Dunedin is the second-largest city of New Zealand's South Island. It is the main city of Otago Region. However, Dunedin is one of the four major cities of New Zealand because of its cultural, historic and geographic richness. Urban area of Dunedin spreads over the central-eastern coast of Otago and surrounding the area along head of Otago Harbour. Otago Harbour and hills surrounding Dunedin show history of an extinct volcano. Dunedin city suburbs extend out towards the surrounding hills and valleys, onto the headland of the Otago Peninsula, then reaching and along the sea sides of the Otago Harbor as well as the Pacific Ocean.
Dunedin is famous for its higher education systems and world known University of Otago is part of this city, established back in 1869 and the multidiscipline Otago Polytechnic. Dunedin accounts for a rich history in the arts. To make art to be freely available for everybody to enjoy, surprisingly the city is heading towards embracing street art where there are several blank walls currently transformed into artwork done by international and local artists.
The visitors experience these vibrant and whimsical artworks along the Dunedin Street Art trail while exploring the historic and creative centers around the south of the central city. Presently Dunedin has 25 walls while the invigorating walk takes approximately 75 minutes to complete.
Dunedin has several art galleries for the enthusiastic people to quench their thirst for art and knowledge. The Reed Gallery has several books and ephemera that can be categorized as precious or rare and the gallery management keeps changing the selection of materials allowing the visitors to experience rich Heritage Collections, fiction and art works, illuminated medieval manuscripts, early maps of Dunedin, Maori resources, rich genealogical resources, and books etc. One can also enjoy the collections of works by the legend Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson. These exhibitions change approximately every four months.
Other places to visit are The Hocken Gallery having around 15,000 artworks. Dunedin Public Art Gallery exhibits the oldest public art collection from New Zealand. Chris Idour is famous for designing jewelry specializing in wedding and engagement rings and remodeling. Gallery De Novo exhibits excellent quality original works in painting, pencil work, photography and mixed media. Ann Culy also has exhibition spaces for jewelry being an outlet for 30 jewelers. Milford Galleries and Mint Gallery are also worth visiting for same reason.