Dunedin's excellent range of dining, entertainment and shopping opportunities comes as a surprise to some.

However, those in the know are well aware of the national award-winning restaurants, the varied live pub entertainment, colourful cafes and the great shopping - from small boutiques and designer stores to the spacious, multi-level Meridian Mall.

The city also boasts a lively theatre scene, from the Fortune Theatre, the world's southernmost professional theatre, to the Globe Theatre and Allen Hall. The Regent Theatre often stages international musicals and ballet while the Dunedin Town Hall's fabulous acoustics make symphony concerts a real treat.

Dunedin has its own boutique casino, housed in the historic Southern Cross Hotel, and if you prefer more passive entertainment there are several cinemas in the city centre.