Cruises to Dunedin Port Chalmers

New Zealand

Dunedin (Port Chalmers)

What’s not to love about gorgeous Dunedin? Set inside an extinct volcano and the site of a gold rush, Dunedin is one of the most important cities in New Zealand’s history - and there’s an endless list of things to do while visiting on a P&O New Zealand cruise. Admire the highlights in high style at a collection of glorious mansions dating back to the Victorian era. Take a shore tour in the comfort of a sleek 1960s Jaguar or Daimler.

Glimpse the Otago Peninsula wildlife, including the splendid northern royal albatross, while kayaking Otago Harbour, or step back in time with one of the finest collections of Maori artefacts on display at the Otago Museum. Have a look at the many wonderful shore tours available with P&O: 

Taieri Gorge Railway

The Taieri Gorge Railway shore tour is one of Dunedin’s top attractions. The exclusive train with heritage carriages takes a spectacular and breathtaking journey through some of the country’s most rugged and dramatic terrain. Travel along the eastern shores of Otago Harbour to Dunedin’s impressive railway station, then to the fertile Taieri Plains Sit back and relax as the train negotiates the exhilarating, narrow Taieri Gorge with cliff hugging tunnels and viaducts soaring high above the river.

Peninsula Mountain Bike

Join the Peninsula Mountain Bike shore tour for a short scenic drive along the gorgeous coastline of Otago Harbour to Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, before starting an incredible mountain bike ride to Victory Beach - perfect for those with a moderate fitness level and a love for fresh air and fresher views.

Renowned for its rugged beauty, rich marine life and significant geological features including the Pyramids, which are unusual jointed basalt formations. Your mountain bike ride from secluded Hooper’s Inlet to Victory Beach in the Okia Reserve will be a truly unique experience. The reserve is home to a variety of native fauna such as yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and endangered New Zealand sea lions. Okia is significant because it was an early ancestral living site of the Maori.

Great Houses of Dunedin

Great Houses of Dunedin is an historic shore tour exploring one of Dunedin’s great houses. At Olveston House, a historic 35 room mansion, you will be transported into another era while experiencing many treasures collected from around the world. Next visit Larnach Castle on the crown of a wooded hill overlooking Otago Harbour. Designed in Scotland, the Neo-Gothic castle took three years to build and another twelve to complete. See English tile work, Italian marble, Venetian glass, and exotic hardwoods from around the world.

Calling at Dunedin (Port Chalmers)

P&O cruises to New Zealand from either Sydney or Melbourne. All departures call at Dunedin (Port Chalmers). You can choose from Kiwi Adventure or Kiwi Explorer cruise which departs Melbourne and as well as visiting Port Chalmers (Dunedin), calls at Akaroa and Wellington and Fiordland National Park (Scenic Cruising).

At A Glance


Population

118,683 (2006 census)

Language

English and Te Reo Maori

Government

Parliamentary Democracy

Currency

New Zealand Dollar

Dunedin (Port Chalmers) Shore Tours


Most Popular

Guest favourites, the most booked Shore Tours at this port

Must See

Our handpicked Shore Tours are a must for any guest.

What To See

Beauty and wildlife of the Otago Peninsula

The Otago Peninsula is arguably New Zealand’s most renowned eco-tourism area. There are unique opportunities to view a range of wildlife including royal albatross, blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguins, as well as a variety of seals and land and water birds. There are a number of wildlife and scenic tours available, either by land or harbour cruise.

Learn about the heritage of the region

Dunedin is a picture postcard of historic buildings and houses. The city is widely regarded as having the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian heritage architecture in the southern hemisphere. Its many stunning buildings include Dunedin Railway Station, the most photographed building in New Zealand; Olveston, a historic home that provides an intimate glimpse into Dunedin lifestyle during the Edwardian era; the magnificent 130-year-old stone buildings of the University of Otago, and Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle.

Baldwin Street

Baldwin Street is the steepest street in the world. One part of the upper section has a gradient of 1 in 2.86, which tilts it at an angle of 19 degrees! There is a souvenir shop in the 1914 former Post Office where you can buy a certificate acknowledging your achievement of conquering the world’s steepest street, signed by the mayor.

Tour a chocolate factory or brewery

Those of you with a sweet tooth will be thrilled to learn that Cadbury’s New Zealand factory is located in Dunedin... and it’s open to the public! Alternatively, step back in time with a Speight’s brewery tour, dating back to 1876.

Stroll through Dunedin’s beautiful Botanic Gardens

Wander across rolling lawns and through aromatic herb gardens to the spectacular rose gardens in Dunedin’s Botanic Gardens, founded in 1868. This is a tranquil and very civilised way to take a break from the hustle and bustle.

More About Port Chalmers

DOCKING

Your ship will dock in Port Chalmers, approximately 20 kilometres from the city of Dunedin. For a small charge shuttle buses will be available to transfer you into the city. Please refer to your Pacific Daily for further information.

GETTING AROUND

Taxis are available pier-side and at designated taxi stands throughout the city.

DINING

Dunedin has a vibrant cafe and cuisine culture with restaurants, bars and cafes ranging from edgy and funky to formal and international, and everything in between. You’ll find a host of cafes and restaurants around The Octagon (an octagonal series of streets in downtown Dunedin), Lower Stuart Street, Princes Street and George Street. Look out for the world famous Dunedin cheese roll! Oozing with piping hot cheese and French onion filling, they have been a popular snack in tearooms, cafés and milk bars for more than 60 years.

Quarantine authorities do not generally allow food such as fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat products and sandwiches to be taken off the ship however commercially packaged confectionery, chips and bottled drinking water are allowed subject to inspection.

SHOPPING

Shopping is available along George Street. The various boutiques and department stores sell everything from arts and crafts to clothing, including collections from Dunedin fashion designers. Popular items to purchase include natural woollen products, native woodwork and items of Scottish heritage.

CLIMATE

Dunedin’s climate is generally dry and mild. In summer the maximum temperature will sit in the low 20’s. Occasionally Dunedin will experience four seasons in a day.

CREDIT CARDS

Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted. Automatic teller machines can provide currency to foreign card holders.

COMMUNICATION

Public telephones and internet access are available in Dunedin. Mobile coverage is generally available as long as global roaming is selected prior to leaving home.

WHAT TO WEAR ASHORE

To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, please wear comfortable flat soled shoes, lightweight clothing and a hat. You are also advised to bring sunscreen, bottled water and a warm, waterproof jacket in case it gets windy or starts to rain.

SHORE TOURS

There are a range of tours available for you to really get the most out of your time in Dunedin. Tours can be booked onboard at the shore tours desk and are subject to availability. Passengers are required to meet at a specific location for each shore tour departure. Please refer to your tour ticket for the correct time and place.

ENVIRONMENT

Please dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully.

Next Cruises To Port Chalmers

Average Temperature & Rainfall

Did You Know?

Dunedin is the world’s fifth largest city based on geographical size, and is home to some of the country’s most endangered wildlife including the rare yellow-eyed penguin and the New Zealand sea lion.