Dunedin, settled in the 1850's by Scottish immigrants, still retains its Gaelic character, full of impressive stone buildings and also home to Otago University, one of the counrties leading acedemic institutions. The Cruise Ships berth at Port Chalmers, a short distance from the city centre. The wildlife sanctuaries of the  Penguins and Albatross, are popular tour destinations out on the Otago Peninsular.  Visit the only castle in New Zealand, Larnach Castle.  Take the Taieri Gorge rail trip from the impressive train station, or maybe indulge yourself at Cadburys Chocolate factory or the Speights Brewery, both offer tours and tastings.

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Discover New Zealand's only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. 200 workmen spent three years building the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world.

The Castle is still privately owned and cared for by the Barker family who are celebrating their 40th anniversary at the Castle in 2007. This superbly crafted building with magnificent architecture showcases a unique collection of New Zealand antiques, with a tragic and scandalous history. Spectacular tower views and beautiful gardens complete this enjoyable award winning experience. Boutique Lodge accommodation is available in the Castle gardens. Weddings, Balls, Functions and Celebrations are held in the beautiful 3000 square foot Ballroom.

Olveston House

Olveston is an eloquent expression of one man's dream. A tour of Olveston allows an intimate glimpse of the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's. It reflects a lifestyle enjoyed by just a few, but represents a most important piece in the mosaic of early New Zealand life as a whole. Visitors are very conscious of the family throughout the home, enjoying and experiencing the many treasures that were an integral part of the family's day-to-day life.

Olveston captures this lifestyle completely. There is no more accurate or definitive example in New Zealand. Olveston was designed for David Theomin by London architect, Sir Ernest George (1839-1922) and built between 1904 and 1906. The Jacobean style grace and grandeur of Olveston is distinguished by a wealth of decorative detail.

Dunedin Chinese Garden

The Dunedin Chinese Garden is only 1 of 3 authentic Chinese gardens in the world outside of China. It is an example of a late Ming / early Ching Dynasty Scholar's Garden. All of the building materials and garden elements- roof tiles, lattice work, lake rocks and granite paving stones have been prefabricated in Shanghai and shipped to Dunedin along with other building materials. It is a place of tranquility and beauty and unique in New Zealand.

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The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head, on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, is the only mainland breeding colony for any albatross species found in the southern hemisphere. The first Taiaroa-reared albatross chick flew in 1938 and this now protected nature reserve has grown into an established colony with a population of around 140 birds. The sight of a soaring albatross is unforgettable - held aloft on slim wings up to 3 metres (9'6") across, the great Albatross is capable of swooping speeds of more than 115kph. Viewing these majestic seabirds in their natural environment is not to be missed. Visitors to the Royal Albatross Centre can view the interpretative wildlife displays, learn of the historical use of the area and experience the famous Beneath the peaceful nature reserve lie the tunnels of Fort Taiaroa, established over 100 years ago to counter the anticipated threat of invasion from Tsarist Russia. View the only working-order Armstrong Disappearing Gun (1886) of its type left in the world.

Welcome to one of the world's best Museums! Discover the richness and vibrancy of the southern region through outstanding collections covering culture, nature and science. Whether you have an hour to spare or a day to enjoy, you'll find something to inspire, enlighten or excite you.  World class collections within the Culture theme of the Otago Museum provide a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the material cultures of Oceania and the wider world! We have internationally significant ethnographic material from New Zealand, Oceania and further afield. This includes arguably the best collections of southern Maori material, Pacific Island statues rarely seen elsewhere, including the extremely rare Easter Island Statue, examples of the world's earliest forms of writing and a collection of ship builders' models considered to be among the finest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Still on the site that it has occupied since 1876, Speight's Brewery has become one of Dunedin and Otago's biggest icons. The Speight's brand is not only the 'Pride of the South' but now one of New Zealand's most loved beers.
The Speight's Heritage Centre is a first class informative tour through the working brewery and museum of Speight's - a passionate part of every "Southern Man's" heart and culture.
The one and a half hour guided tour takes you back in time to the cobblestone streets of the past and the origin of the Speight's' brewery in 1876. Visitors not only get to see, smell, touch and taste the ingredients that make "The Pride of the South" but will learn about the antiquity of beer from Babylonian times through to the introduction of beer in New Zealand and the story of our very own Speight's Brewery. No tour would be complete without meeting our very own "Southern Men" and tasting a selection of Speight's finest beers fresh from the brewery in the Heritage Bar.

