Dunedin is an unexpected gem located on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island at the southern end of Otago Harbour. With a population of close to 130,000 (including thousands of university students), the city exudes a hip vibe and boasts a varied selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and craft breweries. In addition, Dunedin offers a combination of Scottish heritage, turn-of-the-century architecture and access to untamed wildlife areas. In fact, European settlers were first attracted to Otago Harbour for its wildlife, more specifically, hunting seals, resulting in Port Chalmers being a deep-water whaling port that provided services and trade for ships to the area. The seals are no longer hunted there; instead, passengers can take a tour to the end of Otago Peninsula, known as Taiaroa Head, for panoramic views, and enjoy close encounters with fur seals and other wildlife in their own habitat.