Top Activities in Dunedin
Dunedin is the second largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. The city has a population of approximately 124, 800 and is the seventh largest urban area in New Zealand.The Dunedin urban area, surrounding the head of Otago Harbor, lies on the central-eastern coast of Otago. The city suburbs extend to the surrounding valleys and hills and to the isthmus of the Otago Peninsula. The Otago Harbor and hills around Dunedin are considered as the remnants of an extinct volcano.
1. Elm Wildlife Tours
Experience the ultimate award-winning New Zealand wildlife adventure.
If you have limited time, then Elm Wildlife Tour will not waste those precious numbers.
The guides are really friendly and knowledgeable that you will not just enjoy the trip but you’ll also learn a lot from it.
The Tour includes many sightseeing stops such as beaches and the Albatross Colony area. You’ll be given a chance to have a close encounter with some of the world’s rarest wildlife such as the Royal Albatross, Hookers Sea lions, Blue Penguins, New Zealand fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins and more. If you’re not lucky enough to spot some albatross, the beautiful scenery will make up for everything.
Even though there are stops where you can buy food, it would be better if you bring food just in case you get hungry.
2. See the wildlife in Ontago Peninsula.
Ontago Peninsula is a long, hilly indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin. The peninsula is said to be of volcanic in origin and it forms one wall of the eroded valley that now forms Otago Harbour. The peninsula lies south-east of Otago Harbour and runs parallel to the mainland for 20 km, with a maximum width of 9 km. It is joined to the mainland at the south-west end by a narrow isthmus about 1.5 km wide.
The suburbs of Dunedin encroach onto the western end of the peninsula, and seven townships and communities lie along the harbour-side shore. The majority of the land is sparsely populated and occupied by a steep, open pasture. The peninsula is home to many species of wildlife, notably seabirds, pinnipeds, and penguins.
The Ontago Peninsula is only a 20-minute drive from the Dunedin city center.
3. Roam around the Larnarch Castle
Larnach Castle is an imposing mansion on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula within the limits of the city of Dunedin, close to the small settlement of Pukehiki. It is one of a few houses of this scale in New Zealand.
The house and its grounds are regularly open to the public.
The Larnach Castle gardens are one of only five gardens nationwide to have been given the rating of "garden of international significance" by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. They were the first gardens in the South Island to be given this award; the only other garden in the South Island with this ranking is also in Dunedin - Dunedin Botanic Gardens.
4. Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours
Since 1985, Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours offer tours around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. The Tour takes visitors to watch the unparalleled wildlife and beauty that the area is known for. It has also become a three-time New Zealand tourism award winner and is also Qualmark accredited and Green Globe Benchmarked. These awards are proofs that the Tour is nothing but excellent.
The Royal Albatross, Yellow-eyed penguins that are considered as the world’s rarest penguin, seals, sea lions and up to 20 other species of bird and marine life are only some the “treasures” that you will encounter in this Tour.
Visit Dunedin and be amazed.
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