We meet in the 'private tours' area of the cruise ship terminal at Port Otago (Port Chalmers).
Description
This is a short tour by bus around some of the main attractions of Dunedin. It is aimed at cruise ship passengers but anyone can participate so long as it is a cruise ship day.
The tour stops at all locations mentioned with a chance to get off and have a walk around.
Comfortable vehicles and a commentary is provided.
A full refund will be offered if at the conclusion of the tour the customer is dissatisfied with any part of the experience that is within the operator's control so long as the issue is raised first with the operator before any third party. (Subject to tripadvisor complying with operator request)
Tour Options
Garden and City tour from Port 4 hours
Duration: 4 hours: Leaving at 9.45 and 10.30 from Port Chalmers or if ship comes in later about an hour after the ship docks. Returns at 1.45-3
Port pickup: Pickup from Port Otago at Port Chalmers, tour of Dunedin and then return to Port.
Bus
Pickup included
Later cruise ship dock time
Tour starts at customised time
Pickup included
Itinerary
The Octagon
30 min
See the central area of Dunedin
Baldwin Street - World's Steepest Street!
10 min
View or walk up the street
Signal Hill
15 min
Lookout over Dunedin
Dunedin Botanic Garden
30 min
View upper gardens and aviaries or Lower gardens and greenhouses depending on parking.
10 min
Dunedin's historic railway station
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
20 min
See Dunedin's heritage an history on display. Cafe also available.
What's included
Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Lunch
Pickup Locations & Times
We meet at the private tours area of the cruise ship terminal at Port Otago (Port Chalmers) . We usually have a stand and/or someone with a sign there.
If the cruise ship comes in later than normal tour departure time we will depart after whenever it gets in and people have had a chance to unload.
We can also pick up from outside the Dunedin isite in the Octagon, Dunedin.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
250 reviews
5
217
4
19
3
8
2
2
1
4
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We can usually accomodate wheelchairs and prams in the bus but person must sit on a seat in bus.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garden and City tour take?
Garden and City tour lasts about 4–5 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Garden and City tour cost?
Prices start at $34 per person for this Port Chalmers experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Garden and City tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We meet at the private tours area of the cruise ship terminal at Port Otago (Port Chalmers) . We usually have a stand and/or someone with a sign there.
If the cruise ship comes in later than normal tour departure time we will depart after whenever it gets in and people have had a chance to unload.
We can also pick up from outside the Dunedin isite in the Octagon, Dunedin.
What languages is Garden and City tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 36 participants.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
We can usually accomodate wheelchairs and prams in the bus but person must sit on a seat in bus.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Garden and City tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 250 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Exploring New Zealand.
Reviews(250)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
sandrasP1978OX
April 3, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great day in Dunedin
We landed in Port Chalmers from our cruise with nothing planned for our day in Dunedin and were very grateful the port side information desk was able to secure us places on the Exploring New Zealand Garden and City tour. Tour guide, Craig, was a hoot and entertained us the whole day as he showed us around his beautiful city. This tour is excellent value, informative and lots of fun.
W
WarwickshireBarbie
March 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Brilliant local tour
Craig was an absolute star! If you’re on a cruise ship in Dunedin for the day please book this tour. The cruise ships charge exorbitant prices but this local independent company offers great value and a really good look around the area. The town is small but the places Craig took us to with his local knowledge and stories were very entertaining. Going it alone in Dunedin we would have missed such a lot. Thank you so much xx
J
Jim G
March 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent
Very informative tour and an excellent guide
P
PATRICIA_F
March 27, 2026 · via Viator
Great way to see Dunedin
Craig, our driver and guide, was very energetic and enthusiastic about our tour. He obviously loves Dunedin and sharing it with others. Our tour was interesting, informative and fun.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the tour and I am glad you had a good time on it.
E
Elkie Y
March 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The driver was very professional and knowledgeable. He provided lively and educational commentaries about all the places we wen
Knowledgeable and funny tour guide
Operator response
Glad you enjoyed the tour. Thanks!
N
nickyisaac1
March 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent day tour with Craig!!
What an excellent day we had with Craig our tour guide, with fabulous stories and facts about the beautiful town of Dunedin.
Craig was very helpful and kind as I was in a wheelchair with limited amounts of walking ability(able to get on and off bus ok).
We had great stops including the Botanical gardens, the steepest street in the world which my husband walked to the top, famous railway stating and The settlers Museum showing the history of the early settlers. We would fully recommend a tour especially if you have Craig to host you for the day..
Thanks Craig! we enjoyed your company and your Macintosh lollies.
N
NorgeKent
March 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A great way to see the sights of Dunedin
Had a fantastic sight seeing trip with our driver/guide Craig. He was both informative of the history of Dunedin and funny retelling stories both personal and of the past. Craig has a friendly personality but above all was conscious of our comfort & safety.
A great way to get around and see the sights with stops to get off and take photos and walk around at our leisure.
Highly recommend booking this tour.
J
Jennifer_S
March 24, 2026 · via Viator
Craig is a Dunedin treasure
We recently took a bus tour of Dunedin with Craig, and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Craig is an absolute treasure—incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and he clearly loves his city. He shared so many wonderful stories and history that we never would have discovered on our own. The tour was excellent and offered fantastic value for money. If you're looking for an informative, fun, and seamless way to see the best of Dunedin, look no further. Highly recommended!
J
john_l
March 24, 2026 · via Viator
Exceptional Tour
Craig gave us an exceptional sightseeing tour of Dunedin full of lots of information about the history of the city.
S
sheltiecait
March 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Garden and City Tour in Dunedin
This was the Garden and City Tour in Dunedin, New Zealand. The tour operator was Exploring New Zealand and our guide for the tour was Craig. It was a totally enjoyable experience and Craig was outstanding. He was informative, very personable and seemed to really enjoy himself. We enjoyed ourselves as well. It was great value for the money. I would absolutely recommend this tour.
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