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Society Colloquium

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4 – 6 December 2018 : University of Otago, Dunedin
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Excursions

On Wednesday afternoon, you have the opportunity to see a bit of Dunedin and to enjoy some of the beautiful local attractions. The main excursion will be a walk along the Pineapple Track up to Flagstaff, a prominent hill from which we will have marvellous views of the city, the harbour and the Otago peninsula (or, probably, experience terrible, cold wind, depending on the weather...).

At the registration desk you will be asked to register your interest for the Pineapple Track walk.

Alternatively, you could explore some attractions on your own. Several suggestions are given below.

Pineapple Track walk

The strange name of the track goes back to a tradition from the 1920s. A local grocer guided parties up a track in this area. At the top, he would provide tinned pineapples as a refreshment. For quite some time, many empty cans could be found in the area.

(Note that, since environmental pollution is no longer a trivial offence, we will not provide pineapples. Instead, everyone is invited to bring their own, eco-friendly, picnic!)

Some more things to do

Dunedin Botanic Garden

Have a stroll through the Dunedin Botanic Garden, New Zealand's oldest garden, established in 1863. It is located just 700 m from the University. Enjoy the rose and herb gardens, the heated Edwardian glass house, a duck pond, a Japanese garden, bush walks, a geographic plant collection, a small aviary (with a cockatoo that may kindly offer you to "have a cup of tea"), a native plant collection and an extensive rhododendron dell. Afterwards, you could relax in the Croque-o-dile Cafe.

Otago Museum

The Otago Museum is adjacent to the University campus. With over 480,000 visitors each year, it is one of the city's leading attractions. The galleries include: animal attic, maritime, nature, pacific cultures, people of the world, and tāngata whenua. There will also be a Special Exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of the museum. Moreover, the museum has a large tropical butterfly rainforest and the perpetual guardian planetarium - the first 3D planetarium in the southern hemisphere.

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

The Settlers Museum tells the story of the people of the Dunedin region. Its themed galleries feature interactive displays and trace the human history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the most recent arrivals.

Taieri Gorge and Seasider train ride

Departing from Dunedin's beautiful railway station, two scenic train rides are available. The Taieri Gorge Railway travels through the spectacular Taieri River Gorge, offering amazing views and gives a fascinating insight to the building of the railway line and life of those hardy pioneers. The Seasider travels along the picturesque Otago Harbour before traversing the cliff tops overlooking the dazzling Pacific Ocean.

Monarch cruise

The Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour is a half-day tour discovering the natural beauty and wildlife of the Otago Peninsula. The M. V. Monarch will bring you to Taiaroa Head, the only mainland nesting place of northern royal albatross in the world. An additional 90 min guided tour of the Penguin Place Conversation Reserve is available. (This can also be done separately, see below.)

Yellow-eyed penguin reserve

The Penguin Place Convervation Reserve is dedicated to helping the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin survive. In a guided 90 min tour you can learn about the conservation reserve, the issues the penguins are facing and visit the rehabilitation facility for penguins.

Royal Albatross Centre

Taiaroa Head is a headland at the end of the Otago Peninsula. The cape is home to a lighthouse and a colony of over 100 northern royal albatrosses. Come into the exclusive observatory of the Royal Albatross Centre to see these majestic birds, and learn fascinating insights from expert guides.

Speights Brewery

The Speight’s Tour is a fully guided tour around a historic working Brewery. You will see and touch some of the ingredients that go into making Speight’s beers, and find out how Speight’s became a legend not only in the south but right around the country. Even if you’re not a beer drinker, you’ll enjoy learning about the history of beer making and hear some of the yarns from years gone by.

More information