Port Chalmers Tours, Tickets & Excursions

Join a small group for a full-day tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. During the city tour, see landmarks such as the University of Otago, Baldwin Street, and Scottish heritage sites. Next explore the Otago Peninsula, including Otago Harbour, Sandfly Ba and historic Larnach Castle. Your tour includes pickup and drop-off in central Dunedin or the port.

See many of the most impressive and interesting sights around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula in just one day on this tour, specifically designed for cruise ship travelers. Meet your guide at the port and then head out to see New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, the authentic Chinese Gardens, the fascinating Settlers Museum, the world’s steepest street and much more.

Travel from Port Chalmers or Dunedin on a privately guided tour that introduces you to city attractions as well as points of interest on the Otago Peninsula. With a flexible itinerary you can spend as much time as you like at each site, including a stop at the Royal Albatross Centre. Drive past Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, Otago University, Dunedin Railway Station, and more.

See some of Dunedin’s main attractions on this short city tour. Designed for those arriving into Port Chalmers on cruise ships, this tour is open to everyone and only operates on cruise ship days. Take in the views of the city from Signal Hill, visit the Botanic Gardens and see Baldwin Street - the steepest residential street in the world. See impressive architecture including the iconic Octagon and the Railway Station.

Explore Dunedin highlights on a 3-hour, small-group tour that goes from the city's historic landmarks to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. You'll see the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, and more, then continue to the beautiful Otago Peninsula, pausing for a walk on St. Clair beach and esplanade. Group size is limited to 13 people to ensure personalized service, and this tour includes pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers, with departure times that are tailored to cruise ship arrivals.

Be amazed by the abundance of wildlife so close to Dunedin city on this small-group cruise in Otago Harbour. Board at Port Chalmers or Portobello and enjoy the comfort of a small boat with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Look out for penguins, sea lions, and shags, as well as heritage sites in the harbor. Choose from late-morning, early afternoon, or late-afternoon departures to suit your schedule.

Travelers short on time in Dunedin who want a comprehensive overview of the city and the Otago Peninsula will love this five-hour small-group tour. After stopping at Dunedin city highlights like Baldwin Street, the University of Otago, and the Octagon, you’ll head out to the Otago Peninsula to enjoy nature. Learn more about penguins on a guided tour of the reserve.

The quickest and most fun option to get to see New Zealands only castle. A fast, safe and comfortable water taxi ride across the beautiful Otago Harbour to Macandrew Bay, a small seaside village on the Otago Peninsula. Here you transfer into an 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 then you'll be brought back down to the harbour, in the van to Macandrew Bay for your second water taxi ride into the city or back to Port.

A tour designed for Nature Lovers ! For cruise ship passengers wanting to see and learn about New Zealand's flora and fauna. Led by the Otago Peninsula’s longest serving ranger, join us as we explore a variety of wildlife areas plus observe our staff monitoring the world’s smallest penguins! We hope to see a range of wildlife such as seals resting in our reserve, albatross in flight over the Pukekura headland, a range of sea and shore birds, waterfowl and bush birds. While sightings of specific species are not guaranteed, the one species we do guarantee is the Blue Penguin. On this unique 4.5-hour tour you will be led by our ranger, his knowledge comes from his extensive nature work over decades. On this tour guests get to observe us monitoring some of our nesting blue penguins. This is a very special unique experience. To ensure good views of penguins and to ensure everyone has clear views and sufficient legroom while in our 14-seater van we limit the capacity to just 8 guests.

Join our guide for a personalised tour of Larnach Castle and learn about Dunedin's early history along the way. Enjoy stunning views of the Otago Peninsula, the Otago Harbour and our rugged coastline as your bus travels across it's volcanic countryside. Your guide will give a full commentary throughout your journey. Hop aboard a special Wildlife Cruise experience and find out why Dunedin is known as the Nature Capital of New Zealand. Spot royal albatross, fur seals, historic lighthouses and so much more!

Dunedin City is a wildlife wonderland, and this morning or afternoon cruise is a great way to see these native birds and marine animals close-up. Instead of wearing yourself out on a tramp across the peninsula, cruise through the Otago Harbour and past Taiaroa Head in a custom-built boat with a heated cabin and open deck for scenic photos. Look out for albatross, blue penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and more while listening to onboard commentary from your skipper/guide.

Join us for an invigorating wildlife cruise experience. By the time you get back to your ship you’ll know why Dunedin is the Nature Capital of New Zealand. The cruise will travel around beautiful wharves and boatsheds, then through the historic Quarantine Islands. You’ll see the Careys Bay fishing village and its motley collection of boats before continuing along the harbour. Enjoy a nice hot drink and biscuit for morning tea. As you arrive at the entrance to the Otago Harbour you’ll see the tidal Aramoana sandflats and the spectacular volcanic cliffs of Taiaroa Head. You’ll see the royal albatross breeding colony, the only mainland colony in the world. Beneath a picturesque lighthouse you’ll find a large population of fur seals, watch as they swim, play and sleep on rocky platforms close to the boat. A short way out to sea we often spot other species of albatross and seabirds. We sometimes see dolphins, sea lions and blue penguins. Don’t forget your camera!

Discover Dunedin City and the Otago peninsula on this small group tour of the highlights of the area. Take a walk up the world’s steepest street, explore the picturesque botanic gardens, and take in grand architecture throughout the city. Enjoy a panoramic scenic drive around the Otago peninsula to the Royal Albatross Centre to learn about these magnificent seabirds.

Let someone else take care of logistics while you experience the beauty and rich heritage of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Spend the first part of the morning exploring parts of Dunedin, then take a scenic drive along the Otago Peninsula, stoping at one of the world’s only mainland colonies of Royal Albatross.

This is a tour by bus around some of the main attractions of Dunedin. It is aimed at cruise ship passengers and only runs on cruise ship days The tour stops at all locations mentioned with a chance to get off and have a walk around. Comfortable vehicles and a commentary is provided. A full refund will be offered if at the conclusion of the tour the customer is dissatisfied with any part of the experience that is within the operator's control so long as the issue is raised first with the operator before any third party. (Subject to tripadvisor complying with operator request)

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

Book your Private Transfer from Chalmers Cruise Port to Dunedin city hotels or any addres. Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door port/city transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers

Book your Private Transfer from Chalmers Port to Dunedin Airport (DUD) Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door port/airport transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • We track your Flight • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers

Join our tour of Otago Harbour on our ex-Coast Guard vessel, "Protector." 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.