Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston Tour

4.8 (89 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

89 reviews

4.8

Larnach Castle Gardens — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Larnach Castle — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

With this tour, you will experience the pure beauty of Dunedin through a journey rich in heritage, spectacular scenery, and memorable highlights. You’ll explore the stunning Otago Peninsula via scenic Highcliff Road, with its rugged beaches and bays, and visit the gardens of New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle.

Along the way, you’ll visit some of Dunedin’s most iconic locations:

Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street
A local lookout point with panoramic views of the city, harbour, and peninsula
The University of Otago — New Zealand’s oldest university
The Octagon
Dunedin Railway Station
The Dunedin Botanic Garden — internationally significant and the oldest in the country

In addition, you will join a one-hour guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, one of Dunedin’s true treasures. Every piece inside the house is original, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of the family who once lived there.

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At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Guide: English
Operated by: Fantail Tours Limited

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Driver/guide
Included: Round-trip shared transfer
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Port pickup and drop-off

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Entrance fees: Larnach Castle interior

Itinerary

Baldwin Street - World's Steepest Street!

10 min

A short stop to have a look or take a photo of Baldwin Street that used to hold a title of the steepest street in the world for the last 30 years
Signal Hill

10 min

Marvel the panorama of Dunedin city and harbour and get a good idea of how city is laid out
Dunedin Botanic Garden

20 min Admission included

A short stroll to view bird aviaries and unique plants that do well in Dunedin
University of Otago

5 min

Enjoy a short stop to view and take a photo of the oldest university of New Zealand - University of Otago.
Stop 5

Passing by

Drive via a street mostly inhabited by Otago University students and see the house where a famous NZ band six60 started.
The Octagon

Passing by

Pass by the heart of the city - the Octagon
First Church of Otago

5 min

Stop to view from outside and inside of the finest churches of New Zealand - First Church of Otago
Dunedin Railway Station

10 min

Short stop at Dunedin Railway Station to view of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand.
Otago Peninsula

20 min

Sit back and enjoy the drive to Larnach Castle Gardens with the most breathtaking views of Otago Peninsula and Otago Harbour
Larnach Castle & Gardens

1 h 30 min Admission included

Enjoy roughly 1-1.5 hour at the Castle gardens to explore the gardens, stop at the cafe to grab some snacks and a drink and take lots of photos with amazing views. Hear the dramatic story of William Larnach and his family. Please note this tour includes entry to gardens only, there is an extra fee to enter the castle building itself.

Entry to the building of the castle is not included. there is an extra fee of NZD20 to pay at the door.
Olveston Historic Home

one hour Admission included

Olveston is an eloquent expression of one family's dream. A tour of Olveston allows an intimate glimpse of the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's. It reflects a lifestyle enjoyed by just a few, but represents a most important piece in the mosaic of early New Zealand life as a whole.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

If you are not cruise ship passengers, please meet our tour guide at the Octagon, outside Dunedin Visitor centre at 9am
If you are arriving on a cruise ship please meet Fantail Tours guide from 9.15am at Port Chalmers cruise terminal, private tour waiting area between door 1 and door 2.

End point

If you are not cruise ship passengers, please meet our tour guide at the Octagon, outside Dunedin Visitor centre at 9am
If you are arriving on a cruise ship please meet Fantail Tours guide from 9.15am at Port Chalmers cruise terminal, private tour waiting area between door 1 and door 2.