Our most recommended things to do in Dunedin

Dunedin: Otago Peninsula with Guided Penguin Tour

1. Dunedin: Otago Peninsula with Guided Penguin Tour

Meet the tour guide at 9:00 AM at Port Chalmers and enjoy a 20 minute scenic drive with photo stops to Dunedin City. The first stop will be at the world’s steepest street where you will spend about 10 minutes. Following this stop, take in a panoramic view of Dunedin and the surrounding area from Signal Hill lookout point. Begin exploring the key highlights of Dunedin with a visit to the botanical gardens to learn about the wide variety of plants and birds within the region. Drive through one of the oldest cemeteries of Dunedin where some of New Zealand's most famous figures, including William Larnach and Thomas Bracken, are buried. Stop at New Zealand’s oldest university, Otago university. Visit one of New Zealand's finest churches, the First Church of Otago and learn about the Dunedin Railway station and its historical importance. After seeing the sites of Dunedin, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Otago Peninsula via Highcliff Road with some photos stops. After approximately 1 hour, stop at the end of the Peninsula, Penguin Place. This is a private reserve of the world's rarest penguins, the Yellow Eyed Penguin. Enjoy a guided reserve walking tour to learn all about these endangered penguins and see if you can view them either in the rehabilitation center or in the reserve. By joining the tour you are supporting a huge conservation project to protect Yellow Eyed Penguins and help stop their extinction. After a break, you will drive via a low road to enjoy a different view of the scenery along the harbour. You will return back to Port Chalmers by 2:00 PM, or you can stay in the city for some shopping and make your own way back to Port.

Dunedin: City Highlights and Otago Peninsula Scenery

2. Dunedin: City Highlights and Otago Peninsula Scenery

Meet your tour guide at 9 AM at Port Chalmers, from where you will enjoy a 20-minute scenic drive with photo stops to Dunedin City. Make the first stop at the world’s steepest street, and spend about 10 minutes grasping this extreme location. From there, head to Signal Hill's lookout point, which offers a gorgeous panorama of Dunedin and the surrounding area. Then, take a short guided stroll at the upper botanic garden to view a variety of plants, as well as native New Zealand birds. Drive through one of the oldest cemeteries of Dunedin where the William Larnach family and Thomas Bracken are buried, as you hear all about their fame. Later on, stop at the oldest New Zealand’s University, Otago University. Drive through the main shopping street, George Street and Octagon, which comprises the heart of the city. Next up, stop to view one of the finest churches, the First Church of Otago before you visit the stunning Dunedin Railway Station and hear all about how busy it used to be. Following the city sightseeing, sit back to enjoy the most breathtaking scenery of the Otago Peninsula via Highcliff Road with some great photo stops. After a 1-hour scenic drive, stop at the end of the Peninsula, the Royal Albatross Centre, and enjoy some free time to grab some snacks and drinks at the lovely cafe. You can also explore outdoors, walk down to the beach to spot seals on rocks or in water, view royal albatross gliding if it is windy enough, and enjoy the ocean and lighthouse views. Following a break on the Otago Peninsula, drive via a low road to enjoy some different scenery along the harbor. Later on, return to Port Chalmers or choose to stay in the city for some shopping before making your own way back to the port. Alternatively, upgrade your tour to include a 1-hour wildlife cruise so you can learn more as you view Otago Peninsula's unique marine wildlife.

Dunedin: Speight's Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting

3. Dunedin: Speight's Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting

Visit the oldest operational Brewery in New Zealand, and the only site to have an historic Brew Floor and state of the art Brewery housed within the same location. The Brewery is the spiritual home of New Zealand’s biggest beer brand, attracting up to 20,000 visitors per year to experience the “Pride of the South”; as one if Dunedin’s most popular tourist attractions. Enjoy over 144 years of brewing history as a guide takes you through an interactive brewery tour. Learn about the history of this Dunedin icon as you explore the brewery from top to bottom with your guide. Along the way, you will learn about the core ingredients that go into the award-winning beers. You'll also hear about the state-of-the-art brewing process used today. The tour ends with a tasting, where you'll get to enjoy samples of the beer as your knowledgeable guides talk you through the different styles and flavors in the range. Our Brewery Shop range an extensive collection of Speight’s merchandise and the Cellar Door offers the ability to purchase fresh beer directly from the Brewery – a unique opportunity to take away a flavoursome souvenir.

All in Dunedin - Nature & City Tour

4. All in Dunedin - Nature & City Tour

Explore New Zealand's most fascinating wee city from the comfort of a modern spacious mini bus. Your expert local guide will escort you from the soaring spires to the sweeping beaches, filling you in on the cities fascinating history and natural world along the way. Conquer the world's steepest street and admire the world renowned Dunedin Railway Station, while exploring the wonderfully preserved historic centre. Then take a relaxed drive down the scenic "bay road" where you will encounter the wonderful wildlife, rugged coastlines and expansive views of the Otago Peninsula, known as New Zealand's wildlife capital. Experience the highlights of Dunedin in comfort with an expert local guide, before being dropped off at your chosen location.

