Did you know that New Zealand is home to to steepest residential street in the world? Baldwin Street in Dunedin has a gradient of 1 in 2.86 at its steepest point, which is equivalent to a 35% grade. The bottom of the street is surfaced with asphalt but the top reaches of the street are surfaced with concrete for ease of maintenance and safety reasons for frosty winters. As with many other parts of New Zealand, the roads were planned out in London, in a grid like fashion with little regard to the topography of the area and there are several streets in the steeper area of Baldwin which have been left unformed. Every year around The Cadbury Chocolate Carnival – Jaffa race takes place and approximately 30,000 Jaffas (small round chocolates popular here) are rolled down the street. Each Jaffa is sponsored by an individual with prizes going to the winner and proceeds to charity. The street takes approximately 10 minutes to walk up and is worth the bragging rights to your friends that you can do it!
