Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
A tour with Gregor is like no other. Emerging business award finalist, Tales From Darkest Dunedin and Gregor Campbell, respected historian and expert story teller has been uncovering forgotten events and people in Dunedin's history. He has been featured in newspapers for his finds and recently on the cover of New Zealand Heritage Magazine for his cemetery tours. Gregor is particularly interested in colonial history, the exchanges between Māori Kāi Tahu, the Scottish and the everyday people that came to make a life here, for better or for worse. And now he's your tour guide!
Gregor's stories of murder, shipwrecks, discovery, heroes and villains are exclusive to Tales From Darkest Dunedin and weave together to give a greater picture of our city and the lives that brought it to where it is today.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We will have approximately 1h30 total driving time between pickup point, attractions and drop off.
Tour time can be altered to fit in your ship schedule
2 Person minimum for tour to go ahead. We will contact you if there is only one booking.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
University of Otago
Starting the tour with a quick drive through the university, we see the original old buildings including the Marama Building with ornate features and an interesting story.
Northern Cemetery
Drive through the beautiful Northern Cemetery and hear the stories of the famous and everyday people buried there. William Larnach's tomb is here and the architect who designed his properties and tomb among other notable Dunedin buildings.
What‘s Included
Local guide/driver
Hotel and cruise ship port pick up and drop off
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entry to Larnach Castle
We will stop at Luna Restaurant and Bar but it is not included in the price
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
74 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This tour is BRILLIANT!!!!
jogC4373YT,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was BRILLIANT!! If you want something a little different from the standard city tours, then Gregor and his Tales from the Darkest Dunedin is exactly what you want. His wealth of knowledge about the city and tales of the darker side of its history were captivating, and the 6 hour tour just flew by. From the minute we pulled up at the cemetery, and he began telling me the story of the stolen skull, I knew I was in for an amazing day and exactly the kind of tour I wanted. Thank you Gregor, for making my birthday one I will never forget, and I can't wait to read your book when it is completed. I will definitely come back for one of your other tours.
Good for a different view of a city!
Christine G,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a nice day. It was refreshing to see and hear about the city in a different way. Our lunch spot was very good. Our Guide was good.
Highly recommend this tour
Alexandra S,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour and guide. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Great tour of the castle and surrounding area. Very easy to meet up with at the Makers Market where the cruise shuttle dropped us off.
As above
H8308PRpeterw,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Comprehensive and knowlegable tour guide.. excellent rating
Recommended!
Coastal274103,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great tour and personalised service, very glad I booked this to see some Dunedin sights on my own without the hassle of renting a car and driving myself. Some fascinating tales from a committed guide and door to door in a comfortable vehicle.
Master storyteller
jacquied348,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gregor was the very best host and driver. His passion for the history and his quirky sense of humour entertained us for 5 hours. He answered all our questions and personalised our trip.
Enjoyable Small Group Tour
Charles W,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide/driver was excellent and extremely knowledgeable having lived all his life in Dunedin. Larnarch’s Tomb, the family history and the Castle were all interesting. Being a fan of architecture we loved Dunedin Train Station. Lunch @ Luna Cafe (NIC) in the hills was very good.
A great day out!
Christine B,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gregor provided an excellent, comprehensive, tour of Dunedin. I was the only passenger on his tour for the day, so he happily tailored the tour to suit my interests. I appreciated how obliging he was, taking me to see street art that I hadn’t been able to get to on foot. My experience at Larnach Castle was fantastic, thanks to Gregor’s knowledge and storytelling. He patiently waited while I walked up Baldwin Street and back down, and at no point hurried the tour. To have my own tour guide for 5 1/2 hours was amazing! I was very comfortable in the air-conditioned van, and appreciated being able to charge my phone. Highly recommend this company - both Lolene and Gregor made it a really positive experience.
Fantastic tour!
Lynette W,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Gregor is a fantastic tour guide! His knowledge and background as a historian adds colorful and amazing insights to the history he shares. The tour itself was even better than the description given and the stop at Luna with its amazing view was the perfect place for lunch. The details he added as he guided us through the Lanarch Castle helped us more fully appreciate the art and architecture of that beautiful structure. We were also appreciative of the fact that he was very careful to stay within the timeline throughout the tour so that we had no worries about making it back to the ship on time. Take this tour. It will be one of the highlights of your trip!
Lovely Dunnedin
Gillian O,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had an indepth insight into Dunnedin and enjoyed it immensely. Gregor was a great guide and obviously loves his home town. Weather was kind to us on the day. Had a great time!
From NZ$265.00
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Operated by Tales From Darkest Dunedin