Top Things to do in Otago Region
What to do and see in Otago Region, South Island: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Discover the best top things to do in Otago Region, New Zealand including Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Mt Rosa Wines, Aitken's Folly Vineyard, Weaver Estate Wines, Whitestone City, Grey Ridge Vineyard, Buzzstop, Olveston Historic Home, Chard Farm Winery, Otago Museum.
Restaurants in Otago Region
1. 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.
2. Mt Rosa Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Come and enjoy a fun and friendly wine tasting in our renovated woolshed. Platters available with local produce. Cellar Door open daily from 11am-5pm We are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We charge a tasting fee of $15 which includes at least 5 wines. This is waived when purchasing two bottles. Wines are also available by the glass - please see our menu. Booking essential for parties of 6 or more
Reviewed By Biancacoutts
Anne served us today for our wine tasting. She was super knowledgeable and personable and we felt so well looked after. Would 100% recommend visiting when on a wine tour. Baz the mini German shepherd is also super cute!
3. Aitken's Folly Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By 981kylied
Called in after a day boarding at Cadrona. Fiona was absolutely lovely, informative and welcoming of our family (18 & 20 yr old kids who are very novice wine drinkers!). We had a wonderful wine tasting with lots of laughs and were pleasantly surprised with wine quality and left with a 1/2 dozen case. A lovely warm cosy tasting room and hospitable owners with a wonderful story of ending up in NZ and living the dream. Well worth the stop in. Great Chardonnay, so glad you followed your instinct and Central Otago Pinot Noir - say no more. We wish you the best with your successful endeavour and raise our glasses to your adventurous spirit.
4. Weaver Estate Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
We are a small family vineyard, winery and cellar door. We also provide guest accommodation on site in our two self contained guest cottages. Open from 11am - 5pm Wednesday - Sunday between September and April, outside of these hours by appointment.
Reviewed By KC_Melbourne - Melbourne, Australia
Near new cottage which sleeps up to five (2 bedrooms with queen bed each, camp bed in lounge).Beautiful views all around, short drive to town. The family Border Collier Maddy greeted us as our car drove in. The cottage is very well equipped, with dishwasher, induction cooktop,laundry and cloth drying rack.The fridge has bread, milk, yoghurt for our breakfast. They provide packets of cereal, jam, peanut butter, honey, Marmite. I have travelled around the world but i must say i am very impressed with Weavers estate wine's cottage. I hope the owners will get as lot of bookings and build more cottages.
5. Whitestone City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Learn about our history by taking part in it. Take a tour of the visual tale of our town from the rough-sawn Whitestone beginnings to the polished and finely worked grandeur of our facades that still exist today. Partake of Victorian pastimes or boldly go beyond the curtains to encounter our colourful past. Leisurely repose oneself in the sumptuous surrounds of our parlour.
Reviewed By 13Sue - Auckland, New Zealand
My daughter and I decided to do the Grand tour in Whitestone city. This involved getting dressed up in victorian clothing and being guided around the building by Sandy who provided us with some interesting history of Oamaru as well as snapping photographs of us on our phones. Sandy was very passionate about Oamaru and the history of the area and she spent time ensuring we looked the part which we certainly did! We even attracted a bit of attention as we had our photos taken outside. I loved how we could touch things as we walked around and they even had a Penny Farthing carrousel. I would highly recommend this to dress up fans and history buffs, even those who arent would enjoy this I'm sure. Suitable for all ages.
6. Grey Ridge Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Grey Ridge is a boutique vineyard in Alexandra, Central Otago, with the most amazing views across the vineyard to the mountains beyond. At Grey Ridge we offer free and relaxed Wine Tasting from the Cellar Door, along with wine by the glass and platters. The vineyard has only Pinot Noir vines, from which we make four different wines: a White Pinot Noir, a Pinot Rosé, and two Pinot Noir. They are all "Single Vineyard" wines, made from hand tended and hand picked grapes. Our accommodation in our Grey Ridge Vineyard Suite, or Orchard Studio, is spacious and completely private, and you are free to explore the gardens, terraces and the vineyard. When you stay with us your package includes a private vineyard tour with the owner, followed by a private wine tasting and a delicious breakfast the next day. If you would like to join your hosts for a casual home-cooked dinner, (with wine of course) so that you can relax rather than leave the vineyard again, be sure to book that option in advance.
Reviewed By markmarChristchurch - Christchurch, New Zealand
Very welcoming and a fantastic set up. We enjoyed a thoroughly wonderful tasting with Sue and Paul and followed that with a great platter (and yes another glass of wine!!). Great story of the way they came to own the vineyard, and the challenges and successes they have had over the last 5 years. We heard about the cultivation, the winemaker in Alexandra, and the 5 wines they had to share (all 100% Pinot Noir), including a white wine!! Not the normal commercial wine tasting but a glimpse at a boutique operation with friendly, engaging and passionate owners. One of the highlights of our trip.
7. Buzzstop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Buzzstop is Queenstown’s home for all things Bees and Honey. A one-stop shop to taste and purchase a fantastic selection of Kiwi honey’s from all corners of NZ. make your own honey candles,some natural honey soaps.or Experience seeing 1000's of bees through a glass walled observation hive, or try activities including spin-your-own-honey tour and for the more adventures try bee-a-bee-keeper tour.
Reviewed By V7333AYjohnm
We had a wonderful morning learning all about bees. We did the honey spinning tour and each got a pot of delicious honey with our own labels on. This was a really great activity, suitable for all ages and also good on rainy days. There is a cafe, wine tasting and a shop selling honey from all around New Zealand. The honey can be tasted to help you to decide which to buy. I never realised how much work (by the bees and the beekeeper) goes into a spoonful of honey. Many thanks Nick! ????????
8. Olveston Historic Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 976 reviews
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. Chard Farm Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
Specialising in Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. Cellar Door Open for tastings 10am - 5pm weekdays and 11am - 5pm on weekends
Reviewed By Dawnnapa
I saw the reviews for Chard farm, yesterday, the day before we were leaving Queenstown. So, quickly made a call to find out if they were open, it being Easter Monday. This was the best wine tasting I’ve ever experienced. Pauline, our host, was a hoot! She was so funny and she knew her wines. The views on our way there, were so beautiful. Well worth the 1.5km unsealed road, to get there. 10 out of 10!
10. 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!
