We thought we would put together a couple of little inner conference suggestions for you to cherry pick activities and venues from, and hopefully get a little Southland holiday in your working week. Here are some walking options to get the blood pumping (or casually flowing).
Nothing is nicer than starting the day with a walk. Doesn’t need to be a brisk arm swinging, heart palpating walk, (although it could be). You might prefer a leisurely stroll to blow away the cobwebs and allow you to enjoy the fabulous scenery that Dunedin offers. So start one of your mornings with a walk along St Clair Beach. You can stand on St Clair Beach, looking out onto the ocean knowing that this is the gateway to the Antarctic. Stroll along the white sand, accompanied by the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach, whilst you mull over your day, the beauty of this southerly place, or fantasise about just how good your coffee is going to be - as this is where we’ll lead you next.
If however, you’re staying in Dunedin’s northern suburbs, don’t despair that it’s a bit of a hike to get to St Clair beach, take yourself to Ross Creek Reserve instead. The reservoir and dam were completed in 1867 and it’s the oldest water supply reservoir still in use in this country.
There are several different route options across a range of exertion levels. From a gentle circuit beside the Ross Creek Reservoir to more extensive walks along the numerous trails marked out in the reserve. There is a beautiful waterfall which falls 20 metres into School Creek, along with an orienteering course, a picturesque jetty into the reservoir itself and lots of glorious native bush alive with birdlife, which all add up to a jolly nice way to start the day. There are entrances at Burma, Fulton, Wakari, Rockside and Tanner Roads.
Now, whilst there are super restaurants and cafes along the waterfront if you’ve been wandering along St Clair Beach, we want you to see lots of Dunedin, so after your stroll (or jog), jump into your car or into a taxi and head to the refurbished warehouse area and the Vogel St Kitchen (10-15 minutes by car - depending on where you walked.) One of Dunedin’s most delicious and groovy cafes, Vogel St Kitchen serves local and ethical produce and boy do they do it well. Set in a redesigned warehouse with exposed brick and warm wooden ceilings, they serve up superb coffee - done just how you like it!
For the health conscious, grab a coconut and chia porridge, or for those who have worked their way into deserving a big breakfast, load up on their works breakfast or divine mushrooms on toast with sauteed spinach! Which ever way you go, a visit to Vogel St Kitchen will set you up for the day at TRENZ.
Once you’re loaded with goodness and caffeine, it’s a quick 10 minute drive to TRENZ. However we thought you might need a lunchtime suggestion as well, so either in the Tuesday or Thursday lunch break (though we think you may be inclined to do this both days), jump in the car and head up to No 7 Balmac. Situated at 7 Balmacewen Road on Maori Hill, No 7 is a very firm locals favourite. And this is why; mussel and clam fritters with kimchi mayo and charred cabbage or homemade crumpets with caramelised banana and vanilla butter, there’s green goddess salad with all sorts of deliciousness, spiced potato samosas with eggplant pickle and lime coconut raita and to top it off piping home baked bread fresh from their oven. Most of the herbs and lettuces picked straight from their organic garden and all eggs and bacon are free range. The nice people at No 7 even have a set menu if you’ve got a large group of pals (15 or more) joining you. And we are pretty sure everyone will be keen on joining you once the word is out.
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