What to do and see in Dunedin, South Island: The Best Things to do for Honeymoon

April 15, 2022 Concepcion Newsome

Rare yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and the world's only mainland albatross colony share residence in Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city. When you're not watching wildlife, this South Island Otago Coast town also boasts impressive historic architecture from its days as a gold-rush mecca. Visit the 1906 Flemish Renaissance railway station or the country's largest center of higher learning, which resembles Glasgow University, thanks to the area's early Scottish settlers.
Restaurants in Dunedin

1. Elm Wildlife Tours

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5.0 based on 960 reviews

Elm Wildlife Tours

Elm Wildlife Tours are the ultimate award winning New Zealand wildlife adventure. We guide small tour groups onto the Otago Peninsula, one of the world’s unique wildlife areas to experience a close encounter with some of the world’s rarest wildlife. Royal Albatross, Hookers Sea-lions, Blue Penguins, NZ fur-seals, Yellow-eyed penguins and some15-20 species of marine/wading birds can be seen around a tidal lagoon.Our private conservation area is the highlight of our tour.

2. Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

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5.0 based on 959 reviews

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

The crew of Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours take great pride in getting our guests closer to unique southern ocean wildlife and spectacular local scenery. The Otago Peninsula and Harbour is renowned for it's breeding populations of northern royal albatross, yellow-eyed & blue penguins, NZ fur seals, sea lions, and many other wildlife species. We think cruising on the MV Monarch is the BEST way to see them.

3. Awesome Tours

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5.0 based on 198 reviews

Awesome Tours

Awesome Tours is a privately owned and operated small group tour business providing local scheduled tours, tailor made personalized multi day tours and shore excursion tours to meet your needs. These can include areas such as Milford Sound, Queenstown, West Coast, Mt Cook or the entire South Island. Day tours from Dunedin can include areas such as the Catlins and Moeraki Boulders and the Otago Peninsula. We provide small group scheduled and private shore excursion tours for cruise passengers while in Dunedin including pickup/return from/to Port, Key City Sights, Natures Wonders Argo Wildlife tours ( Yellow Eyed Penguins, NZ Fur Seals and much more) Natures Wonders authentic Sheep Shed experience, Larnach Castle and the Royal Albatross Colony.We look forward to being of service to you.

4. untamedNZ tour company

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5.0 based on 145 reviews

untamedNZ tour company

Discover the most beautiful place on earth with a small group tour. Explore Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula and lower South Island with a knowledgeable local guide and see what others miss! Choose from half-day, full-day and multi-day tours to your preferred destinations. We can customise tours to your needs and we also offer private-group tours - email us or go to our website to find out more!

5. Experience Dunedin

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5.0 based on 202 reviews

Experience Dunedin

If you are looking to do something that you are sure to tell your friends and family at home about then a tour on Experience Dunedin's custom made V8 trike is the activity for you. On the Peninsula Tour you will enjoy stunning views of the Otago Harbour and learn about Dunedin's and it's main attractions when we ride around Dunedin's town belt. Otherwise take a ride out to the seaside suburb of Brighton then enjoy the views on a ride over Saddle Hill, one of Dunedin's most iconic land marks.

6. Escape Dunedin Prison

2 Castle Street, Dunedin Old Dunedin Prison, Dunedin 9016 New Zealand +64 27 783 8811 [email protected] http://www.escapedunedin.com
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5.0 based on 29 reviews

Escape Dunedin Prison

Escape is a new activity for teams of 2-6 people. We lock you in a room and you have 60 minutes to get out. Your team will crack codes, find hidden clues and brainstorm puzzles. You must work together to succeed. We offer four authentic, immersive games at two iconic Dunedin locations. Try one, and you'll want to play them all

Reviewed By jamatty

For a first time visitor to an escape based activity I was very impressed with the whole thing. The staff member Kate was super friendly as well as SUPER helpful with hints when we got stuck. We will be returning soon with more players to enjoy the fun with

7. Larnach Castle & Gardens

145 Camp Rd Otago Peninsula, Dunedin New Zealand +64 3-476 1616 [email protected] http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz
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4.5 based on 2,841 reviews

