Tours in Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula

Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will love the Peninsula Encounters + Wildlife Cruise. This tour enjoys unrivalled access to remote locations and rare animals. You'll visit a variety of beautiful locations on the Otago Peninsula and see the Otago Harbour during a special Wildlife Cruise. Your guide will give a personalised commentary throughout the tour and help you spot Royal Albatross, Fur Seals, Sea Lions and Yellow-eyed Penguins.

A UP TO 4 people private day trip in Dunedin ensures a tailored, exclusive experience where your itinerary is fully customizable to your interests. Unlike group tours, this private option offers flexibility in timing and allows for a more intimate exploration of the city’s heritage landmarks and the Otago Peninsula’s breathtaking wildlife. You’ll enjoy personal attention from a local guide, access to lesser-known spots, and the freedom to move at your own pace. This unique, personalised touch is perfect for those seeking a deeper, more meaningful connection with Dunedin and its natural surroundings.

Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only castle! Top attraction Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula The Castle's Garden has received numerous national Awards Lovingly restored by the Barker Family, Have a look around the lovingly restored Larnach Castle that dates back to 1871,

Admire the fine architecture, gardens and decor of the elegant Olveston Historic Home during a 1-hour guided tour of this must-see attraction in Dunedin. You can also stroll through the beautiful gardens and take in views of the city and Otago Harbour. During the house tour, your knowledgeable guide shares informative commentary about the design, art and furnishings, as well as the family that built the home. This tour gives you a chance to glimpse life in New Zealand during the early 20th century and learn about one of Dunedin’s most prominent families.

An unrivalled tour package! Visit the stunning Larnach Castle, travel the beautiful roads of the Otago Peninsula and join special Monarch Wildlife Cruise. Enjoy a 90 minute tour of Larnach Castle and it's beautiful grounds. Hear the scandalous story of early settler William Larnach and his family. Explore the beautifully restored castle, with it's original antique furniture and impressive craftsmanship throughout. Time is allowed for exploring the gardens or a quick snack from the ballroom cafe. You'll then continue along the Otago Peninsula and your guide will give an interactive commentary along the way. Hop aboard a Wildlife Cruise out through the entrance to the Otago Harbour. Enjoy close viewing of fur seals, royal albatross and other seabirds. Sometimes we spot sea lions, blue penguins & dusky or hectors dolphins.

Small group tours, by Otago Harbour's most experienced skipper/guide! You wont find a wildlife guide with more experience on Otago Harbour then owner/operator Rachel McGregor. She has had 20 +years experience skippering/guiding/operating commercial vessels on Otago Harbour, including dredger, coastguard, harbourmaster and more. Modern, comfortable, safe, fast and custom built boat. Approx 1.5 hours -2 hours in duration. -Full professional amplified commentary -Quality binoculars provided. -Bathroom onboard, heated cabin -Learn about historic Quarantine Stations and old shipwrecks. -See and learn about the fishing boats, workboats, dredges and ships as we pass Port Chalmers and Careys Bay. -Look for albatross, penguins, seals, sea lions, sea birds, marine mammals and more as we cruise past roosting, breeding and feeding areas. -See/learn about the historic pilots houses, search light and gun emplacements and the old whaling stations. -Cruise around Taiaroa Head, Nature reserve.

The stories Gregor researches have rarely been heard before. They are the culmination of years of research and are exclusive to Tales From Darkest Dunedin. Darkest Dunedin has an extensive knowledge of the area and its history so you'll walk away feeling like a local and just as welcome!

The quickest and most fun option to get to see New Zealands only castle. A fast water taxi ride across the beautiful Otago Harbour to Macandrew Bay, a small seaside village on the Otago Peninsula. Here you transfer to our executive shuttle van for your scenic drive up the hill to the castle. Your entry fee to the castle and gardens is included in your fare. You'll have an hour and a half to explore the castle and gardens. You'll then be brought back down to the harbour, for your second water taxi ride into Steamer Basin, in the heart of Dunedin. From Steamer Basin it's a short 5 minute walk to the iconic Dunedin Railway Station and Toitu, the Settlers Museum. This is also the departure point for the Cruise ship shuttles that return to Port. Please note - Trips from 8.30am - 10.30am and the 11.30am trip leave from Back Beach, Port Chalmers. Trips from 11.00 and 12.10pm leave from Steamer Basin, Dunedin city.

