Dunedin is for Lovers

The Bowling Club, 337 South Road, Caversham

2023-03-16T08:16:00.001+13:00

Social venture and all-round feel-good community goodness.

Yes, doubled on the word good. Feeding a person for $4 is good. As a moter to three girls on a single salary, I don't get to feel genergous very often. I bought an extra meal and paid it forward. Good. You heard it here first (or like 7th because there's a lot of chat in this town)- A family of four plus and extra meal for a community member was $20. I think there are open 3 days this week. If we eat there everynight it'll be $60 (or $52 withouth the side of generositiy feeling-good feelies). When is the last time I went to buy dinner ingredients for a half a week in the double digits. So budget aside, I was a boarding school/hotel kid for the last two years of school and I lived in halls for my first year on uni. Now I live alone. Being able to eat, not only in a bustle but with my neighbourhood is switching on all the right brain juices.

And there is pudding. So we can eat cake in this ridiculous monetary climate.

So Bao, 369 George Street

2023-01-24T15:21:00.003+13:00

So Smashy, a cupcake and the guy who's trying to turn my youngest child into an evil genius walk into a bar...

Sounds like the outrageous opening of an average to lame joke but was actually a fairly regular Thursday night for The League of Extrodinary Noodle Consumers. More on Noodle Club, later.

If you want beautiful, delicious food served by a beautiful human- dine in at So Bao.

The former food truck has gone all old skool bricks and mortor since the pandemic and I am delighted to say they have bucked the post lockdown trends and appear to be thirving as a small, locally owned business. No doubts about why, either. The food is phenomenal.

One of the partners is so local that I taught him at the castle on the hill in 2005 and he still calls me Miss! Quality human then, and quality front of house 18 years later. And long time readers will know how I feel about exposed red brick:

Also art:

Bottom line: Order the broccoli if you're into brassica when you wine & dine at three sixty nine.

And the bao. Obv. As far as the League of Extrodinary Noodle Consumers, you'll have to wait for our next outing for further secrets and identities to be revealed. Also, we welcome any Noodle House recommendations! xAPB

Buster Greens, Knox Row, 466 George Street

2023-01-19T13:30:00.002+13:00

Ok. So, it's been a minute.

Scrolling through my IG feed once the tinder trail went cold, and what should roll into my eyeline but this:

Only it was the annotated version and you may have caught on that I am a sucker for words. Roasted pear? Hazelnut praline? Espresso creme (accent grave on the first 'e') fraiche? YES PLEASE.

So I dmed the pic to QD and she agreed we would go. To her credit, QD also suggested we go for a walk harbourside and it was the first time I have walked on the paved path from Vauxhall to Challis. The B&W Doggo loved it and all of the bikers were polite enough to either ring theirs not too aggressively in warning or just thank me when I stood left. Good boy, Doggo! Good girl, APB!

Harbourside!

We chin wagged and BWD tailed wagged until we had an appetite and then braved the road works around the Albany Street intersection to feed our faces.

This is just silly.

Problem: the menu looks too good and I got distracted (my signature move, for those of you who don't know me).

So I ended up ordering this delicious feast which was so tasty and made me feel smug all morning because it has kale in it...I'm pretty sure. Green leafery something, anyway.

Buster Greens: Crispy Cauli

Smug. Smug. Smug.

Then there was this fine piece of coffee art pointed out to me by my companion:

Phallic Flat white

I worked in boys education for over 15 years, I can't believe I almost missed this hilarity. (If you don't have friends who have the sense of humour of adolescent boys, you should get some. Thanks, QD!)

Bottom line about Buster Greens: Worth resurrecting the DIFL blog from its coma for!

💓💓💓💓

4 hearts out of 4! Will return with my single parent socialising ride or die for the brioche French toast and espresso martinis for a Saturday session, I think!

Sending you all the love in Dunedin.

xAPB

Timaru

2019-12-02T07:48:00.000+13:00

Timaru is for likes.

I have a soft spot for this, arugably, rough-around-the-edges town. I lived in the grand old JC Reilly building for about 6 weeks in early 2004 on teaching placement at Timaru Boys'. It's Tennebaum-esque faded glory might be the inspiration colour pallette for my next room. Or my current room. Grey, pink, flaked-off blue and more pink.

So the highlights for me in Timaru this trip include:

Caroline Bay: Great name. (Who was this Caroline?) Despite the port, the beach is amazing. Because of the port, the beach is interesting.