Larnach Castle & Gardens

Discover New Zealand’s only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build 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 purchased it as their home in 1967. Decades have been spent on the Castle's restoration, with the family having restored empty buildings from ruin and assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. Open to the public throughout, this conservation project has been funded through admission fees. The family has always been committed to opening their home and sharing this significant period of Dunedin and New Zealand's history.Scandalous and tragic stories, spectacular tower views and a Garden of International Significance complete this enjoyable award-winning experience. Boutique Lodge accommodation is available in the Castle gardens. Weddings, Balls, Conferences and Celebrations are held in the beautiful 3000 square foot Ballroom. High Tea is also now served daily in the Ballroom at 3pm

Reviewed By pirate013

A must see!!!! Beautiful castle!!!! Exquisite gardens!!!! Yummy lunch!!!! Self guided tour!!!! Highly Recommend Untamednz for your private tour!!!! You won't be disappointed

8. Olveston Historic Home

42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin 9016 New Zealand +64 800 100 880 [email protected] http://www.olveston.co.nz
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4.5 based on 976 reviews

Olveston Historic Home

A 'must visit' for lovers of art, heritage and history, Olveston is lavishly furnished with exotic artefacts, prized artworks, antique furniture, ceramics and statues from around the world. The 35-room Edwardian mansion was designed for a one of Dunedin's most prominent businessmen, philanthropists and collectors during the early 1900s. The house was gifted to the people of Dunedin in 1966, fully furnished with the original contents, Olveston is a time capsule as little has changed inside the house since it was occupied as a family home. The house and its 'Garden of National Significance', within the city's Green Belt, can be experienced at 42 Royal Terrace, within walking distance of Dunedin's Octagon. Entry inside the house is by guided tour only (1 hour, max. 15 People per group). Tours commence daily at: 9.30am, 10.45am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm. Group bookings available at a time to suit the group - available on request. Tours are conducted in English. Mandarin, Cantonese, German, French, Japanese and Dutch speaking guides are available for groups on request. The gardens, listed as a New Zealand Gardens Trust 'Garden of National Significance' and the gift shop are open daily and free to the public.

Reviewed By TranquilityAustralia

We loved our short visit to this wonderful historic house. A very interesting insight into times gone by. It has the feeling of being just as it always was and someone has just stepped out and allowed you to be a voyeur into their home.

9. Penguin Place

45 Pakihau Road Otago Peninsula, Dunedin 9077 New Zealand +64 3-478 0286 [email protected] http://www.penguinplace.co.nz
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4.5 based on 939 reviews

Penguin Place

Penguin Place is a private conservation effort to help save the world's most endangered penguin, the Yellow Eyed Penguin. Visitors are taken on guided walking tours through a unique system of trenches and hides to view the penguins undisturbed at close range. Penguin Place is funded 100% by the support of our visitors, this funding enables habitat restoration, predator control, a research programme and on-site rehabilitation for sick, starving and wounded penguins. It is our hope that through our efforts, the future of this rare and wonderful penguin will be assured.

Reviewed By fairrosaline - Nairobi, Kenya

This is a great chance to visit and learn about the world’s most endangered penguin while supporting their hospital and habitat. You’ll get to see the penguins very close up in the hospital area and then see a few in their natural habitat on the gorgeous coast of Otago Peninsula. So cute! We also saw seals and very cool native birds, as well as a couple little blue penguins in nesting boxes. There’s a bit of walking and a few inclines on the hills- elderly folks in our group did not have issues, but the last part of the tour is not wheel chair friendly. You can self drive to this place easily via the scenic peninsula or take a wildlife tour or cruise that includes it.

10. Taieri Gorge Railway

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4.5 based on 2,067 reviews

Taieri Gorge Railway

Please note: Dunedin Railways is in hibernation until further notice. During this time no train services will be operating. A highlight of your visit to Dunedin is a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway - one of the world's great train trips and one of Dunedin's top attractions. Departing daily from downtown Dunedin into the Taieri Gorge, this trip travels through some of New Zealand's most beautiful and ever changing scenery which can not seen from the road! With sightseeing stops, on board cafe, outside viewing platforms it is the perfect all weather activity and one of the key attractions in Dunedin - not to be missed.

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