The Taieri Gorge Limited train is Dunedin's prestige tourist train operating from the historic Railway Station.  It's history is both the history of the Otago Central Railway and of the Otago Excursion Train Trust, which ran it's first excursion train on the railway in 1979 and became so succesful that they bought 60 kms of the railway when it closed in 1990, forming todays company and its operations.
Departing daily (except Christmas day) it takes you on a journey through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge, across wrought iron viaducts and through tunnels carved by hand more than 100 years ago. With full commentary, photographic stops, comfortable heating in winter and on board refreshments the train offers year round, all-weather entertainment. You can make the return journey to Pukerangi, or Middlemarch, or use the train as the one leg of your journey to or from Queenstown and Central Otago on our connecting `Track & Trail' coach.

Welcome to Penguin Place, home of the Yellow Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve. Our informative guided tours offer you the opportunity to visit a working conservation programme and photograph the Yellow Eyed Penguin, undisturbed and at close range through a unique system of tunnels and hides. With your support we are able to replant their breeding habitat, build nesting sites, trap predators, care for sick and injured penguins and carry out our own research programme.
It is hoped that through this work, the future of this rare and wonderful Yellow Eyed Penguin will be assured. All tours are guided in small groups of up to 15 people Large groups can be accommodated by pre-booking Summer (October – March) Tours depart every 30 minutes from 10:15am until 90 minutes prior to sunset Winter (April – September) Tours depart every 30 minutes from 3:15pm until 4:45

Come to Natures Wonders and take your place on a memorable one hour soft adventure tour in specially designed 8-wheel vehicles with all profits going to conservation work to help save the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins. First stop is the mythical "Maori Footprint" offering stunning panoramic views then on to a breeding colony of  Spotted Shags (in season).

Next, a very close encounter with a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur seals and their pups. Finally visiting a purpose built hide at Penguin Beach to view little blue penguins in their nests (in season) and rare Yellow-Eyed penguins in their nest or on the beach. Tours from 10.15am daily with a driver / guide. Bookings Essential. Conditions Apply.

An unforgettable experience awaits, the highlight of your Dunedin visit!  Be fascinated and exhilarated with the wealth of wildlife, dramatic views, so close, so natural – the only way to see it all – Otago Peninsula, Otago Harbour, Taiaroa Head with three time New Zealand Tourism Award winners Monarch Cruises. Unrivalled wildlife viewing in its natural environment Northern Royal Albatross, blue penguins, terns, petrels, fur seals and more.

In addition to this teeming wildlife you could also see other types of albatross, sea-lions, dolphins and whales while close offshore, flocks of Sooty Shearwaters feed among other shearwaters, mollymawks and many other pelagic species. See yellow-eyed penguins up close. Take a One Hour Cruise, Half Day Cruise/Tour option or a Full Day Premier Peninsula Package. "Otago Peninsula was described by internationally acclaimed environmentalist Dr David Bellamy "as the finest example of eco tourism in the world"

Otago Settlers Museum

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Kia ora. Haere mai and welcome to the Otago Settlers Museum History The museum was established in 1898 - the 50th anniversary of the founding of Dunedin city and the Otago Province - and continues to flourish as one of New Zealand's most significant social history museums. Originally created to tell the story of the early British settlers to this region, the Museum now celebrates all the peoples of Otago including indigenous Maori, the Chinese who came initially to work the goldfields in the 19th century, and successive waves of migrant groups, including those from Lebanon, Poland, Holland, the Pacific Islands and many parts of Asia. Otago's history includes an impressive record of technological innovation; changes in everyday life over time; and the way in which transportation enriched and enlivened our region are just some of the other stories we tell. The Museum buildings are themselves worth a visit, both the original Edwardian galleries and the classic Art Deco building of Dunedin's former NZR Road Transport Building.

Cadbury World

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A sensation in sight, smell and sound. Experience the mystique of a working chocolate factory, sample and purchase Cadbury products and much more. Cadbury World is located in the centre of Dunedin city at the Cadbury Factory site. The Visitors Centre is a colourful and educational environment with chocolate themed displays where you can learn about the history of Cadbury and chocolate through the ages. Then take a fun filled and fascinating guided tour around the Cadbury Dunedin chocolate factory and sample Cadbury product along the way! Included is a visit to the unique chocolate fall housed in a five storey high, decommissioned crumb silo. At the end of your Factory Tour, you'll be invited to browse through the Cadbury World Store. Here you can choose from a wide range of special products including chocolates, clothing, hats, bags, toys, novelty items and many souvenirs. Take away delicious Cadbury chocolates and something special along with a lasting memory of your experience at Cadbury World.