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Dunedin - Character and Culture Close to Nature
Listings for: Dunedin > Sports and Leisure > Sports Venues
Carisbrook
Carisbrook is as much a part of Dunedin and Otago's past and present-and its future-as the statue of Robbie Burns in the Octagon or of Larnach's Castle on the Peninsula. It is central to the atmosphere and ambience of the city of Dunedin and holds a place that takes its status beyond that of just a sportsground, however famous in sporting history.
Its proud past is as the home of Otago rugby and cricket, but much more besides. It is the place where hopes are realised and where the dreams of opponents go to die, it is a stage on which has been enacted all the elements of drama, and a stage for the big matches that envelope all of the city and province.
It is not Twickenham or an Arms Park or a Murrayfield, neither is it a Lords nor an Oval nor a Trent Bridge, but it is as well known throughout the rugby and cricket worlds as much as any of those grounds, and has its charm and characteristics as much as any of them.
As with many sportsgrounds, the area where Carisbrook was developed was originally a swamp. usable land in pioneer settlements was at a premium and priority was given to housing, commercial development and cultivation. Sports enthusiasts, when they had the time, had to make use of land that was not required for any other purpose, but first they had to clear it of native timber or of tussock or, in Carisbrrok's case, drain a bog.
Carisbrook owed its beginnings to cricketers and to the wealth and interests of Dunedin's aristocracy of the time. The Carisbrook Cricket Club was evidently formed in the 1870s and played mostly at The Oval where, in 1863, the first international cricket in New Zealand had been played.
There are various theories of the origins of the club's name, but the most popular seems to be that it took the title from Carisbrook, the home overlooking The Glen that belonged to James Macandrew, Otago's first superintendent. He had named his home Carisbrook because it was at Carisbrook Castle on the Isle of Wight where he spent his honeymoon.
Today Carisbrook, like Dunedin, shares a special relationship with the University of Otago. This "town & gown" bond is nowhere more evident than at Carisbrook where student supporters on "the terrace" vocally encourage their often recently adopted province.
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Edgar Centre
more active more often
healthy body healthy mind
bringing sports together
Fun for the family from only $12
Providing a huge variety of sports; tennis, volleyball, basketball and much, much more.
All equipment available for hire.
18 Tennis Courts available
Casuals welcome
Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Sports Centre
Located on Portsmouth Drive the Edgar Sports Centre is a two storey multi-functional amenities building with a 14,400 sq. metre floor space. The centre hosts a variety of sports and sporting events throughout the year, as well as hosting, a variety of trade shows and exhibitions. The Lion Foundation Arena, which opened February 2005, is the newest addition to the Edgar Sports Centre.
The Lion Foundation Arena is capable of seating 3000 people on retractable seating, and is ideal for auditorium style lectures or conferences. When the seating is retracted it leaves a 2400 sq metre floor space, which can cater for standing room for approximately 4,000 people, which creates a great concert venue. There is a state of the art sound system, which reaches every corner of the complex, and the acoustics are fantastic.
There are 10 smaller rooms available for a variety of uses, which seat between 15 and 150 people. There is natural lighting over the entire floor area, and there is loads of free carparking available.
Ibericos Urban Foods Ltd are the in-house caterers, and they can take care of all food and beverage requirements. (www.ibericos.co.nz).
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Sport Otago
GETTING PEOPLE ACTIVE
Dunedin Sports and Recreation
When planning your trip to Dunedin, be sure to leave time to explore the wide range of sport and recreation opportunities the city has to offer. With many walking tracks, sporting facilities, and wide open spaces, Dunedin is definitely an active city.
Walking is a great way to explore the central city and surrounding areas. There are a large number of popular walks ranging from a short stroll through the botanic gardens through to the rather more intense hike up the Pineapple Track. Some excellent mountain biking tracks can also be found not far from the central city.
Dunedin is well known for its easily accessible beaches. Surfers and swimmers can enjoy un-crowded beaches with plenty of beach breaks. There is a consistent swell, with white sand and clear waters adding to the attraction. All beaches are within an easy drive of the city. St Clair and St Kilda are the main city beaches.
Dunedin Harbour is also suitable for a wide range of water sports. Sailing, windsurfing, rowing, and kayaking are all popular among locals. For indoor water activities, Moana Pool, with its waterslides, Olympic size pool, learner's pool and fitness centre, is a great place to take the whole family. For those more interested in fishing, there are a number of ideal spots not far from the city where trout, salmon, and blue cod can all be found in abundance.
Golfers will love their time in Dunedin with the chance to play more than a dozen different courses at very reasonable cost. Whether you are a weekend hacker or a serious player, be sure to pack your clubs.
The Edgar Centre is the largest indoor stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a wide range of facilities for casual participants. As well as being home to the Otago Rebels netball team and Otago Nuggets basketball team, the Edgar Centre caters for visitors interested in playing any number of sports including tennis, basketball, cricket, netball, table tennis, touch and indoor soccer.
Located in close proximity to the University of Otago, Logan Park is the home of many local sports. The Caledonian Ground hosts top class athletics and soccer. Hockey is based at nearby Alexander McMillan turf and the university Oval hosts first class cricket on a regular basis.
Bowls, mountain biking, rock climbing or rugby - no matter what your choice of sport, Dunedin has it covered. For more information on what is available and how you can get involved, visit www.sportotago.co.nz or contact Sport Otago on (03) 474 6350.
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