre & Aquarium
• Monarch Wildlife Cruises

Dunedin is home to some of New Zealand's unique tastes. Whether your guilty pleasure is luscious chocolate, or you're a proud connoisseur of Whisky, New Zealand Wine or Beer, something in Dunedin is sure to make your taste buds tingle. Dunedin also has a vibrant cafe culture and many fine restaurants.

The Otago Farmers Market is not to be missed on a Saturday morning - the freshest organic produce, coffee, and other goods.

• Cadbury World
• Speights Brewery
• Otago Farmers Market
• The Gourmet Ice Cream Co.

The Scarfies (university students) add a vibe to this historic city. 20,000+ strong, they are easy to spot, keep the locals on their toes and up to date on the latest fashion and food trends. The campus itself is beautiful and a must see - the Clocktower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.

• Otago University

This is the most relaxed central-city location in New Zealand. ‘No hurry no worries, mate’. There is an abundance of outdoor wining and dining in the Octagon, and all over town. The possibilities are endless.

Stop for a moment of Zen in the new and authentic Chinese Gardens, see a show, shop to your hearts delight, or take a leisurely stroll through the art galleries and museums.

You will soon see, Dunedin caters for all tastes.

• Dunedin Railway Station
• Chinese Gardens
• Otago Museum
• Otago Settlers Museum
• Dunedin Public Art Gallery
• Olveston

The Dunedin music scene is internationally recognised and is reflected in the number of venues catering to all tastes.

The fact that Dunedin has 20,000+ students (16% of the population) has ensured a pulsating nightlife. When coupled with a great range of cultural activities, whatever your taste is in entertainment - It's right here, right now.

• Regent Theatre - Musicals, Film festival events
• Fortune Theatre - Live plays performed in an intimate atmosphere
• University Lecture Theatres - Visiting speakers knowledgeable on a full range of international topics
• Movie Theatres - six main venues showing new releases, documentaries and old classics
• Pub Scene - Live Music, your choice of Jazz, Rock, Dance, Blues, Open Mic, Karaoke, Acoustic, Drum and Bass...
• Night Clubs - Dance until morning with live acts and house DJs
• Musicians Club - Once a week meetings - visitors welcome, bring your instrument!

New Zealand is famous for Rugby, our local Province is Otago. We have the International Super 14 Competition home games at Carisbrook - “The House of Pain” - fought out between teams from NZ, South Africa and Australia. International Rugby Tests also feature at Carisbrook. while, the domestic competition between Provinces also brings high quality entertainment.

Dunedin has an amazing diversity of sporting activities: rugby, soccer, tennis (indoor and outdoor), ice sports, bowls, beautiful golf courses, including Balmacewen, the oldest (1871) course in the Southern Hemisphere, and Chisholm Park a true links course. Netball, basketball, athletics, field hockey - the list goes on.

If you play a sport you will be welcome at any of the clubs - Dunedin is that sort of place!

• Rugby (Closest backpackers to Carisbrook)
• Surfing
• Horseback riding
• Golf
• Logan Park

Surrounding Central Dunedin is the ‘Town Belt’ - a woodland of unspoilt native bush. There are numerous day hikes and walks in the near-by hills: Mount Cargill, Organ Pipes, Grahams Bush, Silver Peaks, and Flagstaff/Pineapple are notable tracks, while just along the coast there are places like Tunnel Beach and the Chasm. Or take a walk along Dunedin's beautiful St. Clair/St. Kilda beaches. There's a walk catering for any standard of fitness and interest.

Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest street in the world and to survive a walk to the top is a must-do for most visitors.

The Dunedin Botanic Gardens, established in 1863 - the first in NZ, is beautiful in any season, but especially in November when the world-famous Rhododendron-Week is held.

• Botanic Garden
• Taieri Gorge Railway Journey (links with world famous Otago Central Rail Trail)

The most enduring memories travellers have of their international experience is not the places they have been, but the stand-out people they have met.

Dunedin is the home of “Real Kiwi Blokes and Sheilas”. The people here have time to talk and are interested in you and where you are from. If you take the time to meet the locals, you won't forget them!