City Highlights, Larnach Castle Gardens & Olveston Guided Tour
Explore Dunedin’s heritage and the spectacular scenery of the Otago Peninsula on this relaxed six-hour small-group tour. Cruise passengers are collected from Port Chalmers, while independent travellers join the tour in the Octagon in central Dunedin.
Discover some of the city’s best-known landmarks, including Baldwin Street, panoramic viewpoints, the University of Otago, the First Church of Otago and the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station.
Continue across the Otago Peninsula via scenic Highcliff Road, enjoying sweeping views of the harbour, ocean, bays and surrounding countryside. Visit the beautifully maintained Larnach Castle Gardens and admire the impressive exterior of New Zealand’s only castle.
A highlight of the tour is a 60-minute guided visit to Olveston Historic Home. Built for the Theomin family in 1906 and gifted to the city in 1966, Olveston remains remarkably unchanged, with its original furnishings, artworks and personal possessions still in place.
This beautifully preserved home offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a prosperous Dunedin family during the early 20th century.
TOUR AT GLANCE
Duration: Approximately 6 hours
Price: From NZD 290 per person*
Departure points: Port Chalmers Cruise Terminal for cruise passengers or the Octagon in central Dunedin for independent travellers
Group size: Up to 18 guests on busy cruise-ship days, with considerably smaller groups on most non-cruise days
Includes: Comfortable transport, an experienced local driver-guide, bottled water, admission and a one-hour guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, and entry to Larnach Castle Gardens
Please note: Entry to the interior of Larnach Castle is not included but may be added as an optional upgrade
An additional booking fee applies. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.
TOUR DETAILS
Meet Your Guide
For cruise passengers, your guide will meet you at 9.00 am in the tour waiting area at Port Chalmers Cruise Terminal, located between doors 1 and 2. The tour departs at 9.30 am, or earlier if all guests have arrived.
Independent travellers will be collected from the Octagon in central Dunedin, outside the Dunedin Visitor Centre. Please check the departure time shown for your chosen date when booking.
Discover Dunedin
Begin with a scenic drive into Dunedin, with opportunities to enjoy views of Otago Harbour along the way.
Visit Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street, before continuing to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the city. Enjoy a relaxed guided stroll through the Dunedin Upper Botanic Garden, known for its towering rhododendrons and aviaries housing native New Zealand birds.
Travel through the historic Northern Cemetery and hear stories about notable figures buried there, including William Larnach and Thomas Bracken.
Continue to the University of Otago, the First Church of Otago and the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station.
Olveston Historic Home
Join a one-hour guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, one of Dunedin’s finest heritage attractions.
Built for the Theomin family and gifted to the city with its original contents, Olveston offers a remarkable glimpse into the life of a prosperous Dunedin family in the early 20th century. Explore its beautifully preserved rooms, original furnishings, artworks and personal possessions.
Explore the Otago Peninsula
Leave the city and travel across the Otago Peninsula via spectacular Highcliff Road. Enjoy sweeping views of the harbour, ocean, bays and surrounding countryside, with photographic stops along the way.
Larnach Castle Gardens
Spend approximately one to one-and-a-half hours exploring Larnach Castle Gardens and admiring the castle’s impressive exterior.
Entry to the castle building is not included, as this tour focuses on the original, beautifully preserved interior of Olveston Historic Home. However, an optional upgrade to visit inside Larnach Castle may be available when booking.
You can also purchase drinks, lunch or a light snack from the castle café. Food and drinks are at your own expense.
Return Journey
Return along Portobello Road beside Otago Harbour, enjoying a different perspective of the peninsula. Cruise passengers will be returned directly to Port Chalmers with sufficient time before their ship’s departure.
The itinerary and its order may be adjusted when necessary due to road closures, weather conditions, late cruise-ship arrivals, early departures or other circumstances beyond our control.
If a cruise ship is scheduled to arrive later than usual, the tour’s departure time may be adjusted accordingly. Please select “Book Now” to check the correct time for your chosen date.