Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour (Shore Excursion)
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
We meet you at the Port Chalmers Cruise Ship Terminal for the
'Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour'
Stops include:
-Dunedin Railway Station (most photographed building in NZ)
-Baldwin Street (world's steepest street)
-Otago University (NZ's oldest University)
-Signal Hill Lookout
-Heritage Buildings
Plus more
After the 'City Highlights Tour' we drop you off at the Octagon in the City Centre. You will have 1 hour of free time for lunch & shopping. Meridian Shopping Mall is 2 blocks away with a Food Court.
After lunch we depart on the journey up to the Castle. We take in the magnificent views of the peninsula and make a quick stop at a lookout for a great photo opportunity.
On arrival we take you on a guided tour of the Castle with time afterwards to do some of your own exploring or check out the award-winning gardens. You also have the option to visit the Ballroom Cafe for refreshments.
($48 NZD Larnach Castle/Gardens entry fee is included in our tour price)
No hidden fees.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dunedin Railway Station
Amazing photo opportunity at our first stop.
University of Otago
A brief stop to view the Clocktower and other heritage buildings.
What‘s Included
Larnach Castle & Gardens entry fee
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch
WiFi on board
Options
Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour (Shore Excursion)
Reviews
83 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Pleasant Day at Dunedin
KingYi L,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very good itinerary with key tourist spots. The driver-guide Tim was knowledgable, friendly and good in time management. The Larnach Castle & gardens worth the visit, the Railway Station and Octogon University were beautiful buildings. If we could have more time at Octagon to browse around would be even better.
A great way to experience Dunedin
Genevieve L,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tim was a great host, driver and guide. He explained many interesting facts about Dunedin, past and present, through the eyes of his Scottish heritage. We could appreciate the characteristic architecture of dark volcanic basalt and light sandstone on numerous handsome buildings. We had time to walk up and down Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street, and have a leisurely lunch in the town centre. In the afternoon, Tim guided us around the Scottish Larnach Castle and explained its history, with time for afternoon tea and scones! All in all, a very informative day in Dunedin, that we highly recommend. Thank you, Tim!
Best way, best value to see Dunedin during a cruise visit
David A,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Love small group tours like this compared to “shore excursions” offered by cruise companies. So easy to meet our guide in the cruise terminal. Tim had the cleanest van of all Viator tours I’ve taken over the years. I wish every company would clean their windows as good as these were! We saw all the sites on the agenda and had plenty of time. We were shown where to take great photos from too!🏆 I love a guide who loves his city and has passion for the area. It truly shined throughout! Great job!!! Lunch suggestions were spot on too. The castle tour was the best. No spending 30 minutes looking at brush strokes of a painting. We were walked through the rooms with interesting tidbits. Stories were good, the facts were shared then we had time to explore on our own while our guide made himself 100% available. Perfect! 6.5 hour tour got us back to the ship an hour before gangway up. Excellent Day!
Great excursion
Don A,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative. Lots of history. Whole day was great There just the right number of stops. He was very helpful with my wife’s walker.
Great day out in Dunedin and Lanarch Castle
Carol S,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A really varied and comprehensive tour in comfortable surroundings led by our friendly and extremely knowledgeable tour guide Tim. I heartily recommend this tour.
Highly Recommend!
F3596DOmichelel,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful day exploring the sights of Dunedin, with Larnach Castle being a definite highlight. Our tour guides, Tim and Joe, were friendly, professional, and extremely knowledgeable—nothing was ever too much trouble for them. There were only 15 people on our tour, which was a great group size and made the experience feel more personal and relaxed. The tour was very reasonably priced and included entry to Larnach Castle, which added great value to the experience. As we were visiting via cruise ship, we especially appreciated how well the tour was timed—we returned with plenty of time to spare. The six hours flew by, and we felt incredibly fortunate to see so much of Dunedin in such a short time. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We will definitely be back and cannot recommend this tour highly enough!
Tim was a great tour...
Jason F,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tim was a great tour guide! It was clearly marked about where to meet and what was expected. The castle was great, the history of the family so interesting. Just make sure to wear good shoes if you climb the hill!
I was with my young adult...
Samantha C,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I was with my young adult son. We loved it! The tour guide was super knowledgeable and very hospitable. The stop on Baldwin Street and the Castle were definite highlights of the tour. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Dunedin.
Beautiful Dunedin
610michaelm,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding tour ofthe city Octagon, university and the castle. Our driver/guide(and owner of the company) was timely, friendly and informative. Smaller coach allowed us to see things not available to large coaches. Highly recommended.
Engaging Thoroughly delightful tour
749margiew,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The pre trip communication was clear and precise. We met right where we disembarked from the ship which was convenient. Tim was extremely knowledgeable and shared stories of the history of Dunedin in an engaging manner. The Tour day was well organized and the small 15 passenger van was a delightful way to hop on and off and view the sites . The train station, the steepest road along with downtown and castle all were able to be visited . We had time to explore downtown and to take tea in the castle ballroom/outside garden. The tour of the castle was narrated by Tim and he had such in-depth and interesting way to share details of the palace from origins to family drama to historical significance of the furnishings and building .
From NZ$209.00
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Operated by Discover Dunedin Tours