The Rose Garden: Smells good and looks pretty. Named after some guy it was gifted by...or for. World famous in Timaru, I'm sure but I can't remember. I can remember the name of my favourite rose. Charles Darwin: smell and plummage.

Sopheze on Stafford.: Terrible name. (Sorry, Soph.) Great atmosphere and jovial laughter you can hear from the street at 7am. A counter chick with VERY COOL hair and a barista who is kind of a babe, def in shape and very clearly a good guy who makes foreigners with accents feel welcome and waters his flowers outside the shop.

Fusion: Oddly, the starters came out after the mains but it was all delcious and the servers were quality humans who knew thier cookie textures and could have a laugh. The salt and pepper tofu was DELISH. As was the ceviche...with popcorn. Weird combo? Who am I to judge? Delicious. Decent cocktails too.

The Face of Peace: Cool dude with a face like a moon and hair like wings.

I haven't spoken to a Timaruvian who I haven't liked yet...though that guy who was clearly annoyed that as a pedestrian I thought had right of way, was a hard one to win over.

DIFL Score? 4 hearts out of 5. Will come again and not just because it's on the road to Chch but mostly because of that.

xAPB

Guy Williams, New Anthe...??? Theatre

2019-11-22T21:42:00.000+13:00

Guy Williams is RAD.

This guy has been visiting our livingroom on Thursday nights for years. Back in the day when TV was still a thing, we used to watch J&B with the teenager in the house. I was mildly amused but got most of my kicks from trying to get re-tweeted by Jono and Ben cast and staff. The teenager was always impressed when I was...and now this photo exists!!! Shame I'm not on twitter anymore.

Guy Williams used his platform for real discussions, a few insightful jabs and even managed to get a few laughs in his 55 minute show. Not bad, kid. Heartbreakingly good, actually.

We are all fucked but at least we can come together to laugh about, eh mate? Thanks for the joy. Shame I can't spell or pronoune the name of the new theatre which is like a back closet in the octagon. Kiwi ingenuity at its finest!

xAPB (aka Ms Canada)

Long Dog Cafe, Saint Clair Beach

2019-11-22T05:25:00.000+13:00

Long Dog Cafe is my favourite at the moment.

Message ends.

Just kidding!! Have you ever known me to cap my enthusiasm at just 9 words? Yeah, nah!

So first things first. Long Dog is at the beach!!! And you know how I feel about this beach?

Let's just say I feel good things about this beach. This beach I walk at EVER SINGLE SATURDAY MORNING and twice this past Wednesday.

Why would any one want to be anywhere else except on the other side of the pacific? I do not know.

Alas, I digress.

Back to Long Dog:

T makes the best flat white this side of South Dunedin. He's officially been promoted to my favourite barista since Manu left. Though arguably, Manu was less of a barista and more of a charm spinning world-traveller human magnet type.

The Bird Seed slice is out of this world. The only bird slice in the city worth eating in city after you've tried it. I could review other things but it would be a lie to say I don't almost aways get distracted by these two options. Though the macrons they has last week were DIVINE! I hope the lemon ones become a regular thing. Breakfast of champions.

While Long Dog's food and warmth and cool charm stand alone, we can't forget: location, location, location. Did you know you can order a flat white in a tin mug and sit next to the salt water pool and watch your kids not drown?

It's the best.

#moanapoolisdeadtome

Also, they have ice blocks just in case the queue at the Patti's and Cream truck is too long.

Long Dog's DIFL rating? 5 Hearts out of 5. Maybe even 6.

See you there on Saturday.

xAPB for DIFL

Ombrellitos, 8 Stafford Street

2018-12-05T09:48:00.000+13:00

Red brick! Multiple kombucha options. Fresh baking and fizzy water on tap?? I am basically living the dream at the newest edition to Dunedin's Creative District. and the ground floor of the Petridish.

I love the other coffee options around the corner like The Daily Coffee Co but Ombrellitos has the edge in one particular fact:

We cannot exist on coffee alone.

And man, does this crowd know how to feed people! $10 lunch specials, a cabinet full of tasty salads, giant open sandwich options and did I mention the table of fresh baking?? I think I did but, honestly, a little bit of butter and sugar goes a long way in 2018.

Smack bang in the middle on Dunedin's up and coming IT and Creative work hub, you'd think children wouldn't be welcome in the adult oriented work but it's like the grown up world suddenly accepts that part of adulting is parenting!! I have found a tribe of work hard, coffee hard and still ok to have a family people and I've got to say- I like the rules of this new world. An adult work world that isn't about suits and still about creating and making and doing well and getting paid in the world is the kind of adult I want to be.

