Dunedin, Otago Peninsula Scenery & guided Albatross Tour
Experience the best of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on this 6-hour small-group tour. Discover city highlights including Baldwin Street, Dunedin Botanic Garden and the historic Railway Station, followed by a spectacular scenic drive across the Otago Peninsula. The highlight is a one-hour guided experience at the Royal Albatross Centre, home to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of northern royal albatross.
TOUR AT A GLANCE
Duration: Approximately 6 hours
Price: From NZD 320 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 and a one-hour guided tour at the Royal Albatross Centre
*An additional booking fee applies.
TOUR DETAILS
Meet Your Guide
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.
Discover Dunedin
Begin with a scenic drive into Dunedin, stopping at some of the city’s best-known attractions. Highlights include Baldwin Street, panoramic viewpoints, Dunedin Botanic Garden and the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station.
Explore the Otago Peninsula
Continue across the Otago Peninsula via spectacular Highcliff Road. Enjoy sweeping views of the harbour, bays and surrounding countryside, with several stops for photographs along the way.
Royal Albatross Centre
At Taiaroa Head, join a one-hour guided experience at the Royal Albatross Centre. After an introduction, take a short uphill walk to the observatory overlooking the breeding colony. Here, you will learn about the northern royal albatross and may see these magnificent seabirds soaring above the headland or nesting within the colony.
The Royal Albatross Centre experience is shared with other visitors. As the albatrosses are wild, sightings and activity vary with the season and weather conditions.
Lunch
Time for lunch is limited. Your guide will provide an opportunity to purchase a sandwich or snack during the tour. Lunch is at your own expense.
Accessibility
The guided Albatross Centre experience includes a short uphill walk. A mobility scooter may be available by prior arrangement. Please contact us before booking if you have limited mobility so we can discuss the suitability of the tour and request assistance if required.
Return Journey
Return along Portobello Road, following the edge of Otago Harbour and enjoying a different perspective of the peninsula. Cruise passengers will be returned directly to Port Chalmers by approximately 3.30 pm, with plenty of time before their ship’s departure.
The itinerary and its order may be adjusted when necessary due to road closures, weather conditions, changes to cruise-ship schedules or other circumstances beyond our control.