Shore Excursions in Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula

Make the most of your time at port in Dunedin with one of these customizable Dunedin shore excursions. Get your bearings at your own pace with a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour, or choose between outings to Larnach Castle and Gardens and the magnificent Taieri Gorge Railway. If desired, the shore excursions can be combined with some of Dunedin's top sites, including Cadbury World Dunedin, Speight's Brewery, or the Olveston Historic Home. All shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a legendary trip on this train-lover's shore excursion from Dunedin, which includes a 2-hour sightseeing tour by coach. You'll journey by rail through stunning scenery surrounding the Taieri River, passing over century-old viaducts. Then see Otago University, the Dunedin Botanical Gardens, stately homes and other historical sites of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula before you're returned to the Dunedin port.

When your ship pulls into port, relax on a sightseeing tour of Dunedin and take in the magnificent scenery of the Otago Peninsula by rail. Start your shore excursion with a guided 1-hour tour of the Olveston Historic Home, a 35-room mansion with fine art and furnishings. Then soak up the views of the Pacific Ocean during a 1.5-hour round-trip train journey. See the city highlights on an afternoon coach tour including steep Baldwin Street and St Clair Beach.

Combine top Dunedin experiences into a single day of sightseeing on a Port Chalmers shore excursion that includes a city tour, Larnach Castle, and a 90-minute ride on a coastal train through the scenic Otago Peninsula. A flexible mix of guided and independent activities gives you the best of both worlds: you'll get a fascinating, guided introduction to Dunedin highlights, but enjoy the freedom to explore on your own.

Maximise your time in port in Dunedin with this shore excursion and take in the highlights of the Otago Peninsula. See city sights including The Octagon, Dunedin Harbor, Baldwin Street, and Larnach Castle (which for an added fee, you may enter the castle and learn the interesting history of this stately home). Port pickup and drop-off included.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

See the central sights of Dunedin and visit the Olveston Historic Home on a shore excursion of Dunedin attractions. When your ship pulls into port, a professional guide escorts you through the city by coach. View the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden and stately historic buildings before a 1-hour guided tour of Olveston, which includes the mansion and its landscaped gardens.

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on a full-day shore excursion that includes Larnach Castle & Gardens and Speight's Brewery, two of the region's top destinations. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you'll discover the fascinating city of Dunedin, step back in time at New Zealand's only castle, then visit a historic working brewery with deep southern roots. This 6.5-hour tour includes all entrance fees and guided tours, as well as pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

When your cruise ship docks in Dunedin, take a full-day excursion that combines two South Isalnd highlights: a scenic round-trip ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, and an afternoon tour of the Otago Peninsula. The train steams from Dunedin to Pukerangi, passing through Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, and stopping en route for photo ops. Then dig your toes into the sand of Otago's beaches and keep a lookout for marine wildlife.