And also I respect a barista who knows the importance to giving a 4YO both a pink and white marshmallow on the side.

-ab

Iyengar Yoga in Dunedin, 291 Stuart Street (KEC Building, 2nd Floor)

2018-06-30T17:07:00.000+12:00

Yoga.

Doesn't get old, right? Unfortunately, I do.

At some point between my perky early 20s, and knocking on the door of middle age, I fell off the flexibility wagon, can't name any current pop singers and just need a bit of quiet in my mind without any bloody notifications popping up. While there are a plethora of great yoga options in Dunedin, I am just at a point in my life where I need a role model who isn't 22 and on the precipice of life's experiences, choices and responsibilities. I need a yoga guru who isn't an Instagram star. I need someone real in my way that I am experiencing life. Only better than me. Calmer. Nicer. More experienced.

Enter Demelza.

Real Yoga for Real People is the catch cry. And I'm all in.

Demelza has created a space nestled in King Edward Court (at the opposite end of the 2nd floor from RASA) that simultaneously relaxes and doesn't set up unrealistic expectations. In a world of spa inspired self-care surrounded by stark white walls, this Iyengar Studio creates a warmth and welcome that holds no judgement and doesn't make me wonder when my last wax appointment was. The morning classes are bathed in sunlight and because Demelza has recently relocated from the North Island, the room is never cold.

Come as you are. Leave feeling better.

This body just got better and it has nothing to do with what I look like. Roll on the grey highlights if it brings with it the silver-lining of inner peace.

St Clair

2018-06-04T16:15:00.000+12:00

Dunedin winter looms and yet we still have one of the most stunning beach fronts in the country. June might not lend itself to sunbathing or much lifesaving in the South but it's still absolutely worht getting out and about on a Saturday morning to take in the scenic landscapes and get the blood moving. If you don't exercise enough, you'll freeze to death in winter. Surely that's a thing to love about Dunedin?

The St Clair poles are slowly being pulled out to sea and Second Beach continues to be closed due to land slips but new innovations near the beach are worth an explore. I'm falling behind in my posts but keep an eye out for the Coach House bakery on Ings Ave and art exhibitions at 92 Sandringham. Our wee city continues to punch above its weight, even in the dark days of winter.

The Grid moves to Mornington, Mailer Street

2018-04-26T21:32:00.003+12:00

Is Mornington getting cool? Here is a handy checklist you can apply to your own neighbourhood:

Big brick build reno? Check.
Exposed brick left? Check.
Fancy copper piping? Check.
Coffee roasting? Check.
A rainbow of travel cups? Check.

Bonus round:

Rock cover of the Cranberries' Zombie playing? Check.
Baristas who'd rather just be roasting? Check.

Hipsters love the look and gourmet tasting notes, but old school cool is business it for the craft and the hard labour, man. And there is not a novelty souvenir teaspoon or grandma tea cup and saucer in sight!

The Grid's new space is the kind of place I'd love to be sitting while banging out my first novel or my 1300th school report but you know what? I won't because the limited stool space and not quite uncomfortable perching height are both quietly motivating you to down that black liquid gold and get on with your days.

The message is clear: Loiterers & potential novelists are not needed to add to The Grid's atmosphere.

Cool. I can respect that. Cool does not care about my comfortable or second cup of coffee cash...because they know I'll be back tomorrow. Cool kids don't need to show you any extra affection to know you'll be back. Just ask, Sam.

Thanks for improving my neighborhood, GRID!! I bet my house's GV is already on the rise but I'm now less likely to sell than ever because this is walkable:

The Daily Coffee Co., 366a Princes Street

2018-04-26T19:48:00.000+12:00

South of the Octagon continues to get cooler. Nestled in between the old secondhand squalor store and the empty shop fronts, a marvelous little vision of light has popped up.

The Daily Coffee Co. is the definition of doing less, better. Best even. The atmosphere is clean and cheery and makes me wish my I had design tendencies more like Design*Sponge rather than Spongebob.

The number one passion of the proprietor is roasting and he even gave me a book about the specific Miller's style...but I gotta be honest...I got distracted by his nerd-babe glasses and this vision pictured below:

Yeah that's an iced flat white from the adult caffeine squishy machine!

This is dude is doing what he does well and to be frank there's nothing more attractive than this. I have always loved geeks and nerds for the whole capacity to love and be zealous about anything (coffee, books, styrofoam monster costumes) but then DOING SH*T WELL is next level.

