Enjoy the silence of the hills

Dunedin, a city on the hill

Let me take you down South to Dunedin. This small town – do I still need to specify that New Zealand’s towns do not beat records in terms of area and density? – was founded in 1848 by the Scots. It’s quite hard to miss this fact, which might seem trivial. Indeed, the name of the town is the Scottish name of Edinburgh (Dun Eden = “City on the Hill” or Dùn Èideann “Fort Edwin”). And so that everyone gets it, the two cities are twinned.

As I’m in a good mood today, let me give you a little information that will make you shine in society (or maybe not): Baldwin Street, the steepest street is in Dunedin. No doubt, it is indeed of a city on the hill (lol) .

The Otago Peninsula Coastal Road

Towns are nice but it’s definitely not the reason why millions of tourists come to New Zealand each year. Let’s go back on the road if you wish, but not too far! After 20 minutes by car, we arrive in the Otago peninsula, far from the little swarm of the town. It’s time to relax and enjoy the driving along the peninsula.

Can you hear it? This is silence.

Sandfly bay

Sandfly bay is the kind of places that makes you realize that not only mountains and hills but also beaches are gorgeous in New Zealand. Desert beaches will appeal to you with their turquoise sea and white sand. To me this is Pacific in all its splendour, if we skip the water temperature… Are you up for it or not?

Tunnel beach

A little bit down South, you will find one of the most famous beaches of the country. You can access the beautiful intimist beach from the sea-carved sandstone cliffs through a tunnel, built in 1870 on the initiative of John Cargill. One thing is sure, this guy knew how to please his sweet daughter.