Dunedin’s wild side
Every year during the Easter school holidays, Aotearoa’s wildlife capital, Ōtepoti, puts on Wild Dunedin: New Zealand Festival of Nature. With a programme as big as a blue whale, with everything from masquerades to tours, we picked out a few must-dos for this year’s fest.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
The festival takes flight at Tūhura Otago Museum with the official opening night, Up Late at the Museum. Though Ben Stiller won’t be on hand, this celebratory night at the museum does have fun things like live music, free mini-tours, crafts, refreshments, and the beauty of the galleries after hours.
LIFE’S A BALL
Ever wanted to live the fantasy of attending a grand ball at a castle? Well, now your Cinderella story can become a reality at the Wild Night Masquerade Ball at Larnach Castle. Don your nature-themed mask and outfit for the event, which also works as a fundraiser to support the endangered hoiho.
ARTISANS OF THE ALLEY
After last year’s success, the wild laneway pop-up market returns. The artisans of No Name Alley team up to make one-off products for the market with the same wild ingredient. Last year, it was hawthorn, but which foraged favourite will be turned into food, tonics, drinks, and treats this time around?
TREASURE ISLAND
Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Get the whole family out and about on Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua during the festival and they might find some treasures. Take the Port to Port Ferry across for the Island Treasure Hunt. Scoot past the boat wreck and traverse the island in search of loot.
FESTIVAL FEASTS
Wild Dunedin is almost about the feasts as much as the beasts. Special guest Fleur Sullivan of Fleur’s Place is hosting a three-course menu at Glenfalloch Restaurant using foraged ingredients. No.7 Balmac is back with its Garden to Plate multi-course dinner, while Tītī is holding a five-course Wild on the Menu degustation thanks to head chef Hannes Bareiter.
WILD FARES
During the festival, Dunedin’s wildlife tour operators work together, offering subsidised experiences that you’re unlikely to get at any other time of the year. Cruise along the harbour spotting native seabirds and sea lions, spy the enormous Northern Royal Albatross from the observation deck at Taiaroa Head, watch blue penguins emerge from the sea at dusk, or visit the rarest penguin species in the world, the hoiho. You’d be a silly seal not to!