Visionaries are impressive but then there's the Executors (exclusionaries? Is that a word? I feel like that's a word but the red wiggly line under it on my lappie suggests otherwise).

Anyhoo- the daily Coffee Co Dude in his cap and tatts is executing some kind of 90s sitcom dream with updates 2018 decor. That's pretty much the highest praise I can offer. I want to spend 30 minutes a week escaping to this caffeinated paradise or a could binge a whole day with the right company.

And in about 20 years, if he's gone to Welly (where all the good baristas retire to), we're gonna want to reboot this cafe.

Dead Souls Bookshop, 393 Princes Street

2017-12-29T12:45:00.000+13:00

On the outside, looking in.

The charm, the quality reading material, the ceiling!! So many reasons to visit Dead Souls Bookshop. Manned by a thoughtful, gentle seeming and witty fellow, this store would not look out of place on set in Stars Hallow. With great looking books! Not a copy of the Davinci Code or 50 Shades of Misogyny in sight! And there's a whole Physics section which doesn't even look boring.

The name and the location never appealled to me but luckily my husband's need to Russian Literature overode my bias and was delighted to enter the enchantment.

A labour of love

Dead Souls is the quirky, tidy, quintessential secondhand book store that librarians, English teachers and soft-hearted soldiers dream of owning one day on the other-side of having to deal with the uneducated public.

Walking distance to decent coffee, Toffs and Shop on Carroll. Worth a perusal. and def worth a destination trip south of the octagon.

This is part of the impressive ceiling

BOOKS!!! READING!!! PRETENDING TO READ!!! It's all cool and trendy for 2018.

The Black Forest Cafe, Naseby

2017-10-07T22:32:00.001+13:00

If Dunedin is for Lovers, Naseby is for friendly neighbours!

Drive up, drive wwwwwaaaaayyyyyyy up from Dunedin and park up next to the park surrounded by the giant pines with bunting hanging whimsically from the branches. Carry on to the Black Forest cafe and if you hit the Pink Palace (ideally, Naseby's future bean bag cinema) you've gone too far.

The Black Forest Cafe is not messing around. The coffee is spot on. Big city food and small town prices. Heavenly!! My newest favourite treat is a BFC invention- ginger creams!

And if you have a cup of tea, the tea cup and saucer will be classiest this side of the Cook Straight.

This was the payment for my girls who wanted to help sweep the cafe up at the end of the days. Yes- the amazing proprietors let my offspring pretend to be cafes owners and then paid them in the most darling biscuits I've ever seen. Also, there's a toy room with a giant tiger.

Dunedin, I'm sorry. I think I'm in love with Naseby.

Tasse, Mornington

2017-10-07T22:05:00.000+13:00

Holy Cow!! Milkshakes to ~~die~~ live for!!!! Mornington's newest cafe is not really that new but Tasse still news worthy. Shabby chic is not just am interior design motto it's a... no, it's really just the decor. Very sweet into you're into flaky white paint and floral patterns which I am about 4 times a year.

Totally decent cabinet including tasty corn fritters at a BARGAIN price of $6.5.

Life goal: To be a little old lady chilling here with my buddy and slurping on unicorn milkshakes. Oh yeah, you heard me right- UNICORN MILKSHAKES!

Sucks to be the lady in the maroon though because she's facing the parking lot view but perhaps she is so smitten with her companion's conversation skills that she hasn't noticed.

Strawberry.

Caramel.

Mmmm. And those are just the $4.5 mini options.

Taste Nature, 131 High Street

2017-10-02T21:00:00.000+13:00

Late to party, as always!! Taste Nature was a revelation for me on Thursday.

Revelation!!

Not only is there a shop that sells preservative free bacon (check you later, migraines), natural hair dye and chia seeds in bulk but there's an amazing cafe. Plunger coffee is available but nothing finicky. So if you like your milk professionally steamed, walk on. Or drink water like I did.

Free nuts!

The food is diverse and wholesome and just made me feel good. All the plant based ingredients are basically singing your name.

And then there's lemon slice.

The New Governor's, George Street

2017-10-02T06:46:00.000+13:00

My love for Governor's over the year is well documented: Back in 2010 Gov had been long established as a student and city institution and again in 2016 as cheap and cheerful cafe with North American tendencies towards texmex.

I love that this painting is part of the chattels. I'd buy it if I could

Governor's has always been rock solid but new owners (as of March, I think??) have officially changed the game for young families:

Yeah.