Dunedin: Distillery Tour with Gin & Spirit Tasting

5. Dunedin: Distillery Tour with Gin & Spirit Tasting

Discover the secrets of No8 artisan spirits. Julien is the mad guru behind the spirits. He is the distillation of three generations of distillation. Hear the stories behind No8's 4th generation distiller, as you are guided around the distillery to see the process of making our fine Gins, Rums and Liqueurs in Otepoti | Dunedin. At No8 Distillery, sustainability is at the core of every decision we make. From launching our wild range of organic spirits crafted from 100% NZ local products, to foraging for unique botanicals like Horopito, Tarata, and Kawakawa, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact at every stage of the business At the end of the guided distillery tour, finish off with tasting 8 different award-winning spirits to get those taste buds going.

From Dunedin: Royal Albatross Centre & Otago Peninsula Tour

6. From Dunedin: Royal Albatross Centre & Otago Peninsula Tour

Experience Dunedin and Otago Peninsula on a small group tour with plenty of flexibility and personalized attention. Begin your journey by meeting your tour guide between 9 - 9:30 AM at 2 meeting points in Dunedin and Port Chalmers. Then enjoy a 20-minute scenic drive with photo stops around Dunedin City. Some highlights include the world's steepest street, viewpoints, and strolling around the botanic gardens.  After the city sightseeing, sit back to enjoy the most breathtaking scenery of Otago Peninsula along Highcliff Road with various stops for photo opportunities.  After your 1-hour scenic drive, stop at the end of the Peninsula at The Royal Albatross Centre. Here you will immerse yourself in a 1-hour guided tour to learn all about Royal Albatross - one of the world's biggest seabirds. The tour starts with a short introduction about The Royal Albatross before a short walk up a slight slope to the viewing platform to view Royal Albatross breeding colony.  After a break on Otago peninsula, drive along a low road to enjoy some different scenery, along the harbor. Then be returned to the meeting point to enjoy the rest of your afternoon.

New Zealand: eSIM Mobile Data Plan

7. New Zealand: eSIM Mobile Data Plan

Make your trip to New Zealand hassle-free with a convenient eSIM data package. Stay connected on your travels with high-speed coverage in New Zealand. Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere. Choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and, if needed, top-up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin immediately according to your selected duration. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): 3gnet Local operator info: New Zealand: 2Degrees Australia: Optus

Dunedin Self-Guided Audio Tour

8. Dunedin Self-Guided Audio Tour

Download our app or a vibrant MP3 self-guided audio tour combined with a fully detailed map of the area of your tour. Enjoy the culturally rich history in the city of Dunedin, where it was first discovered by Scottish pioneers. This city is very much like Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh and boasts many historical buildings and some of the steepest streets in New Zealand and is home to the steepest street in the world. In this audio tour, you’ll see stunning cathedrals like St Paul's Anglican Cathedral and you will be able to relax in the tranquil Chinese Garden and witness the magnificent Flemish-style Old Railway Station, which is New Zealand's most photographed building. You will also see the city's famous Octagon, the First Church of Otago, the Law Courts, the Otago Settler's Museum, and the Speights Brewery. Optional additions include St Josephs Cathedral, St Dominic's Priory and the Fortune Theatre if you have time. Your tour. Your way.

Emerson's Brewery Tour

9. Emerson's Brewery Tour

Whether you’re into science, history, machinery, or (most likely) beer, the Emerson’s brewery tour is a must do in Dunedin. The tour gives you a behind the scenes look at our state-of-the-art 5000L brewery, and 1200L workshop. We take you through every step of the brew process, from the malt room, right through to the fermentation, bottling, and most importantly, the tasting. And as if that’s not enough, you get to do it all in an attractive, high-visibility waistcoat. Tours take around one hour, though you can finish the tasting tray in your own time.

Dunedin: Gin & Spirit Tasting Tour

10. Dunedin: Gin & Spirit Tasting Tour

Discover the world of fine spirits at No8 distillery, a must do while visiting Dunedin. Experience 5 award-winning spirits crafted from 100% NZ local products, to foraging for unique botanicals like Horopito, Tarata, and Kawakawa At No8 Distillery, sustainability is at the core of every decision we make and we are committed to reducing our environmental impact at every stage of the business.

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What people are saying about Dunedin

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 133 reviews

It was an interesting tour the tour guy gave clear n understanding instruction lots of interesting fact so amazing how back in 1876 when all came about n the representing of the stars on the 3 men n enjoyed the story n how it was all made what was used very fun I would d again

A very good alternative to the E-sim You have to manage internet use so as not to "waste" your Go plan, otherwise it can cause surprises. We had rented a scooter but could not return it because no longer enough package we had to come back to the hotel to have wifi

VERY interesting experience, from the history of Speight’s through to the complex process of manufacturing beer + very generous tastings.

Well worth the time, samples very generous. Bring your passport if you look under 25 and want to have a beer.

Very helpful and accommodating even though we booked the wrong date.