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DUNEDIN-BASED HeadFirst Travel offers Dunedin residents the opportunity to explore some of the many gems the scenic South has to offer, owner Ralph Davies says.

Whether you want to walk desolate and rugged coastlines, visit lush native forests, or gaze at rare wildlife, HeadFirst Travel can be your passage to some of the region’s most beautiful spots, including the Otago Peninsula, the Catlins, Stewart Island, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Oamaru, and more.

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AT the Westpac Aquarium and University of Otago Marine Studies Centre, you don’t have to get wet to discover the diverse marine life of New Zealand’s Southern waters.

Having started as a government fishery and biological station in 1904, the Marine Studies Centre is the oldest marine science centre in New Zealand.

Click photo to enlarge Your guides: Elm Wildlife Tours manager Shaun Templeton (left) and general manager Brian Templeton

FATHER and son tour guides and conservationists Brian and Shaun Templeton, of Elm Wildlife Tours, believe they offer the best wildlifeviewing opportunities on the Otago Peninsula and want to encourage as many Dunedin residents as possible to judge for themselves.
    Elm Wildlife Tours general manager Brian Templeton has been offering peninsula tours for more than 18 years and holds the oldest marine mammal viewing permit on the peninsula.

Click photo to enlarge Caretaker of the land: Natures Wonders conservationist and owner Perry Reid

VISITORS to Natures Wonders on the Otago Peninsula should be prepared to see Dunedin in a whole new light, owner and conservationist Perry Reid says.

Click photo to enlarge Mount Crunchie: Cadbury World marketing manager Alex McIntosh

CADBURY World is just one of the many attractions which makes Dunedin such a great place to live, but few of its about 120,000 visitors a year come from the city, Cadbury World marketing manager Alex McIntosh says.
    ‘‘We’re definitely not getting as many locals as we’d like to but hopefully the [Tourism Dunedin] passport campaign encourages those who haven’t had the time or motivation to visit in the past to come out and see us.

Click photo to enlarge An unrivalled experience: Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours owner John Milburn

A CRUISE on Otago Harbour offers an unrivalled opportunity for wildlife viewing regardless of the weather, Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours owner John Milburn says.
    ‘‘There’s an irony with the weather that the more wintry it becomes the better the wildlife sightings typically get,’’ Mr Milburn said.
    ‘‘One of the challenges we face is letting people know that. Some people realise it, but most are still a bit reluctant to come out when it’s wet.’’

Click photo to enlarge Otago Settlers Museum director Linda Wigley with a George O’Brien water colour

OTAGO Settlers Museum director Linda Wigley firmly believes the museum’s strength lies in its focus on people.

‘‘We are very much a people’s museum,’’ Ms Wigley said.

‘‘We have a very strong social history collection, not just of items but the human stories behind them, and that people focus is very important — it’s what really enriches the collection.’’

Ms Wigley said the museum itself, as an institute dedicated to a city’s history and people, was not unique, but it did have one of New Zealand’s finest social history collections.

Click photo to enlarge Dunedin Public Art Gallery director Elizabeth Caldwell

THE Dunedin Public Art Gallery is a ‘‘very special’’ gallery, director Elizabeth Caldwell says.

Established in 1884, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery is the oldest gallery in New Zealand and will celebrate its 125th birthday later this year with a special collection hanging and a new gallery publication, Ms Caldwell said.

‘‘The Dunedin Public Art Gallery stands out in New Zealand.

‘‘I guess you can say we are the smallest big gallery among New Zealand’s main centres, but we enjoy an extraordinary history of patronage.’’

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THE ongoing redevelopment of facilities, introduction of new exhibits and experiences, and a personal relationship with its visitors are just some of the factors which make the Otago Museum one of the best in the world, Otago Museum director Shimrath Paul says.

While most museums would be ‘‘very happy’’ attracting 20 per cent of their local population through their doors, the Otago Museum enjoyed a huge patronage from its local community, Mr Paul said.

Click photo to enlarge Dunedin City Council Botanic Garden team leader Alan Matchett and Chinese Garden visitor services officer Summer Zhang

DESPITE misconceptions, Dunedin’s Chinese Garden is a ‘‘uniquely sited’’ asset intended for the enjoyment of everyone, Dunedin City Council Botanic Garden team leader Alan Matchett says.

‘‘There is this misconception that the Chinese Garden was intended for overseas visitors, but that is not the case, the garden is for everyone,’’ Mr Matchett said.

‘‘The idea came about during the city’s 150th anniversary, in 1998, as a way to recognise the contribution of the Chinese who came to Otago, and Dunedin, during the 1860s looking for gold.’’