FIFA Women's World Cup: What to know if you're travelling to Dunedin

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Dunedin News

So you’re in Dunedin/Ōtepoti for the FIFA Women’s World Cup? Here’s what you need to know.

What matches can I go to in Dunedin?
July 21: Philippines v Switzerland
July 23: Netherlands v Portugal
July 26: Japan v Costa Rica
July 28: Argentina v South Africa
July 30: Switzerland v New Zealand
August 1: Vietnam v Netherlands

Where’s the stadium and how do I get there?
Dunedin Stadium/Forsyth Barr Stadium is being used for all matches in Dunedin. The stadium is located on Anzac Avenue, about a 20-minute walk from the Octagon (the uniquely-shaped city centre). On match days, fans will be able to gather in the Octagon to walk to the stadium together, with street entertainers set to be positioned along the route.

There will also be a free FIFA double-decker bus from the Octagon to the stadium. This will depart 90 minutes before the start of a match and run in a loop. Fans will also be able to take this service back to the Octagon after a match.

Park and ride will be offered from the carpark at 111 Victoria Rd in St Kilda (next to the Dunedin Ice Stadium) and Peter Johnstone Park in Mosgiel.

Best pre and post-match grub?
A short walk from the stadium is Emerson’s Brewery, a huge name in New Zealand craft beer. They have a spacious taproom where you can sample their range of legendary brews, with bar snacks, sharing plates and main meals also available to enjoy alongside a pint.

You’ll find plenty of places to eat around the Octagon – Prohibition Smokehouse is a crowd-pleaser for its cuts of dry-aged meats, paired with a selection of tasty sides (the mac and cheese is hard to beat).

For a local dining experience, head to Best Cafe, just down from the Octagon. It’s a Dunedin institution, having been around since 1932, and serves up fish and chip meals, including South Island delicacies like Bluff oysters and blue cod.

If you have time, it’s worth venturing a little further out (a 10-minute drive from the city) to the seaside suburb of St Clair. Here you’ll find Tītī, one of the city’s best restaurants, with ever-changing “trust the chef” menus available for lunch and dinner. Bookings are recommended.

I don’t have tickets, what about fan zones?
A FIFA Fan Festival zone will be located at the Dunedin Town Hall and Glenroy Auditorium in the Octagon, where you’ll be able to watch the action on the big screen, with live music, cultural performances and sporting activations providing plenty of additional entertainment.

Bic Runga, The Topp Twins, Ladyhawke and Ladi6 are among the artists who will be performing on selected days – see here for the schedule.

The venue will be furnished with seating, bean bags, cosy pub-style eating areas and food and drink from local food trucks.

While I’m in the city…
Dunedin is one of the best places in New Zealand to see wildlife, with seals, sea lions, little penguins, yellow-eyed penguins, albatross and more all found on the Otago Peninsula. Book a tour that takes you around the peninsula, or make your own way to attractions like the Royal Albatross Centre and Penguin Place.

The peninsula is also where you’ll find Larnach Castle – or the closest thing New Zealand has to a castle (it was the extravagant home of a prominent businessman and politician). You can tour the iconic building and its grounds, book in for high tea, or even stay at the on-site accommodation.

Be sure to leave time for a thigh-burning walk up Baldwin Street, which holds the record for being the world’s steepest street, with a gradient of 34.8%. It makes for some impressive photos.