Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand

Perched on the hills above one of New Zealand's loveliest harbors, Dunedin is a Kiwi city with a Scottish heart. Hailed as the "Edinburgh of New Zealand," Dunedin is proud of its heritage. A statue of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns graces downtown, and the presence of New Zealand's only kilt maker and whisky distillery - as well as many bagpipe bands - keep Dunedin's ties to Scotland alive. The city also boasts a distinguished architectural and cultural history, a legacy of New Zealand's 1860s gold rush.

Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin, is located eight miles from the city center. Dunedin is a planned city: its streets and suburbs fan out from the city's octagon.

Travel tip: Dunedin is pronounced "Dunn-knee-din"

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Points of Interest

  • Taieri Gorge Railway
  • Larnach Castle
  • Olveston House
  • Otago Harbour & Peninsula
  • Speights Brewery
  • Botanical Garden
  • Otago Museum
  • Dunedin Train Station

More about Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand Points of Interest

  • Taieri Gorge Railway

    Travel the fabled route of pioneers & prospectors through spectacular Taieri River Gorge. This historic railway, from the 1870s, boasts wrought iron viaducts, tunnels and modern and vintage carriages. Exclusively chartered for Princess Cruises, the train journey commences from alongside the ship and includes tea, lunch and continuous refreshment service.

  • Larnach Castle

    Enjoy spectacular tower views and beautiful gardens at this neo-Gothic estate. Commissioned by William Larnach for his beloved first wife, the home preserves the baronial lifestyle of the 1800s.

  • Olveston House

    Designed by London architect Sir Ernest George and built in 1904-06 for David Theomin, a Dunedin importer, this magnificent 35-room Jacobean-style mansion tells the story of a gracious age.

  • Otago Harbour & Peninsula

    Otago Peninsula is one of the South Island's most significant wildlife areas and boasts untamed landscape.

  • Speights Brewery

    Still on Rattray Street at the foot of City Rise, the same site it has occupied since 1876, Speight's Brewery brews the "Pride of the South," a favorite New Zealand beer.

  • Botanical Garden

    Established in 1863, the lush Botanic Gardens boast rose, camellia, rhododendron and native plant displays. Also on site are a Glasshouse Garden, aviary, and convenient souvenir shop.

  • Otago Museum

    The Otago Museum was founded in 1868 and has undergone many changes over the years. It is the largest cultural and heritage institution in Otago and has a collection of over two million natural science specimens and human history artifacts. The Museum is Dunedin's most visited attraction.

  • Dunedin Train Station

    Dunedin's landmark railway station features an elaborate Victorian facade, extravagant tile floors and etched glasswork.

12 EXCURSIONS

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Easy Dunedin

2.15 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 1 5

Perfect for those who prefer to see the sights with little walking, delight in Dunedin's scenic beauty and stunning architecture on a panoramic motorcoach drive. Founded by Scottish settlers in 1848, this charming city, whose Gaelic name means Little Edinburgh, features a wealth of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, richly festooned with spires, gables and gargoyles.

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$59.95

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City Drive, Olveston House & Botanic Gardens

4 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 0 0
  • Dunedin Train Station
  • Olveston House
  • Botanical Garden

Experience Dunedin's Scottish heritage on a narrated drive, then tour Olveston House, a 35-room Jacobean mansion built by David Theomin in 1906. The mansion is filled with treasures collected on Theomin's world travels. Conclude with a stroll through New Zealand's oldest botanic gardens, home to a rhododendron dell and a rose garden.

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Moderate Activity

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$89.95

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City Drive & Larnach Castle

4 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 0 5
  • Otago Harbour & Peninsula
  • Dunedin Train Station
  • Larnach Castle

Considered to be the best-preserved Victorian city in the world, Dunedin is ready to be discovered on a narrated motorcoach drive that also reveals its top landmarks. Then, tour New Zealand's only castle. Built by W.J.N. Larnach, the neo-Gothic Larnach Castle took 15 years to complete and boasts appointments and exotic hardwoods from around the world.

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Moderate Activity

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$99.95

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Otago Wildlife Cruise

2.5 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 4 5
  • Otago Harbour & Peninsula

A scenic cruise around Otago Harbour offers stellar views of the area's natural volcanic scenery and abundant wildlife, ranging from flocks of migratory birds to penguins and seals. Head out to Taiaroa Head, named after a Maori chieftain and home to an old coastal fort and a colony of royal albatross.

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$134.95

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Olveston House & Larnach Castle

4.5 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 2 0
  • Dunedin Train Station
  • Larnach Castle
  • Olveston House

Visit two of Dunedin's most lavish landmarks when you explore Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, for a tour of the amazing residence and its lavish gardens. Partake in delicious tea and scones in the castle's ballroom. Then visit Olveston House, a 35-room Jacobean mansion filled with treasures from around the world.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

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$139.95

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Nature's Wonders

4 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 4 6 0
  • Otago Harbour & Peninsula

Enjoy the thrill of the ride on an 8-wheel-drive vehicle, known as an Argo, for a scenic off-road journey that takes you to view some of the Otago Peninsula's most spectacular wildlife inhabitants. Highlights include possible sightings of New Zealand fur seals that live on the rocks and frolicking sea lions.

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$149.95

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The Taieri Gorge Train Tour

5 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 2 3 0
  • Taieri Gorge Railway

Experience an epic rail journey over white water rapids, towering viaducts and historic tunnels along the remote Taieri Gorge.

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$199.95

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Dunedin by Private Vehicle - Car Class Full Day (With Driver/Guide)

8 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 9 0 5

Make the most of your time in Dunedin with the luxury of a car class vehicle with a driver/guide available on a full-day basis. A perfect solution for passengers who wish to tour privately or who want the flexibility of designing their own itinerary. Capacity is two guests.

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Moderate Activity

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$1199.95

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Dunedin by Private Vehicle - Van Class Full Day (With Driver/Guide)

8 hours | Dunedin (Port Chalmers) | P C 3 - 9 0 0

Make the most of your time in Dunedin with the luxury of a van class vehicle with a driver/guide available on a full-day basis. A perfect solution for passengers who wish to tour privately or who want the flexibility of designing their own itinerary. Capacity is six guests.

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Moderate Activity

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$1399.95

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