When you think of beaches, you often think of the Caribbean or some cabana in the Mediterranean. It's often a pretty nice experience with ice cold margaritas and attendants with courteous accents doing everything they can to make you feel relaxed. That's why you go to the beach in the first place, isn't it? In Dunedin, you haven't truly seen the area unless you have seen the beaches, but there won't be anyone in an apron running around with a bottle of champagne. That's not what these beaches are all about. What they are all about are the views, bays, and unique wildlife that make this rugged coastline home to some of the best nature-made visual triumphs in all of New Zealand.

Starting in the city, we'll cover a couple of the main highlights before whisking you away from the crowds. From Signal Hill lookout, you'll get a great vantage point of where your cruise ship came in and observe the expanse of the Otago Peninsula. At the Dunedin Railway Station, you will scope out the city's most celebrated building with its incredible attention to detail that can be seen inside and out. The last stop in the city will have you eyeing up the climb of Baldwin Street, which is considered the "steepest street in the world." Pictures never do this spot justice! Don't worry if you can only make it a quarter of the way up, you'll understand when you get there.

The real show begins out in the peninsula where, 13 million years ago, the coastline was impacted by volcanic activity, which provides incredible views of sporadic domes and vents carved out by land movement. A local wildlife preserve is one of the many locations you'll stop at to "wow" at the views. Make sure you take advantage of a chance to kick your shoes off and dig your feet into the sand. If you're lucky, a New Zealand sea lion might pay you a visit. Just make sure you don't try waking it up from a nap! Your guide will be explaining the history of Dunedin's origin every step of the way, covering everything from small townships like Portobello to migration patterns of its famous wildlife.