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Come young fresher, I’ll let you in on a little secret. The best thing about living in Dunedin actually has nothing to do with Dunedin at all. The real treat lies a bit to the West and a touch to the North of our fine city: the magically hot-in-summer, ski-perfect-in-winter, Lord-of-the-Rings fantasy land of Central Otago. The majority of you will probably never live closer to this seasonal paradise than while you’re a Scarfie. So if you’re lucky enough to have your own car, or you have a kind amigo that does, there is no better place to escape to. Flee over the hills and far away, to the gorgeous climes of Alexandra, Wanaka and Queenstown.



Getting out of the ghetto to Central need not be a repeat of that weird family camping holiday to Lake Hayes you had back in 2001. Going to Central Otago with friends is like spring break in Florida, even when it’s mid-winter. Wanaka and Queenstown are constantly abuzz, interchangeably with sunburnt European tourists (Dec-Mar) and seasoned ski bums who haven’t seen a summer since age 15 (May-Aug). The high sunshine hours and multitude of adventurous activities on offer mean people are generally ramped up on a super-fun cocktail of endorphins, adrenalin and Vitamin D, which makes for a great nightlife.



The beauty of Central Otago lies not only in its bigger towns though. Stop to smell the roses en route, in rural gems such as Roxburgh (Jimmy’s Pies, real fruit icecream – need I say more?), Clyde (there’s a big dam) and St Bathans (lakes as blue as the unblemished Central Otago sky above). Take photos, wear sunscreen, forget about university for the weekend.

Until the University of Otago listens to my advice and opens a Wanaka campus, the occasional excursion will have to do us for now. Enjoy.

Get there: in a car – nothing like a road trip to Central.
Do: appreciate the scenery and the sunshine.
Don’t: only visit Queenstown.
Eat: Fergburger, obviously.