Sun, 8th Mar, 2026 (part2) Rest area near Shag Point to 48hr RV Thomas Burns Street carpark, Dunedin, NZ (exploring Dunedin)

Up and down hills heading into misty low clouds. Dunedin comes into view as we head down the range.

Aah - traffic! Steve got to check out this trike as we headed into town.

Along to the railway station and up and over the overpass then down the other side of the railway station to Thomas Burns Street carpark when you can freedom camp for 48 hours. We went to the back corner.

Looking back along all the other campers in the free camp area - workers park on the other side.

Up the pedestrian overpass over the rail lines to the station - impressive building. Bit of history and not so nice graffiti too.

Still a bit bleak outside but the station is still spectacular and one of the most photographed buildings in NZ. We headed inside.

We are booked on a train trip tomorrow up Taieri Gorge. Lady said all good, be here by 9am. We will be going over that viaduct.

Wandered out to the platform and met another penguin.

Back inside and up the beautiful stairs - all tiled with the NZR logo. Lovely stained-glass windows. The Dunedin Railway Station was opened in 1906. It is known as ‘Gingerbread House’ due to its dark basalt and light Oamaru stone with a 37m high tower. There are nearly 750,000 Minton tiles on the floor.

I was looking for a history walking tour map but there was only an art gallery. The lady let me take a photograph of this map and her copy of the town map.

Back outside to try and get a photo of the whole of the station.

Nice building across the street which I had to cross to get a photo of the station. Hopefully tomorrow will be brighter and I can get a better photo.

Wandered up Stuart Street to the Information Centre. The Town Hall is being restored.

I enquired about the drive through the Catlins - all good and I got a good map too. The sun is out now so it is nice and warm so we could take our jumpers off.

Up the steps of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral (1918). Just a quick peek inside.

Nearby was a monument to Robert Burns - I learnt about him as we went with Mum & Dad to the Robbie Burns nights in Cairns and when I made my debut with the Scottish Society.

Steve was very interested in this bike. We should have hired it for a ride around town.

Around to the First Church of Otago (1848) where there was a plaque for Robert Burn’s nephew, Rev Thomas Burns. Impressive building. I will be seeing a lot more and much older buildings when I get to UK in August but these are impressive too.

Continued down the hillside and spotted this plaque on the rock wall.

Lots of interesting buildings as we wandered along down to Queens Gardens.

This monument was built in memory of the founder of this Settlement, Captain William Cargill who landed with the first settlers on 23^rd March, 1848. Plaque about the Salvation Army on it too. Lots of interesting ‘characters’ on it.

This area was called The Exchange after the Stock Exchange building here. You can see the monument in the picture.

Check out the fire escape ladders on this building.

Checked out the Chinese park.

Headed to the 1939 NZ Railway workshop building which is part of the huge Settlers Museum - free entry too. A few pictures on the walls as we head around to the entrance. Kindergarten children in 1919.

Information about the Museum - the new entrance is further along in a modern building.

As we walked inside we saw a big train engine, Josephine.

So much to see and read - well presented.

The next building houses lots of vehicles.

Found Steve again in the Departure Lounge which was the Bus Depot in that building we passed before that said NZ Railway garage.

Low cloud again and cold when we came back out. Another couple of buildings being restored across the road. The second one is the old prison (1896).

Walked back towards the railway station and found another engine in a glass room.

I love all the workmanship that went into these buildings.

Back over the railway line to head back to the camper. There is a train at the station.

As we headed back to the camper we spotted one of the carriages we will be going on tomorrow.

Just got a cuppa and put up our feet when the rain came down. 18 degrees outside now. Our route for today.

Watched the antics of other travellers moving their campers and others trying to find a spot to park up for the night. Glad we parked up early.

Dinner then a game of cards with the heater on.