Summer Dunedin Rental Van Trip Destinations

Monday, January 20th, 2014

Read about 'Summer Dunedin Rental Van Trip Destinations' on USAVE, the place for all things car rental.

During summer, Dunedin benefits from long hours of sunshine thanks to it being the southernmost city in New Zealand. That means it’s the perfect time for day trips, allowing you to cover much greater distances in the time available. Pile up with friends and family in a Dunedin rental van to cut down on petrol and rental costs, and to share the hard work of driving. There are some fantastic locations nearby for you to explore.

The location of the only Albatross colony on the mainland, the Taiaroa Head Albatross Centre is a charitable trust dedicating to protecting these special birds and promoting the welfare and awareness of the environment they live in.  As a nature reserve, the place offers walks that will take you near to the birds themselves, and in nesting seasons you may even be able to see chicks. There’s also a cafe and souvenirs for a pitstop on your journey.

Many people know of the famous Larnach Castle, but there’s another historic building full of grandeur that’s well worth the visit. Built in the early 1900’s, it’s a perfectly preserved time capsule that gives you a glimpse into the life of the Dunedin businessman David Theomin. Having been since gifted to the public, it’s filled with antique furniture and trimmings, and surrounded by expansive landscaped grounds. There are hour-long guided tours that take you through the house, and booking is highly recommended as only 15 people at a time may enter.

The Taieri Gorge Railway is a functioning historic train line that runs through picturesque mountain valley scenery. Constructed over 100 years ago, it’s a testament to the old mining history of the area and offers commentary on the land. There’s a return journey with a stop to explore Pukerangi or Middlemarch, or you can cycle back.

You may even want to go as far north as the small coastal town of Oamaru, which is home to a steampunk museum along with fun artistic cafes and galleries. It’s a scenic drive along the coastline, and there are many opportunities to explore the beaches and peninsulas along the way.

Dunedin offers many day trip opportunities, particularly for those with an interest in history.

 

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