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Dunedin City, Wildlife and Larnach Castle
Explore spectacular Dunedin city and Otago Peninsula on this full-day small group tour. Visit Baldwin St (steepest street in the world), the University of Otago and Dunedin’s famous Scottish heritage sites. Then we will travel alongside the picturesque Otago harbor and take a lunch break at Ballroom Café and visit the beautiful and historic Larnach Castle and Castle garden. We then drive through typically rugged and beautiful Otago wilderness to Hoopers Inlet swamp and near by Allans Beach to observe the unique birdlife and wildlife. We then drive to Taiaroa Head to visit the blue fairy penguin colony at Pilot Beach and the albatross sanctuary.
Clearwater Wildlife - Small Guided Tours (10 max) Otago Peninsula
Fewer People. More Wildlife. A chance to see Yellow-eyed Penguins, NZ sealions, NZ fur seals, Albatross and a wide variety of birdlife, in their natural habitat. Your small, guided tour, of no more than 10 people, will take you to our spectacular, secluded beach. Our private conservation reserve area is on our historic family farm, at Cape Saunders, on the Otago Peninsula. A wild, and untamed, dramatic environment that we are lucky enough to share with some of New Zealand's rarest species. The Clearwater family has deep roots here and is devoted to preserving and enhancing its pristine beauty. Become a part of our shared commitment to protect its natural wildlife habitats. One of the most beautiful coastal headlands and beaches in NZ" Ahipara Luxury Travel NZ
City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula Views
Enjoy a guided tour of Dunedin city, take in the highlights and enjoy a café lunch in a lovely garden setting. This 5 hour tour explores the city before heading out onto the stunning Otago peninsula. A visit to Larnach Castle , New Zealand's only castle is a must see. There is a café here which has tea coffee and a variety of food on offer. Then spend the rest of the visit enjoying the very extensive gardens. (Admission to the gardens is included. The tour inside castle can be booked and paid on the day). During the tour you will view some outstanding scenery that we have on offer here in paradise (AKA Dunedin). There are fantastic photo opportunities during the tour.
Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience
If you are a visitor that truly wants to see and understand the unique ecosystems, wildlife, culture, geology and botany of the Otago Peninsula then join this tour. A tour designed by the Otago Peninsula's longest serving wildlife ranger. We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (Note: seasonal). At Pukekura we have a good chance to see seals nearby & albatross flying overhead. Later we join our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour, see the world's smallest penguin emerging from the sea and walking past us just metres away. Note: Others join us for this experience (max 75) PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash) Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony. Equally we are committed to making our tours one of the most memorable experiences visitors to New Zealand can have. We were Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022.
Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
See up to 200 blue penguins returning from sea in the evening! (Generally more penguins are seen over the spring/summer than our autumn or winter months, but we guarantee to see penguins every night!! In the non-breeding months of March to August we often see 20-50 birds each night, however on rare occasions we might see fewer than 10 birds). Extremely close viewing of these birds. Learn about the Māori history of this significant site. Tour includes a special "behind the scenes" look at the reserve and penguin habitat. We are the only blue penguin evening tours that allows photography (but no flash photography) Voted in the top 10 experiences in New Zealand (TripAdvisor 2022). Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists. Other wildlife often seen (e.g., seals, sealions, albatross)
Small-Group Dunedin Wildlife Cruise
Small group tours, fast custom built vessel. Rachel, owner/operator/skipper has had 18 +years experience skippering and operating commercial vessels in the area. And 14 + years guiding experience. Comfortable cushioned, warm, enclosed cabin, or open outer deck seating. Approx 2 hours duration, if joining from Portobello. Or 1.5 hours if joining from Port Chalmers. -Fully commentated. -Quality binoculars provided. -We pass by the historic Quarantine Stations and old shipwrecks. -See and learn about the fishing boats, workboats, dredges and ships as we pass Port Chalmers and Careys Bay. -View wading birds and look for penguins sea lions and shags as we cruise past roosting and feeding areas. -See/learn about the historic pilots houses, search light and gun emplacements and the old whaling stations. -We cruise around Taiaroa Head, exploring the shallow bays to view fur seals and nesting colonies of shags, albatross, sea birds, marine mammals such as dolphins and more
Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide
A tour with Gregor is like no other. Emerging business award finalist, Tales From Darkest Dunedin and Gregor Campbell, respected historian and expert story teller has been uncovering forgotten events and people in Dunedin's history. He has been featured in newspapers for his finds and recently on the cover of New Zealand Heritage Magazine for his cemetery tours. Gregor is particularly interested in colonial history, the exchanges between Māori Kāi Tahu, the Scottish and the everyday people that came to make a life here, for better or for worse. And now he's your tour guide! Gregor's stories of murder, shipwrecks, discovery, heroes and villains are exclusive to Tales From Darkest Dunedin and weave together to give a greater picture of our city and the lives that brought it to where it is today.
Otago Peninsula Scenery and Dunedin City Highlights Tour
Start at Port Chalmers to experience the beauty of Dunedin on a fantastic 5 hour tour of rich heritage, spectacular scenery. You will experience gorgeous and memorable landscape of Otago Peninsula with amazing string of rugged beaches, bays and wildlife. Your knowledgeable guide will show you the most breathtaking views and take you closer to nature and its wildlife. Spend some free time at Royal Albatross Centre: this place offers the world's only mainland colony of Royal Albatross. Here you have the option to either take lunch, explore the visitor center or wander outside (since it's generally pretty windy, you are likely to see flying the largest seabirds!) or watch lazy seals. You will stop at the world's steepest street, First Church, Railway station and will have some free time to explore internationally significant and the oldest botanic garden in New Zealand. The tour is designed only for a small group, to enjoy flexibility, comfort and personalized attention.
Water Taxi and Shuttle to Larnach Castle
The quickest and most fun option to get to see New Zealands only castle. A fast water taxi ride across the beautiful Otago Harbour to Macandrew Bay, a small seaside village on the Otago Peninsula. Here you transfer to our 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. You'll then be brought back down to the harbour, for your second water taxi ride into Steamer Basin, in the heart of Dunedin. From Steamer Basin it's a short 5 minute walk to the iconic Dunedin Railway Station and Toitu, the Settlers Museum. This is also the departure point for the Cruise ship shuttles that return to Port. Please note - Trips from 8.30 am - 10.30 am leave from Back Beach, Port Chalmers. Trips from 11.00 and later leave from Steamer Basin, Dunedin city.
Otago Peninsula and Larnach Castle Tour FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
We are a well known tour guiding company in Dunedin. We offer a small group tour of the highest quality, branded vehicles and great fun guides and drivers. We always will have you back to your cruise ship in plenty of time and guarantee this fact. We love a relaxed journey where we start as strangers and end as friends and we cannot wait to show you our city. Whether your with Bex or one of the crew one thing is for sure your tour will be a blast! PLEASE note our vehicles range from 9 - 22 seaters so groups will be no larger than that
Attractions in Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula
- Central Otago
- Larnach Castle
- Dunedin Railway Station
- Penguin Place
- Royal Albatross Centre
- Baldwin Street
- The Octagon
- Olveston Historic Home
- Taieri Gorge Railway
- Signal Hill
- Dunedin
- Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
- Dunedin Cruise Port (Port Chalmers)
- McLean Falls
- Tūhura Otago Museum