Top Things to do in Otago Region
What to do and see in Otago Region, South Island: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Otago Region, New Zealand including Lake Wakatipu, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Mount Aspiring National Park, Ben Lomond Track, Lake Wanaka, Roys Peak Track, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Isthmus Peak Track, Otago Museum, Signal Hill.
Restaurants in Otago Region
1. Lake Wakatipu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,061 reviews
Reviewed By 194fayh - Christchurch, New Zealand
When visiting Queenstown a "Must see & Do" is the trip on the TSS Earnslaw boat - built in 1912 a great old ship that takes you up to Walter Peak - again a beautiful old Homestead/Farm wonderful hosts - great gift shop and a sing song on the journey with Lovely Eleanor on the piano playing some great old favourite songs which all the passengers join in on the singng. wonderful adventure and a chance to meet people from around the Globe. cant wait to do it again.
2. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,058 reviews
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is a museum of social history dedicated to telling the story of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding area, whose character, culture, technology, art, fashion and transport shaped New Zealand’s first great city.Its fourteen themed galleries feature interactive displays and powerful narratives tracing the human history of the area, from the earliest settlers to the most recent arrivals.Captivating exhibitions are complemented by an on site shop and café. A well-equipped research centre and archive is available for those interested in genealogy and other aspects of local history.
Reviewed By Xin-Fang - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The museum is located next to the Dunedin Railway Station. Free entry (charges may apply to special exhibition) but donations are appreciated. There is a gift shop and a coffee shop near to the reception counter. Toilets are available. We were given a map to show us the route of visit. Starting from Josephine, first train on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Line in 1873, to the Dunedin Goes Digital (technology development and use in Dunedin and Otago), there are about 17 sections for one to explore. After the exit, it will lead to the Dunedin Chinese Garden (with admission fee). In the museum, there are several sections whereby touchable exhibits are provided to the visitors such as Mokihi, Wharerau, Cottage, Across the Ocean Waves, Roslyn No.1 electrical tram, penny-farthing and Tiger Tea trolleybus.
3. Mount Aspiring National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By StanDallas - Dallas, United States
Peaceful, quietness, silence and roaring Thunder Creek Falls. Not to far away from Queenstown NZ is paradise. Summer camping in the national park looking into black skies for that Southern Cross among the ever changing constellations. Addiction can be to a place also.
4. Ben Lomond Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By lottie27 - Balmain, Australia
As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, Wanaka the day previous so wasn’t sure how my legs would feel doing two quite big hikes consecutively. As per the other reviews, there are two options, either start at the bottom of the Skyline Gondola (on Beacon St) and take the Tiki Trail up, or pay $38 (or something) and take about 45mins - 1hour (each way) off your hiking time and get the Gondola. For the challenge, I chose the first option and commenced my hike at 7.30am at the bottom of the Tiki Trail. The Tiki Trial is actually quite tough, constantly uphill and over some pretty rough terrain. I grabbed a good stick to use as a hiking pole in the forest and I think this certainly helped me overall. By 8.10am I was at the Skyline Gondola where the views are actually pretty fantastic in their own right. A quick 5 minute toilet stop here and I left the top of the Gondola to commence the hike at about 8.20am. The Ben Lomond track is well signposted from here (much better than when I first did this hike seen years ago) and it says 1.5 hours to the saddle and 2.5 hours to the summit. The hike from the Gondola to the saddle I found to be quite ok... yes it’s constantly uphill but not THAT steep and I in fact made it to the saddle in just under an hour from leaving the top of the Gondola - arriving at 9.15am. The saddle is where the easy hiking sure ends - the hike from the saddle to the summit was particularly strenuous. Having hiked Roy’s Peak the day before, my quads were burning. From the saddle to the summit, it is very much scrambling (on your hands as knees at times) up a rocky mountain face. Even on a dry day like I had I found it quite unsteady underfoot at times. That said, I made it to the summit from the saddle in about 40 minutes. The decent was quite tough on the knees but not as bad as Roy’s Peak and it was nice to be able to take in the views. I got back to the Skyline Gondola by 11.10am (1hr 10mins after leaving the summit), stopped for a cold drink and made it to the bottom of the Tiki Trail just after 12pm - 4.5 hours after commencing. I did walk quite fast and took very few breaks but it just goes to show that it doesn’t need to be a 6/8 hour hike if you’re reasonably fit. The crowds are much smaller than the Roy’s Peak track, even on a beautiful summers day like I had which I found made this hike more appealing. The walk itself is also more varied (having the Tiki Trail forest, the steady climb to the saddle and then the steep scramble to the summit) which made it a little more interesting than the zig zag of Roy’s Peak. My only comment would be that I didn’t find the views (from the saddle or summit) as amazing as the ones from Roy’s Peak, but overall a challenging, enjoyable hike. I didn’t have proper hiking boots and found my Nike trainers did the job ok, just be wary of twisted ankles on the climb to the summit. I found a long stick to be really helpful on the hike to the saddle, although had to lose it to the summit so I had both hands free to grab hold of things around me. Take lots of water, snacks, clothing and suncream as the weather can be very changeable.
