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Dunedin is not just a Scarfie mecca of couch-burning occasions, Hyde St shenanigans, bars with floors so sticky you can’t even dance, and ten-day long spells of rain. Ho no! It has a secret cultural underbelly of which many young students are not aware. Down towards (and beyond) the Octagon, things like film festivals, iD Dunedin fashion week, ballet and orchestral performances and many more things that your Grandma would probably enjoy doing on a wet Thursday afternoon take place with surprising regularity.



If you are ready, young grasshopper, to dip your toes into the rich pool of Dunedin’s cultural offerings, look no further than the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Situated familiarly close to such favourite spots as Alibi, Mac’s bar and the 24/7, the DPAG looks loftily over the Octagon, casting an artistic eye over the hordes of marauding Dunedin locals that sift around the grass.



Apart from its many interesting and varied exhibitions throughout the year, its plush wooden floors and bright, airy atrium entrance, arguably the best thing about the DPAG is that entry is completely gratis! On the ground floor, there tend to be historical art exhibitions – everything from early settlers’ depictions of NZ in its pristine virgin beauty, to European masters’ works on tour. Upstairs are more contemporary (read: more bizarre) exhibitions – lots of video art, installations, and photography. You can point, nod your head knowingly and make erudite observations like you have a BA in Art History. Enjoy.



Get there: on foot.
Do: check out the superlative gift shop – your Radio One card gets a cheeky 10% discount on non-sale items.
Don’t: slide around in your socks on the wooden floors. Tempting, but not allowed.
Eat: next door at Nova.