Top Things to do in Otago Region
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What to do and see in Otago Region, South Island: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours
Discover the best top things to do in Otago Region, New Zealand including Culture in Context Tour on the Otago Peninsula with lunch, Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Taste of Dunedin City Sights and Nature Tour, Queenstown Half Day Sighteeing 4WD Private Charter , A 2 hour Small Group Dunedin City Highlights Tour, Heritage Highlights Walk, Taste of Dunedin City Sights and Peninsula Sightseeing Tour, Walter Peak scenic flight & steamship cruise from Queenstown, Private Iconic Larnach Castle Tour, Iconic Dunedin City Highlights Tour, Queenstown - Arrowtown Sightseeing and Tasting Half-Day Small-Group Tour.
Restaurants in Otago Region
1. Culture in Context Tour on the Otago Peninsula with lunch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Discover the beauty and rich history of Muaupoko, the Otago Peninsula, through a unique cultural lens.Take a journey with us to uncover how the early Māori and European settlers to this land lived and thrived. Māori, are of Polynesian decent, a sea faring people who travelled to Aotearoa, New Zealand, many centuries ago. Take a half day journey with Horizon Tours and let our guides tell you stories of those voyages, and how these resourceful settlers thrived in new lands surrounded by unfamiliar flora and fauna.Explore the Otago Peninsula and discover some of the iconic sights of interest as we drive along scenic coastal roads. Learn how early Māori lived, their customs and traditions. Hear how they interacted with European settlers, and how the two cultures created the landscape you see today.
Inclusions: Tea and Coffee, Water, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Antipasto lunch included (catered to dietary requirements)
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Tina3337
This was a great tour, Lyndon is an awesome guide, super knowledgeable, friendly and really looked after us. We saw sea lions, fur seal and so many little blue penguins! Highly recommend this tour :)
2. Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Taste of Dunedin City Sights and Nature Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Iconic city sights, Maori sites of significance and a chance to see wildlife are the highlights of this 4-4.5 hour tour, and it starts when we collect you from Port Chalmers, where you’ll meet your guide. We start with a scenic drive that takes in the location of where Dunedin first began for both the early Māori and European settlers, and a look at some of the beautiful iconic sites our city has to offer. We then head out for the Otago Peninsula which delivers spectacular views above the Otago Harbour before winding back down to sea level to arrive at scenic inlets frequented by wading birds. Hear commentary about the nature and the natural processes that shaped the land and learn about Māori, the first people to step ashore here. We’ll take a stroll along a stunning sandy beach where we are often lucky enough to glimpse New Zealand sea lions and fur seals. We finish our tour with a look at Baldwin street, the world's steepest residential street.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Pick up/drop off at Port Chalmers (Cruise Ship Terminal)
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Tina3337
This was a great tour, Lyndon is an awesome guide, super knowledgeable, friendly and really looked after us. We saw sea lions, fur seal and so many little blue penguins! Highly recommend this tour :)
3. Queenstown Half Day Sighteeing 4WD Private Charter
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
• Lord of the Rings tour locations (White Mountains; Minas Tirith; Pillars of the Kings; Gladden Fields; Ford of Bruinen; Warg attack; Exodus of Edoras) • Willow, Vertical Limits and The Water Horse locations • Remarkables Mountains viewpoint • Arrowtown village; • Multiple river crossings on the Arrow River • And a short journey down Skippers Canyon. • Refreshments and on-site multimedia presentations included. • Gold panning option available upon request
Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks, Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By k8ienzl
One of the best tours we have ever done. Our tour driver, Scott, had a wealth of knowledge of the area, the history and the environment. We were delighted to see endangered kārearea (NZ falcon) and the vistas are stunning. Scott took the time to explain the history of the gold mining and had stories about the characters who lived and worked the goldfields as well as the origins of Queenstown. We can highly recommend this family owned tour company.