Enjoy a guided tour of Dunedin city, take in the highlights and enjoy a café lunch in a lovely garden setting. This 5 hour tour explores the city before heading out onto the stunning Otago peninsula. A visit to Larnach Castle , New Zealand's only castle is a must see. There is a café here which has tea coffee and a variety of food on offer. Then spend the rest of the visit enjoying the very extensive gardens. (Admission to the gardens is included. The tour inside castle can be booked and paid on the day). During the tour you will view some outstanding scenery that we have on offer here in paradise (AKA Dunedin). There are fantastic photo opportunities during the tour.

Take in the best of Dunedin City on this 3-hour, small-group tour. Ride in the comfy, safe van to the highest vantage points, around heritage buildings, and view the white sand beaches of Dunedin. You'll visit the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, the world's steepest street, and a lot more. Take great photos from the best spots and learn as the expert commentary from your local guide gives you a real feel for the past and present of New Zealand's first city. Enjoy free pickup and drop-off from your cruise port, your hotel, or in town for either the morning (9am) or afternoon (1pm) tour. Group size is limited to 12 people.

Enjoy a full-day tour experiencing lovely Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You will see all the city highlights before journeying along the Otago Peninsula, which is full of wildlife and the majestic Larnach Castle (garden entry included, the tour inside the castle can be booked and paid for on the day if required). Also included is a visit to The Opera (Formerly Known as Penguin Place) - learn about the Yellow-Eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into the rehabilitation centre (when penguins are present) where Yellow-Eyed penguins and other penguin species can be seen up close. Then a short bus trip to the reserve where you are guided on an approximately 2km nature walk (Some steps included and uneven ground). Your local guide has many stories of the area and knows all the best spots and vantage points along the way. There is plenty of time to chat and enjoy the commentary during your small-group tour.

We are Dunedin specialists in high end tour guiding private tours with years in the industry. We pride ourselves on immaculate vehicles, great guides and drivers and most of all FUN and laughs. Our days are fully customizable - you can choose on the day if you would like an add on from a brewery visit, gin distillery, Larnach Castle or Olveston Historic Home visit OR our amazing Honey and Hive experience. Otherwise we will fill your day in with all things that are popular around our city and even throw in some surprises along the way. Our motto is "start as strangers end as friends".

We invite you to join us for an experience unlike any other in New Zealand on one of our guided Wildlife and Penguin Tour. Penguins, fur seals, sea lions, shore and land birds, native fauna, and more await you within our private reserve. Best of all, by taking a tour you are joining our work, as tour operations directly fund the conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and education initiatives at The OPERA.

We offer a small group tour of the highest quality, exclusive experience where your itinerary is fully customized to your interests. Our private tour ,unlike group tours, offers flexibility in timing, and allows more time to enjoy the breathtaking views of Otago Peninsula and Dunedin. We have been providing Dunedin and South Island private Tours since 2015 and committed to customer satisfaction. You will enjoy personal attention from local guide, access to hidden spots, and freedom to move at your own pace. We are professional, friendly and reliable and happy to meet new customers from around the world.

Discover Dunedin & Otago Peninsula – A Perfect Day Tour Begin at the Dunedin Botanic Garden Aviary, home to native and exotic birds. Next, take in breathtaking panoramic views from Signal Hill Lookout, offering the best vantage point over Dunedin. Challenge yourself at Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest residential street, before admiring the University of Otago’s iconic clocktower. Visit the stunning Dunedin Railway Station, a masterpiece of grand architecture. Journey along the scenic Otago Peninsula, stopping at Sir Leonard Wright Lookout and Sandfly Bay for incredible coastal views and potential wildlife sightings. At the Royal Albatross Centre, learn about the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross. Return via the coastal route with an optional city center drop-off for self-exploration. Ensure you return to port on time. This tour blends history, scenery, and wildlife for an unforgettable experience!

Visit the habitat of the world's rarest penguin. Walk through a private nature reserve on this guided tour for a chance to see the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguin, Little Blue Penguins and NZ Fur seals in the wild. Specially designed hides allow for close viewing of Yellow Eyed Penguins in their nesting habitat *please note the penguins are not kept in captivity in the reserve and they may not always be visible from the hides. A visit to the penguin rehabilitation hospital is also included in this tour. This tour also visits the Royal Albatross Colony for a guided tour of the nesting area. Lookouts, photo stops and full commentary provided throughout. Also included is a brief tour of Dunedin's main city sights.