So while the prices has increased slightly, the peace and quiet of being able to finish a flat white while it is still hot is worth every cent. The cabinet food is delicious and significantly more affordable than the menu which is important when you have a family as large as mine. The kids' pancakes the price of UniPol cafe but I honestly do not care. Gov's is family run and isn't subsidized by fee paying uni students.

The view of Knox is suberb

Because who doesn't need a jar of pink feathers!?

See? Don't even know I'm here.

Diverse baby dolls!

I had the mushroom bagel for $9. My main man had a slice of $5 pizza. The sprogs had pancakes. One had the kids' order ($9) and we split an adult serve for the two littles ($12). I actually made eye contact with my husband for like 15 seconds before anybody cried.

A hot cup of coffee makes me love my kids so much more

Seriously, compare this photo to our last visit here. New ownership = New Lease on Parenthood

Local Artist: Sam Sharpe

2017-09-19T20:46:00.001+12:00

Sam Sharpe might be Dunedin's coolest up and coming pop artist!! And he's still affordable so buy a print (or two like I did) as a future investment because he's going to give Dick Frizzell a run for his money.

Sam's studio at the back of his NEV home is properly interesting: Colourful. Comfortable. Eclectic. I could have hung out there all afternoon and I sort of got the impression that Sam probably wouldn't have even minded much and might have even made me a coffee.

Obviously, Sam's getting a bit of press about his Jacindamania and StarDust prints but these iconic pieces are only the tip of the artistic iceberg. Bowie, the Dalai Lama, David Bain. Sam is interested in subjects that polarize Kiwis. Except of course his Patrick Gower prints- a guy who everyone respects! Amiright?

Next I want to see Sam the Weatherman! Or Peter Chin. I love Peter Chin. You reading this, Sam??

Hint, hint. Nudge, nudge.

An old boy of OBHS, Sam is another artist who was inspired by Sav in the castle on the hill, "It's not the size of your wand (or paintbrush), it's the magic you make..."

Sam makes plenty of aesthetic magic.

Mornington REPRESENT

2017-08-29T09:07:00.000+12:00

Mornington is a vastly overlooked and underrated suburb in Dunedin. Sunny, on the hill and about $200,000 cheaper than Maori Hill, two bumps over.

Surely the locals have all discovered the darling $10 posies at Fallow and Fox and know that Alto makes decent coffee and pots of tea but there's a new kid in town! Delectable Bites is a home owned creative talent and conveniently available at the local petrol station!

Buy local for Dad this week end!!

Cute little locally made gifts for Father's Day at the BP

Independent business and a certified kitchen!

Not a bad view for one of the "less desirable" suburbs on the hill!

New Love: Naseby

2017-07-21T16:18:00.001+12:00

Dunedin is for Lovers but where do lovers go away for the week end? Naseby!

A short drive 2000 metres above worry level and behold all of your seasonal desires which go unfulfilled in our grey, Gothic city.

Naseby is no secret to local Dunedinites or mountain bikers but, clearly, DIFL is late to the party. Less than 2 hours escape, all the historical charm of Arrowtown with none of spillover money from Qtown. I am a Naseby convert and I will evangelise its joys with a glint of zeal in my eye!

Six Reasons to jump in the car and head to Naseby today:

1. TREES! You know how I feel about trees.
2. The friendliest little cafe with big city food and little town prices: The Black Forest Cafe
3. Wide empty streets for aimless wandering and anxiety free toddler chasing.
4. A pub with welcoming locals, decent food and international travellers serving: The Ancient Briton
5. Swimming and fish in summer, ice skating and luging in winter.
6. Climate: Dry Cold, Dry Heat! Life is better dry.

Perfect night at the pub!

Black's Road Green Grocer, North Road, NEV

2017-06-12T20:53:00.000+12:00

There's a new kid in the Valley by an old name. Black's Road Green Grocer has changed hands a few times times in the last year and has landed in a safe creative pair!

Mmmm, soup. Winter's warm hug.

Gorgeous royal window display!

So many good local products!

The guy on the left is the Windy Farm milkman's
son and delivery guy and that milk is fatty fatty delicious!!

Hit of colour in winter.

Good quality produce. Tasty.

I'd so much rather give my cash to this guy
than toss more at the two NZ supermarket monopoly chains.

