Vertical Limits in Dunedin

Dunedin is New Zealand’s southernmost city and is known for its Scottish heritage, interesting architecture, having the oldest university in New Zealand, abundant pubs and cafes and a proximity to the Otago Peninsula (great for wildlife). This fascinating city can also lay claim to having the steepest street in the world!

Baldwin Street is the name and steep it most certainly is at 1:2.86. I’m guessing the local kids don’t play too many ball games. Either that or possibly their catching skills are second to none!

The annual Baldwin Street Gutbuster is part of our Dunedin Summer Festival programme and challenges particpants to test their fitness levels by running from bottom to top and back again. Seriously… only in New Zealand!!

This particular street proved of great interest to my Dad when he travelled to NZ a few years ago. Why? Because he’s a cyclist and was keen to test the theory that it’s too steep to cycle up. I'm still waiting for the outcome though, since never one to take the simple option, he hired a penny farthing for some cycling fun instead of the more conventional mountain bike. Funnily enough the owners were a little reluctant that their museum piece be used in such a way. There’s Kiwi blood pumping through his veins I’ve no doubt…

Sumner exploring

New Zealand is all about natural beaches, wildlife and space! Sumner beach, a suburb of Christchurch along the East coast, has it all. Its a day out for the whole family! Ok so yes there is a beach which runs into the estuary ( i wouldn't swim in the estuary if i was you...) where plenty of water activities thrive. Learn to windsurf in the shallow water or hire a canoe or kayak and take a peaceful paddle along the shore line, passing kids with sand buckets and locals walking their dogs.

The beach is scattered with huge rocks which create their own caves and rock pools when the tide is out. I loved climbing and exploring for hours when I was a wee lass, making homes for found creatures and finding hiding places from my brothers. One particularly large rock formation is infamously named Shag Rock. I believe it has something to do with the amount of shag BIRDS that inhabit the area.

Take a drive around the shore line on the main road into Sumner and Redcliffs and admire the huge properties towering above you on hillside, overlooking the bay. If you really want to get away, continue on over the hill to the just around the bay. There is a surfers paradise beach called Tailors Mistake. I only discovered this last year and its a real gem, complete with ancient  fisherman's huts built into the cliff side.

Lyttleton secrets

The historic Harbour town of Lyttelton has a quiet, country like feel to it, and is just 15 minutes drive through the tunnel from Christchurch. With one small main street and quirky shops and cafes, its known for its bohemian style and other creative types that live there. I love the arty feel to this place. Too much sea air does weird things to you I guess.

I could go on and on about the numerous funky cafes around New Zealand but the Lava bar and Volcano cafe (next door to each other) are fantastic to wind down in after a day strolling the hills and exploring Quail Island in the Harbour.The Lava bar has an upstairs courtyard to lounge in under hanging flowers and overgrown vines on a warm summers evening. It feels a bit like someones back garden but with better food. Downstairs is shared with the Volcano cafe and their main menu starts at 6pm. If you prefer, they have a BYO bottled wine license.

After your meal, waddle across the road to pop your head into the Wunder Bar - a must see for Lyttleton. Even if its just for one drink. They regularly have live music, where up and coming bands start out (including my brothers band!). Local artists display works on the low-lit walls amongst 1920s-50s memorabilia posters and weird and wacky sculptures made from old barbie dolls or farming equipment. Its very colourful and the staff are interesting...

Sign of the Kiwi

Being from Christchurch makes me slightly biased..but that also means I know some brilliant locations around this beautiful city I call home.  One of those is the Sign of the Kiwi. A historic site which was used by the settlers as a rest house and tearooms, still sits high up on the Port hills at the dividing point between Lyttelton and Christchurch. If you stand in the middle of the road (not recommended) you see on one side the sparse flatness of plains spread out before you and great mountains far into the distance, but turn to the other side, the salty sea air cuts your face as you scour the blue-green bay waters of Lyttelton Harbour with tiny houses dotted into hillsides.

The best way to see these views is by car, although there are still many fit examples that cycle and jog around the Port hills for kicks. Winding roads hug the summit, with many an opportunity for that essential postcard shot.

The Sign of the Kiwi put on a home style tea time with scones, cream and jam or freshly made club sandwiches with tea and are open 10-4 daily. But I always choose a goody goody gumdrops ice cream or banana thick shake!