Dunedin Shore Excursion: Castle, Gardens & Museum

Four stops, one morning: castle grounds, Shanghai artisans' garden, and a museum of 100,000 objects

A 7-hour shore excursion from Port Chalmers combines a Dunedin city sights tour with guided access to Larnach Castle, the Chinese Garden and the Otago Early Settlers Museum. The tour departs at 9am and returns before the ship leaves port. A local guide leads the group through Otago University, the Botanical Gardens, historic buildings and Baldwin Street (the world's steepest street), then moves to the castle for its history and grounds, the Chinese Garden built by Shanghai artisans, and finally the museum's collection spanning Otago's settlement to the present day. Lunch is at your own expense. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise port are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dunedin Cruise Portpassing by
2. Larnach Castle1h 30m · entry included
3. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum1h · entry included

Dunedin and Otago Peninsula tour

• Depart Port Chalmers at 9:00am
• City sights tour of Dunedin
• Guided tour of Larnach Castle and gardens
• Lunch at Larnach Castle (own expense)
• Visit Dunedin’s Chinese Garden
• Explore Otago Early Settlers Museum
• Return to cruise ship

The experience

The tour leaves Port Chalmers at 9am sharp, so you'll need to be ready by 8:45. The first stop is a city sights loop through Dunedin itself: Otago University, the Botanical Gardens, historic buildings, and Baldwin Street, which holds the title of world's steepest street. The driver points out landmarks and stops for photos, then heads out to the Otago Peninsula where Larnach Castle sits on a commanding vantage point.

Larnach Castle was built in 1871 and is New Zealand's only castle. A guided tour walks you through the building's scandalous, exciting and tragic history while you take in the interior and the gardens, which are of international significance. The grounds offer views across the peninsula. There's time for lunch here at your own expense before the group moves on.

Back in Dunedin, you visit the Chinese Garden: an authentic recreation built by artisans and craftsmen from Shanghai, Dunedin's sister city. It was created as a permanent recognition of the Chinese people who arrived during the 1880s gold rush and stayed to build businesses in Otago. Adjacent to the gardens, the Otago Early Settlers Museum holds over 100,000 items spanning the region's character, culture, technology, art, fashion and transport from before European settlement to today. The tour returns you to the cruise port in time for departure.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.
• guided tour of Larnach Castle and its gardens.
• entry to the Chinese Garden.
• entry to the Otago Early Settlers Museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leisure Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs a fixed 7-hour schedule with four stops and a local guide, which is what keeps the castle, gardens and museum all inside a single port call: timing, transport and entry are arranged so you don't have to build the day yourself or worry about missing the ship.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 13 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Larnach Castle and why is it significant?

Larnach Castle, built in 1871, is New Zealand's only castle. The guided tour covers its scandalous and tragic history while you explore the interior and the castle's internationally significant gardens, which command views across the Otago Peninsula.

What will I see during the Dunedin city sights portion?

The city tour includes Otago University, the Botanical Gardens, historic buildings, and Baldwin Street: known as the world's steepest street. The driver stops for photo opportunities at each landmark.

Who built the Chinese Garden and when was it created?

The Chinese Garden was crafted by artisans and craftsmen from Shanghai, Dunedin's sister city. It was built as a permanent recognition of the Chinese people who came to Otago during the 1880s gold rush and established businesses in the region.

How much time do I have at the Otago Early Settlers Museum?

The museum visit is included after the Chinese Garden. The museum holds over 100,000 items covering Otago's history from before European settlement to the present, including culture, technology, art, fashion and transport.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included and is at your own expense. There is time to eat at Larnach Castle before the group departs for the Chinese Garden and museum.

What time does the tour return to the cruise port?

The tour is timed to return you to Port Chalmers before the ship's departure. Departure is at 9am and the full excursion is 7 hours, so you'll be back with time to spare.