Dunedin: Dunedain without the 'a'.

Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island, which isn't saying that much really - with around 120,000 inhabitants, our population is less than that of Fusagasugá, Colombia. However, Dunedin has repeatedly proven itself to be a subject of both national significance and international interest. So what is it that makes Dunedin so special? The city boasts several important landmarks, including a beautiful railway station, and it was once the capital city of New Zealand because of its thriving economy. However, I believe that the true tourist attraction is the natural area of Dunedin itself.

Dunedin lies on the Otago Peninsula, a volcanic remnant which plays host to various rare species of wildlife. There have been dolphin sightings, seals, penguins, various rare birds, and there's even an albatross colony! I'm originally from Holland, where the most exotic animal you could find was an extremely large cow, so this was the equivalent of stumbling into the Garden of Eden for me.
Surrounded by thick forests and dozens of walking tracks wherever you turn, any real eco-tourist wouldn't think twice about staying here. For anyone wanting to enjoy unmatched scenery, Dunedin can provide a truly extraordinary experience.

Less discerning holiday-makers, perhaps those with families in tow, will be looking for a more relaxed time.
Parents who are sick of hearing "Are we there yet?" on the way to the beach will breathe a sigh of relief when they realise that wherever they are in Dunedin, it will never take more than 15 minutes to be 'there'.
The beaches surrounding the Dunedin area are so vast and numerous that even in the middle of Summer, you could find your very own spot in the sand.

The first time I went to St. Clair beach in Dunedin, I felt like I was trapped in one of the more bizarre Twilight Zone episodes. The weather was nice, the beach was perfect, and there was a slight breeze which dispelled the heat.
There were three other people on the beach.
I was convinced that there must have been some kind of nuclear holocaust. Maybe the water was rife with swimming bears, and everyone had fled in terror. Maybe, just maybe, my many attempts to enter The Matrix had finally paid off? Like the majority of visitors to Dunedin (and perhaps New Zealand as a whole), I was shocked. Pleasantly shocked.

In summer, Dunedin's climate can be close to perfect.
Usually we can expect long hours of sun, with temperatures rarely reaching uncomfortable proportions. The Winter, however, often makes up for this.
Dunedin freezes. A lot. It's not the good kind of freezing either; the kind that makes you curl up next to a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate in your hand.
This is the kind of freezing that solidifies the hot chocolate, and renders you largely immobile for at least two months. Self-diagnosed frostbite is extremely prominent among local hypochondriacs, and throughout our long winter nights the sound of weeping children can be easily identified. This makes mid-winter Dunedin a prime holiday destination for both masochists and snow enthusiasts. Incredible landscapes are often added to with a touch of snow, enabling you to take a panorama photo, send it back to your relatives overseas, and pretend you're in Scandinavia.

On the whole, Dunedin is an unmissable place to visit. It's one of very few holiday destinations that can provide you with Mediterranean beaches in summer, ski-slopes in winter, and exclusive flora and fauna every single day of the year.
Whatever you're looking for in your New Zealand experience, there is a good chance that Dunedin will offer it to you.

P.S.: We also have a brewery.