Toitu Otago Settlers Museum

The stories Gregor researches have rarely been heard before. They are the culmination of years of research and are exclusive to Tales From Darkest Dunedin. Darkest Dunedin has an extensive knowledge of the area and its history so you'll walk away feeling like a local and just as welcome!

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 8.30am – 10.30am and the 11.30am trip leave from Back Beach, Port Chalmers. Trips from 11.00 and 12.10pm leave from Steamer Basin, Dunedin city.

This tour is one you design yourself. Use our timetable and descriptions of venues to decide where you want to hop off. Then when you're there, most venues have special discounts for you as a passenger on Hop on Hop off. If you’re not a drinker then there is still plenty on offer with a fantastic range of other activities such as museums, bike tours, chocolate shop, and amazing food to be sampled. • Get to your choice of some of Marlborough's best wineries safely and with ease • Great way to go wine tasting without a car or designated driver • Choice of a half-day afternoon or full-day ticket • Flexibility to customize your itinerary to your own preferences

Discover Dunedin at your own pace with our self-guided audio tour. Explore Dunedin's culturally significant sights, including the fascinating Octagon and the iconic Old Railway Station. Our audio guide allows you to uncover the city's rich history and vibrant culture at your leisure. Download the Citywalksz APP, put on your headphones, and start your journey. Learn about Dunedin’s Scottish heritage, its transformation into a bustling city, and its unique local landmarks. The tour takes about two hours, but you can pause anytime to shop or take breaks. Perfect for tourists looking to experience Dunedin on foot, this tour offers flexibility and deep insights into the city's past. Things to note before booking: 1. No admission fees or physical guide included. 2. Available only in English. 3. Tour downloading instructions are in the "Before You Go" section of your ticket.

A unique opportunity to experience the very best Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula has to offer. This shore excursion combines sightseeing of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula with a guided tour of the stunning Larnach Castle and its grounds. Also included is Dunedin’s Chinese Gardens: an authentic Chinese Garden crafted by a team of artisans and craftsman from Dunedin’s sister city of Shanghai. Adjacent to the gardens, explore the Otago Early Settlers Museum with emphasis on the early settlement of Otago.

This is an educational tour where we dive into the human history of New Zealand. Discussing how Polynesians (Māori) navigated to New Zealand with pin-point accuracy from Islands thousands of kilometers away. We explore all the key sights of Dunedin on a modern, comfortable mini bus on this small group tour. Starting at the Octagon, we pass several iconic buildings as we leave Central Dunedin including St Paul’s Cathedral, Otago Boys High School, First Church and the Dunedin Railway Station before arriving high up on the Otago Peninsula for scenic viewpoints. We venture to St Kilda and St Clair surf beaches where we break for a light lunch. Then it's past the botanic gardens to visit Baldwin Street, the World’s steepest street. Our final stop is the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest university, where we take a guided walk around a collection of beautiful old iconic buildings before arriving at Tuhura Otago Museum.

Discover Dunedin's rich history and heritage on a two-hour walking tour starting at the Fortune Theatre. Hear fascinating stories of Dunedin's past as we stroll down Tennyson and Princes Streets. Explore the Chinese Garden and the Queens Gardens, then dive into Otago's cultural and social history at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Our journey through time concludes at the grand Dunedin Railway Station, where you'll discover its important role in the city's growth and prosperity. Join us and step back in time in Dunedin!

Join us on a fascinating two-hour walking tour of Dunedin, where we will explore the city's rich history and heritage, starting at the historic Fortune Theatre, before moving on to the Speights Ale House brewery, where you'll learn about the iconic brewery and its history in the city. From there, we'll walk to the beautiful Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden, which is an oasis of calm in the heart of the city, and hear about the Chinese community's contributions to Dunedin's culture and heritage. Our next stop will be at the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, housed in the beautifully restored Dunedin Railway Station. Finally, we'll conclude our tour with a visit to the grand Dunedin Railway Station, which is a stunning example of the city's Edwardian architecture, where we'll explore the station's role in Dunedin's growth and prosperity, and its role in transporting troops during World War I.