Definently check out Baldwin Street. Attempt the walk to the top, but be prepared, because it is VERY steep. Check out the Penguin Place (http://www.penguinplace.co.nz/) penguin preserve out on the Otago Peninsula. It's completely fascinating. Also check out the Royal Albatross Colony (http://www.albatross.org.nz/) on the Peninsula. It's the only mainland breeding site in the southern hemisphere. On your way back from the Peninsula, swing by Larnach Castle (http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/index.pasp) which is the only castle in New Zealand. It's really beautiful (yet small), but the real draw are the amazing views.

Take wet weather gear

I thought the Otago Peninsular was a particularly nice place to visit

YES! Very beautiful areas!! Also the area around Mount Cook and glaciers and temperate rainforest on western side of south island of NZ is outstanding!

go to kingston it is amazing !!

go to kingston it is amazing !!

Dunedin is awesome!!! I highly recommend doing the Elm Wild Life Tour, it was one fo my favorite things we did while in New zealand! You pay 60-80 dollars (cant remember exactly) and you are gone for the whole day to watch wild animals, you get to see albatross, sea lions (in arms reach!), tons of seals, and watch the penguins waddle in from the ocean!!! It was amazing!!!!!!

I did not go down any further than christchurch. i had planned on it however upon arriving in Christchurch I had very different expectations and thought it would be alot busier and have better night life than it did. When talking to some locals there they said that further down is alot quieter and a lot smaller in terms of the size of the cities there also. So I guess if you looking for somewhere a bit quieter this would be your place. hope this gives you a little bit of an insight!

Dunedin is loads of fun, apart from the student life, there are the albatrosses to visit. And don't forget the penguins in oamaru! Stewart Island is brilliant - if you go you should spend a week or more doing the northern and/or southern circuits - you'll see loads of wildlife and get up to your waist in mud, it's brilliant fun! Take plenty of food though!

You might find this travelogue useful http://www.markstravelnotes.com/oceania/new_zealand/travelogues/2007/

First about those penguins,ask the locals,and they will point you to a spot where you can see them for free and from closerby..Right next to the place where you have to pay to see them ;-) I thought Larnach castle was pretty expensive for what it was..so we didnt't go in.. Otago peninsula is really beautiful,when you drive all the way to the top,the view is amazing.. If you go to Dunedin go during the school year,I've been ther twice,once during summer holiday and then it's quite dead,but when the city is full of students it's lively and really nice..go to the pubs around the Octagon!! If you want to go to Stewart Island,I would recommend flying,I haven't met a single person who din't get sick on the boat journey over there..pricewise it's not even that much more expensive..book ahead though..Around end of august there's a big singles ball on stewart island (I know ;-)) and then all the flights are booked ;-) Maybe worthwile going then,I think a once in a liofetime experience ;-)

Also check out Baldwin St.(the worlds steepest st.) The Cadbury factory and Aromoana. Best time to be in dunedin is Jan/Feb. And if ur into drinking be sure to be around for O'Week.

There's many things to see! You have to go to Queestown, it's a beautifull city specialized in sport and adventure (like bungy, hangliding, etc) On the west coast there's Milford sound and Fox glacier to see. If you go to stewart island, (very good idea) you can go on Ulva island, it's a paradize of native birds.

When going to Dunedin, be sure to visit: 1) The Otago Museum (free), especially the Maori section 2) The Otago Peninsula, for example with Elm Tours (60 dollar; you encounter the sea lions and penguins very closely!) 3) The Speights Brewery Tour (18 dollar).