Bus across the beautiful Otago Peninsula and enjoy the sights whilst your local guide gives an informative commentary about the area. Then hop aboard our comfortable boat for an invigorating cruise out past the historic Taiaroa Head lighthouse. You'll spot rare Southern Ocean marine wildlife, including royal albatross, fur seals and more! The tour concludes with a relaxed cruise, back to Dunedin, along the Otago Harbour.

Join a small-group tour to discover the highlights of Dunedin, the oldest city in New Zealand. Our City Tour is the perfect choice for those who are short on time and seeking a personalized experience. This brief yet insightful tour offers a wonderful introduction to the charm of Dunedin. Our 2-hour City Tour covers the key highlights of the city, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy any other activities you may have planned. Please note, this tour does not include pick-up from Port Chalmers and is therefore not suitable for cruise ship passengers. The tour departs from Dunedin City Centre, just outside the Dunedin Visitor Centre. We may be able to offer pick-up from Port Chalmers for an additional cost on some occasions—please enquire for further details.

Embark on an exclusive private tour, accommodating a maximum of five participants. This intimate setting ensures a personalized experience akin to a private tour, allowing for flexibility and customization. Our meticulously curated itinerary covers all the city’s highlights, providing a comprehensive exploration of Dunedin. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of lifestyle, history, and culture, tracing back to New Zealand’s early periods.

Join our group tour of Otago Harbour on our latest vessel, "Adagio" Fast, safe, and comfortable, you will see more of our beautiful harbor with its extensive history and abundant wildlife. Your skipper and guide will give you a commentary along the way, pointing out places of interest and facts about the wildlife you will encounter. The main attraction, of course, is the albatross colony at Taiaroa Head at the entrance to the harbor. Watch as these magnificent birds glide along the cliff faces and swoop down along the waves, sometimes beside the boat. An experience not to be missed.

Embark on a scenic tour exploring Dunedin highlights, including the iconic Railway Station, and historic Octagon with photo ops at Signal Hill Lookout and Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street. Make your way out to Taiaroa head where you will stop in at the Royal Albatross Centre before starting the ultimate peninsula wildlife experience at The Opera. Explore the reserve and rehabilitation center which is home to the endangered yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals, sea lions, and several species of sea and forest birds. This tour offers a blend of history, stunning views, and wildlife encounters, summing up all of the goodness Dunedin has to offer.

We love showing you our city and will always give you a trip to remember - we cannot wait to show you our city. We are very well known, always have immaculate vehicles and very fun knowledgeable guides. The castle is NZ only castle and holds a lot of history as well as a garden of International significance its well worth the visit! We also stop at the Worlds Steepest Street, Signal Hill Lookout for a view over the city as well as taking a stroll in the oldest gardens in NZ - the Botanic Gardens before stopping at the Dunedin Railway Station - NZs most photographed station! You will love the Otago Peninsula - one of the most stunning places you can visit in our city We will have time of stopping and photo taking before entering the castle for a guided tour.

Take off on your scenic cruise down the Southern New Zealand coast to explore all the Catlins Forest Park has to offer. Starting at the Tunnel Beach, you will discover dramatic cliffs and a hand carved tunnel inviting you to the sandy shores. Next, go for a guided walk on the Awakiki Bush Track, a 2.7 km loop that showcases the diverse flora and fauna of Otago, with chances to spot native wildlife. Stop at Kaka Point for a kiwi classic of takeaways at the beach while keeping your eyes peeled for seals along the beach and dolphins in the water. Cap off your journey with a visit to the Nugget Point Lighthouse, where you can take in stunning panoramic views of the coastline and famous rock formations before enjoying the scenic drive back to Dunedin.

Explore Dunedin’s charms on our Family Walking Tour, a delightful journey through heritage and natural beauty. Begin in The Octagon, where lively street performers entertain, setting the stage for an enjoyable family outing. Discover St. Paul’s Cathedral, an architectural wonder, and learn about the city’s spiritual heritage in a serene setting. Meander down Tennyson Street, lined with unique shops and cozy cafes, offering family-friendly shopping and local flavors. Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden, transports you to a peaceful world with meandering paths and cultural insights. Queens Gardens invites picnics and leisurely strolls amidst lush greenery and charming bridges. Finally, explore the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, an architectural gem that shares the city’s intriguing history. This Dunedin Family Walking Tour combines history and natural beauty to create cherished family memories.