Beam Me Up Bagels, North Road

2017-06-12T20:08:00.001+12:00

Bagels. The final frontier of amazing American food, finally arrived in sunny ol' Dunedin. Beam Me Up Bagels has been hovering around the Otago Farmer's Market for years and have rightfully earned a place under a permanent roof with red brick walls.

hip counter

The trouble with hip young places is that I am too old and my children are too young to be on the curve of trends. Beam Me Up Bagels has probably been open for months...I tried to go in to get takeaway one late Saturday morning and was told politely by plaid wearing lumberjane that it would be a fitty minute wait.

15 minutes? No. 50.

That was not happening- so I politely declined and tried again early on a Friday morning. And man, was it worth a second shot!

The coffee looks bitter. It was not.
The bagel on the right is Mung the Merciless.

The menu will take you fitty minutes to read through and each line will make a different corner of your mouth gleek. Decisions will be difficult to make. However, the lumberjanes will be very supportive and helpful and not even too smug or judgemental when they are forced to admit they've only tried the tofu version.

Then you'll get to stare at some rustic looking bags of flour.

And yes, that is 3 different flavours of infused water.

Outdoor sink brings all the charm of rural NZ to your dining experience.

Highly recommend. Highly. But not on a Saturday if you were born before 1990.

North East Valley- where all the cool kids hang out

2017-06-12T19:37:00.000+12:00

NEV is cool. This is not news. The Northern Artery Collective, the World's Steepest Street and the hip young students have made this clear for years.

Just in case you missed it because you've recently moved down from Christchurch or if you're avoiding NEV while mourning the loss of Crusty Corner, this is a public service announcement.

New ownership, new lease on life!!!

New Op Shops!!

Meat. Sold by Germans. Awesome.

Dunedin is no London, no Paris and no Auckland (thank goodness!!) but unique neighbourhoods are alive and well in this small city. Flourishing even. So as always, DIFL encourages you to explore our own backyard, buy local and connect with the opportunities is our community.

Dunedin is for Art Lovers: Charlotte Dunn

2016-12-13T15:21:00.000+13:00

Charlotte Dunn is a fiercely creative mind who has been unleashing her art on Dunedin while completing her PhD in Classics at the University of Otago. If you want to know how to seize a power vacuum post-Alexander the-Great-style, this is your woman.

I feel really lucky to have stumbled across Ms Dunn (a.k.a Neon Needle) through Dunedin's Roller Derby scene. Her wry sense of humour and genuine good nature are a pleasure to be around and the vibe streams through her art. Colourful, punchy, original!!

Find her on Intagram:

For the plant head in your life

love the crocs

This one is mine! Flamingo love!

Buy local this Christmas!! Spread the cheer through our whole town.

St Clair Public Toilet Murals

2016-11-22T20:41:00.000+13:00

After years on living in this fine city, I've only just discovered this set of public toilets. Seriously, there needs to be DIFL's Public Toilet App. Super useful, eh? Out in public, suddenly need to wee or have a small potty-training child. Map style app. BOOM! Someone make that for me, will you?

Anyhoo- great murals:

Ladies

Lads

And a bills poster wall.

Enough happening for you?

Port Chalmers’ Maritime Museum

2016-11-22T11:50:00.003+13:00

Ahoy there, Salty Sea Dogs!

Just twenty minutes out from the Octagon at the end of a scenic road lies one of the city’s most underrated destinations.

Popping into Port’s Maritime Museum is definitely worth the drive and the gold coin donation. A truly old school Kiwi outfit, the curators are passionate about the collection and are so not bothered about the audience which is what I love about Dunedin culture. Do what you love and don’t worry if anyone else likes it! No greater recipe for success.

Ships in bottles, an old fashioned dive suit and a foot long harmonica are only a few of the treasures housed in original 1877 stone post office building. If this isn’t an excuse to let your kids dress up as pirates, I don’t know what is. So get your eye patches and fake beards out of the closet. The ship’s bunk room with dress up clothes is particularly good fun for the littles.

Tucked at the back of the museum is a viewing platform of the Port itself. Logging trucks, shipping containers and huge cranes will keep any kid (and Dad) captivated.

Follow up this cultural exploration with some classy cheese rolls at The Port Royale Café served with generous, triangle chunks of butter and a rich flat white. Wander up the high street.

Port Chalmers is a town of characters. Between Chicks Hotel, the road past the tunnel to Back Beach and the assortment of second-hand shops which yield no business hours, every trip out is a unique adventure never to be repeated. Port is a well-known safe haven for artists and alternative lifestylers who have rejected the big city smokes (ha ha) of Dunedin.

A short drive to a perfect family day out!