Mainland Peninsula Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a full-day tour experiencing lovely Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You will see all the city highlights before journeying along the Otago Peninsula, which is full of wildlife and the majestic Larnach Castle (garden entry included, the tour inside the castle can be booked and paid for on the day if required). Also included is a visit to The Opera (Formerly Known as Penguin Place) - learn about the Yellow-Eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into the rehabilitation centre (when penguins are present) where Yellow-Eyed penguins and other penguin species can be seen up close. Then a short bus trip to the reserve where you are guided on an approximately 2km nature walk (Some steps included and uneven ground). Your local guide has many stories of the area and knows all the best spots and vantage points along the way. There is plenty of time to chat and enjoy the commentary during your small-group tour.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
A maximum of 11 people per booking
A large amount of walking is involved at The opera Eco Reserve. If unable to take the tour into the reserve there is an option to wait at reception
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Not Suitable for wheelchairs and walkers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Larnach castle gardens only
Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Opera Eco Reserve Entry
Live commentary on board
Entrance fees ( Castle tour entry)
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Meeting points
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Larnach Castle & Gardens
You will visit New Zealand's only castle. Explore the extensive gardens and see stunning views of Otago harbour. Or just relax with a great coffee and some tasty food. (Garden entry included. The tour inside the castle can be booked and paid for on the day if required.)
The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance
Visit The Opera (Formerly Known as Penguin Place) - learn about the yellow-eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into the rehabilitation centre (when penguins are present) where yellow-eyed penguins and other penguin species can be seen up close. Then a short bus trip to the reserve where you are guided on an approximately 2km nature walk (Some steps included and uneven ground) with the potential to see numerous plants and animals, including yellow-eyed penguins and little penguins, fur seals, sea lions and more.
Options
Mainland Peninsula Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
71 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Dunedin and the Otaga Peninsula was a lovely surprise
Sudha K,
Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Dunedin was an unexpected surprise - a mix of old and new! Les our guide was very informative. Highlights were the Steepest street in the world, Otaga U, train station and the Laranch castle gardens. Highlight for me was the Penguin colony on the Otaga peninsula - the drive was beautiful and see how the Reserve was working to save both the Yellow eyed penguin & the blue penguin! We got to see them in their natural environment ! We also stopped at the Albatross colony and got to see them gliding in the air! Did not see their nesting area as we were short on time.
A wonderful Day
Curiosity53237512911,
Feb 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful day exploring the area and many sites. We enjoyed the city stops as well as the penguins. Timing of the sites was good although we would have liked to spend a little more time at Larchmont castle to tour the house. The driver was knowledgeable and provided good information.
Great overview of the...
Norie K,
Feb 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overview of the city plus there were wild seals and penguins! Guide was knowledgeable, fun, and welcoming.
Excellent customer service
lockefloyd,
Mar 28, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Somehow--and, I swear, I cannot figure out how, I signed up for this trip on the wrong date. Russ at Tourworks NZ was so kind in letting me change it without penalty at the last minute. He offered me another trip two days later and , when that port call cancelled due to high winds, again at the last minute, he was very understanding again. He was very prompt with refunds. We never got to tour with him but I believe, from his professional and business-like behavior, that any tour he was a part of would be excellent.
Fun in Dunedin
Jodi L,
Mar 22, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a quite a spectacular day visiting Dunedin. It was great to get a tour around the city and some of its highlights before heading towards the Peninsula and Larnach Castle. Our guide, Malcolm, was very knowledgeable about the area. The Opera, formerly known as Penguin Place, was a wonderful stop and we were even able to see 3 penguins in the wild. Although our cruise ship was delayed due to gangway issues in the morning, it turned out our port of call time was extended, and Malcolm was accommodating to also show us the albatross as well as drive us back into the city to re-look at the Train Station that we had to rush through earlier due to our delay. Overall, a wonderful full day out in Dunedin and would recommend Tourworks NZ.
Highly recommend this tour
Sylvie C,
Feb 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Russ was our guide on this tour. It was very informative, well planned and Russ got us back to the ship in plenty of time. We highly recommend the tour!
Outstanding tour!
Leslie S,
Feb 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Russ was so informed and organized, and a pleasure to tour with. We learned a lot, saw so much, and enjoyed his company greatly. Thank you Russ for a wonderful day!!
A great comprehensive tour of Dunedin area
Harry W,
Jan 19, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We took a full day tour with Russ in lieu of an excursion offered by our cruise ship. What a great decision! Our small group made multiple stops throughout the area, including extended stays at Larnach Castle and The Opera widlife preservation center. Visited the historic train station, the world's steepest street, the Royal Albatross Center, among other highlights. Great narration from Russ during our scenic drives. Highly recommended!
Great day in Dunedin
James A,
Jan 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Where else can you go to see a castle, penguins and a pineapple tree lookalike! Great day, loads cheaper than cruise excursions and they go the same places.
Excellent tour!
mrneeraj,
Aug 22, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took this tour in Nov 2019. Sorry for the late review!!! One of the best tours we had in our 11 day tour to NZ. Russell as a tour manager was the best. Very friendly, knowledgeable, humble human being. The great part was that me and my wife were the only two ppl and got a customised and personal tour. Big thanks to Russell for going on with the tour even just for 2 ppl. The tour gave us the best of Otago peninsula when it comes to the natural scenic beauty and the exotic flora and fauna. We got the breathtaking views of the Pacific, saw large number of Seals, and also glimpses of the famous and rare Yellow eyed penguin apart from the city tour of Dunedin comprising of the old railway station, palace and world's steepest street etc. This is a highly recommended tour for any person visiting NZ.
From NZ$291.00
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Operated by Tourworks NZ Limited