5. Lake Wanaka
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,293 reviews
Reviewed By ivangH5657RG
This natural wonder is so pleasant, families with children can enjoy many water activities by boating, water skiing or just having tasty picnic and feeding local ducks. Also nearby there is children playground as well. To walk to town takes about 10 minutes where you can get ice cream or cosy lunch or diner. And prices are very moderate.
6. Roys Peak Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 916 reviews
The track is closed for lambing from 1 October - 10 November each year. Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By winterystorm - Cairns, Australia
I was lucky enough to be with a group on the Runaways Southern Highlights tour. These guys know what they are doing. We started on the mountain at 4am and with the awesome moonlight didn't need to use our headlamps. I would totally recommend starting as early as you can. When the sun comes out there is no hiding from it, no shade at all. The tour director rightly called many sections of it punchy. It took some in the group 1:45 to get to the peak, but it was -1 (degrees celcius) and pretty darn chilly. I took 2:30 and made it just in the nick of time to see one of the most spectacularly majestic sunrises I've ever seen. If you haven't been training for hills/mountains, then start early, take a good amount of water, dress sensibly to protect yourself from the sun on the way up and the cold at the top and wear shoes with decent grip. It's pretty steep in some parts. Expect it to be difficult but know that when you get to the top, every second will have been worth it. Just sooooo incredible. I found that doing a zig zag type move in the really steep bits helped a lot and of course having Isaac, tour director of Runaways encouraging me helped more than I probably realise. I'm 45 and my fitness is average. Still even in my less fit days, the breathlessness and sore muscles are totally worth it. Just be well prepared.
7. Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,928 reviews
Reviewed By Vulcan90049 - Nambucca Heads, Australia
Wonderful drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy,, Great road and Fantastic views along the way,,, lovely little town ship. Well worth the trip
8. Isthmus Peak Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By RennieMD
We do a lot of hikes but wasn’t too keen on Roy’s Peak given the popularity etc. Had a brief look on the trail maps and we decided on Mt Isthmus. It was a steady up hill the entire way and not much easier on the downhill. Wide path so group walking is easy. The views were unreal and basically the entire duration of the walk. We passed 6 or 8 groups and all we’re genuine hikers/trail walkers (aka were appreciating the experience without having to shout about it). The vista at the top was breathtaking and very well worth it. We walked the duration at a steady pace and completed in 3.45hrs. Go and enjoy, minus the crowds! PS don’t rely on Lake Hawea for pre-walk snacks and coffee.
9. Otago Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By geckopoo
We visited this place 12 years ago when on holiday with our kids, so excited to come back after all these years, and so relieved it is still as good as we remembered (if not better!). Always loved the Animal Attic, great homage to the old-fashioned classical museum collections complete with stuffed specimens in original glass cabinets, fantastic! We were staying just a block away so we just loved visiting the Animal Attic first thing in the morning as the museum opened when it was nice, quiet and oh so peaceful out there, just us and the animals, it was like having our own private museum. A floor down was the maritime gallery and natural history section, also our favourite areas - the moa skeletons on display are well curated, labels very informative and interesting. On the first floor is the special exhibits area which until April this year honours 130 years of collecting in New Zealand, very intriguing array of examples ranging from the heart of a great white shark to a petrified rat collection to gold coins from the Elizabethan period. This is a very modern and spacious museum yet it still has a rather conservative and traditional feel - we love it! The technology is well used to enhance and inform without being too gimmicky and glitzy. Good toilets, water fountains and rest areas on all floors too. Best of all, it’s free. Well done, Dunedin for having this excellent museum in your midst!
10. Signal Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 388 reviews
Reviewed By JnVSydney - Greater Sydney, Australia
A nice drive up the hill, full of winding turns. Once there, there was plenty of parking, it was a beautiful sunny day which made the views even more stunning, so peaceful and tranquil, It really puts Dunedin, into perspective. The is also a section for mountain bikers, something for all levels apparently. Definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
