Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

Dunedin Cruise Port

Known as the architectural heritage capital of New Zealand, Dunedin was once the largest and wealthiest city in the country.  Sitting on the Otago Peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island, this lively university town with Scottish roots is increasingly popular among tourists.

How to Get to Dunedin

Cruise ships dock at Port Chalmers, a suburb of Dunedin located about 8 miles from the city. Shuttle buses are available to take you into the center of town, typically dropping you off at the Octagon in the heart of Dunedin. Public buses also run between Port Chalmers and Dunedin, picking passengers up from the corner of Harrington, Fox and Meridian Streets. Taxis are also available to make the 15 minute drive to Dunedin.

One Day in Dunedin

Whether you take a shuttle or a public bus, you will likely arrive in Dunedin at the Octagon – an eight-sided plaza in the center of town full of bars and cafes.  Start with a visit to the Otago Museum to learn more about the region’s cultural and natural history. If you’re interested in contemporary art, stop at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery on the southwestern corner of the Octagon as well. Spend some time checking out the charming Victorian and Edwardian architecture of the city, including Otago University and the Railway Station. Then, head over to bustling George Street, just off of the Octagon, to peruse some of Dunedin’s best shops before taking a break for lunch at one of the many restaurants lining the street.
After lunch, it’s time for dessert! Make your way to Cadbury World on Cumberland Street, where you can sample Cadbury chocolate or even take a guided tour of the factory. Beer-lovers may want to follow that up with a tour of Speight’s Brewery, home of the South Island’s most popular beer. Or, pay a visit to the Royal Albatross Center at Taiaroa Head, home to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of northern royal albatross.

Time permitting, you might also head out to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. Sitting on a hilltop a few miles outside of the city, the castle is another example of Victorian architecture and offers spectacular views of Dunedin Bay.  Or, save some time to explore the galleries, boutiques and antique shops of Port Chalmers before returning to your ship.

Those wishing to see more of the region surrounding Dunedin might consider an excursion on the Taieri Gorge Railway, a four hour trip with morning and afternoon departures. The train typically departs from the Dunedin Railway Station, but if you book a tour, you will likely depart from, and return to, the port instead.

Port Information

The official language is English and the local currency is the New Zealand dollar.  ATMs are readily available and credit cards are widely accepted. Temporary visitor information booths are set up at the port when cruise ships are in port.  

Dreamworld on the Gold Coast is home to the most thrilling rides on Australia's east coast!

As one of the world’s great waterfront destinations, Darling Harbour is a visitor’s dream!

The harbour is considered an entertainment and tourism hub with restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, shops, parks and more! All sites are walking distance from one another, as this ring of attractions is connected by walkways and boardwalks that face the water. Worn out from an exciting day in the harbour? There is also a little train that loops the area for visitors with children or anyone who would like to relax and enjoy the seaside sights.

You may need to dedicate an entire day for a visit, as there is so much to see and do in Darling Harbour. It has a thriving nightlife with a unique and electrifying vibe as people buzz from bar to bar. That said, the area is great for family fun as well. Children can play on the harbour playground or run through the fountains on hot days. Stop by Cockle Bay for an inspiring dining experience; marvel at sea creatures at the Sydney Aquarium, shop at Sydney’s Harbourside shopping center or visit one of Australia’s top museums.

Darling Harbour has something for everyone: with stunning views, top attractions and excitement all around!

The Defence of Darwin Experience chronicles the Northern Territory’s role in World War II through a number of powerful exhibits that educate visitors on how the war deeply affected the region and its residents. This multimedia museum offers fascinating insight into the fateful events leading up to and on Feb. 19, 1942, when the Bombing of Darwin took place, killing over 250 people, sinking 10 ships, and kicking off a period of nearly two years of bombings in the Northern Territory. Guests can view historic equipment and artifacts from the war and listen to somber stories of locals’ whose lives were changed forever, as well as firsthand accounts of those who went off to war to avenge the lives that were lost.

Hobart is set on the Derwent River estuary, which sets it apart as one of the world’s great sailing cities and harbors.

Take a cruise by jet boat or ferry on the Derwent, or cross the water by water-taxi. Cruises go upriver to Moorilla Winery or the Cadbury Factory, or out to Iron Pot Lighthouse near Bruny Island.

The harbor is indented with sandy bays and beaches and crossed by several bridges. From the water you can see Mount Wellington, the docks, botanical gardens and suburbs.

Sea kayaking is another way of experiencing the Derwent, leaving from the Hobart docks and paddling around the city.

Ready to relax, rejuvenate and indulge? That’s what Daylesford is all about. An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne (or a train and bus from central Melbourne via the historical gold mining town of Ballarat), Daylesford is a picturesque town perfect for taking time out and soaking up Australia’s natural environment.

With world-class natural spa treatments, a relaxing lake, walking tracks and fresh air galore, you’ll literally feel the stress drift away. Once you’re relaxed, it’s time to enjoy the amazing fresh produce and famous regional wines. Visit one of the town’s famous restaurants – The Lake House is regarded as one of the great fine dining experiences in Australia – or shop locally and prepare your own picnic by the lake.

You’ll find plenty of B&Bs and beautiful hotels to stay in, or you can rent a fully-furnished house if you’re staying more than a few days. And, really, once you’ve spent your first day in Daylesford, why would you ever want to leave?

A 50 mi (80 km) dinosaur trackway runs through the Kimberley. At low tide, Guantheaume Point is one of the best vantage points to see the tracks of at least nine different types of dinosaur. The dinosaurs are thought to be from the early Cretaceous period which makes them around 130 million years old.

There are herbivores like the Apatosaurus and carnivores including a tyrannosaur. The fossilized footprints range from a few inches to nearly 3 ft (1 m).

The footprints can only be viewed at very low tide, however, there are copies up at the top of the cliffs for visitors to view; this helps lessen the human impact on the fragile reef.

Shiny and modern, Eagle Street Pier is the riverside corporate entertainment precinct of Brisbane City. Beneath the glass facades of the city’s law firms and commercial offices, overlooking the Brisbane River, are many of the city’s most loved bars and restaurants.

Local favorites at Eagle Street Pier include Jade Budda for cocktails, the Bavarian Bier Café for a hearty feed and Matt Moran's ARIA for fine dining. The precinct is popular on Friday nights in particular, when end of week celebrations transform the calm riverside into a cosmopolitan hotspot.

Every Sunday between 8am and 3pm, Eagle Street Pier hosts a waterfront market for the weekend wanderer to browse stalls selling clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery and gifts.

For 108 years, a lightkeeper here at Double Island Point Lighthouse was tasked with the job of keeping ships away from the Great Barrier Reef. Even though the light is now automated, however—having taken the lightkeeper’s place—the timber frame and romantic allure still accompany this historic, stoic tower in Great Sandy National Park. A popular spot with trekkers and sightseers, the lighthouse headland overlooks the coast and the turquoise waters below. White sand shoreline stretches out on both sides of the headland, which is only accessible by hiking trails or a 4x4 road down the beach. Whales and dolphins can be spotted offshore between the months of July–November, and surfers flock to the legendary wave that peels around the point. This is also a very popular stop between Noosa and Fraser Island, and offers one of the best views on Australia’s eastern coast. To see Double Island Point Lighthouse for yourself, embark on a 15-mile 4x4 drive from popular Rainbow Beach, or hike and camp along the coast through Great Sandy National Park.