Here the itinerary is described south-to-north, for the other direction see The Other 1.
Dunedin's main highway is in the form of a pair of one-way streets. Staright ahead instead of left up the big hill out of town will lead you to Dunedin's early northern suburb '''North East Valley'''.
Halfway up the valley on the right is '''Baldwin Street''', the 'world's steepest street'. Great for a demonstration of bravado: there's a drinking fountain and seat at the top.
'''North Road''' climbs up the head of the valley, to join '''Mount Cargill Road'''. This is the old State Highway 1 bypassed in the late 1950s.
Mount Cargill Road rejoins the Highway at '''Waitati'''. The '''Orokonui Ecosanctuary''' is a major wildlife project under construction here. Just north of here, take the '''right turn''' at '''Evansdale''' on to '''Coast Road'''.
Coast Road, an old highway out of Dunedin, heads alongside Blueskin Bay to '''Warrington'''. Just after the last rail crossing as you leave Warrington, there's a '''historic church''' on the right. St Barnabas Church is set in a wooded cemetery. If the building is open, check out the polished wood interior and stained glass windows.
Coast Road continues through farmland towards '''Seacliff''', the site of an old mental hospital, mostly demolished due to land instability around here. There's a backpacker hostel (The Asylum) in the remaining buildings and the old hospital grounds are open to the public. New Zealand writer Janet Frame was a patient here.
This is one of the earlier farming districts of the European settlers. Karitane is an old whaling port and now has a small fishing port.
The Highway is rejoined just north of here, heading into '''Waikouaiti'''. Check out the oldest buildings in this district, '''Matanaka Farm''' ? the best bit is the homely 3-seater toilet (a big one for the papa, a middle-sized one for the mama... ).
At '''Goodwood''' look out for a hard right off the highway onto the loop road to '''Palmerston''': it's three sides of a square but a nice bit of motoring, and comes the back way into Palmerston where the highway is rejoined. North of the town centre '''take a left''' on to '''Horse Range Road''' (before the Highway crosses the railway on a bridge).
This diversion climbs over the Horse Range through limestone country. Trotters Gorge has bush walks and a picnic area. The highway avoided by this diversion has its own scenic good points, running along the beachfront for most of the way, so keep it in mind on the way back.
The inland route rejoins Highway 1 for a short section. The highway follows the coast north to the '''Moeraki Boulders''' a worthwhile get-out-and-walk look at some interesting geological freaks.
'''Hampden''' (pronounced ''Hamden'') on the highway has a fish and chips shop, pub and cleanish public toilets.
At '''Waianakarua''', there's a severe right turn to '''Kakanui''', straight after crossing a humpy bridge (a historic stone arch and worth a quick look after negotiating the junction).
Follow the coastline to '''Kakanui''', a small fishing port and holiday town.
The coastal route brings you in past Oamaru's harbour to the historic '''town centre''' of restored Victorian stone buildings. This is well worth a 10 minute get-out-and-walk.'''Little Blue Penguins''' come ashore just south of here every day around dusk.