4. A 2 hour Small Group Dunedin City Highlights Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Join a small group tour to discover highlights of Dunedin - the oldest city in New Zealand .Our City Tour is a great choice for those who are short on time and want individual and personalised service. It is a short but sweet introduction to our wonderful city of Dunedin. Our two hour City Tour takes in the highlights of Dunedin and still allows plenty of time for you to partake in any other activities that you may have planned.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By mally502021
We enjoyed our tour around Dunedin seeing all the tourist spots. Great guide who was very friendly and helped with photography and patiently waited while I took my photos. Very knowledgeable about the area I would recommend them excellent tour.
5. Heritage Highlights Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Dunedin is a great wee city and is best explored on foot. New Zealand's largest city 1865-1889, and a university town, Dunedin boasts some picturesque streetscapes and standout Victorian buildings. This small-group tour is fun and interesting - and a great introduction to Dunedin. See the reviews of our walks!
Inclusions: In-person guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By patrickkoellner
I did the two-hour tour - which is the longest and most comprehensive one available - with tour guide Athol in late February 2020. Athol is a fantastic guide who knows the city inside out. The tour covered both the historic part in the city centre and they newly developed wharehouse district a bit - but not much - further. I certainly learned a lot about Dunedin's city evolving city landscape. Dunedin has arguably the most character among cities in NZ and exploring its past and present is extremely worthwhile. Athol's tour is a great starting point for doing so. It can also be recommended for people having lived in the city for a while.
6. Taste of Dunedin City Sights and Peninsula Sightseeing Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Iconic city sights, coastal inlets and stunning harbour views are the highlights of this 4-4.5 hour tour, and it starts when we collect you from your hotel, where you’ll meet your guide. We start with a scenic drive that takes in the location of where Dunedin first began for both the early Māori and European settlers, and a look at some of the beautiful iconic sites our city has to offer. We then head out for the Otago Peninsula which delivers spectacular views above the Otago Harbour before winding back down to sea level to arrive at scenic inlets frequented by wading birds. Hear commentary about the nature and the natural processes that shaped the land and learn about Māori, the first people to step ashore here. We’ll take a stroll along a stunning sandy beach where we are often lucky enough to glimpse New Zealand sea lions and fur seals. Then drive towards the end of the peninsula to see some highly significant sites for Maori.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Accommodation pick up/drop off is available
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Tina3337
This was a great tour, Lyndon is an awesome guide, super knowledgeable, friendly and really looked after us. We saw sea lions, fur seal and so many little blue penguins! Highly recommend this tour :)
7. Walter Peak scenic flight & steamship cruise from Queenstown
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
This option combines a 20 minute scenic flight, from Queenstown, to Walter Peak high country station, with a farm tour and a return cruise aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw - launched in 1912 this Edwardian steamer is the southern hemisphere's only passenger carrying, coal-fired steamship. Inside, you can visit the engine room viewing the giant steam engines at work. Aboard, you will be able to view the collection of historical photos in the mini-museum, check out the bridge. If you prefer, you can kick back and enjoy a wine or beer, or some café food at the on-board Café & Bar.
Inclusions: Live pre-flight briefing with your pilot, Live in-flight commentary on scenic highlights
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By bipinjohn
Awesome experience and worth it.The service is incredible and commentary by the pilot was useful and he was checking every now and then whether everyone was ok.
8. Private Iconic Larnach Castle Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy your own personalized private tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City with us. This is a 6 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin and Larnach Castle at a leisurely pace. Included is a guided tour of Larnach Castle's unique interior and gardens. Light refreshments and chilled water are included. The tour takes in many interesting buildings and landmarks in Dunedin city such as the Larnach family tomb, the old University and all the main city attractions. The drive to Larnach Castle offers spectacular views from the Otago Peninsula with a lookout stop along the way. Upon arrival at Larnach Castle, your table will be reserved for lunch at the Ballroom cafe (lunch is own cost). After lunch you will embark on a fully guided tour inside the Castle. Then your guide will also take you through the award winning gardens offering fantastic views over the Otago Harbour. Instead take a garden guide map and explore the gardens on your own during some free time before we depart.
Inclusions: Guided tour of Larnach Castle, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By Truejaffa
We would thoroughly recommend using Iconic Tours. And here’s why. Last week we visited the Catlins with Kim from Iconic Tours. The Catlins had been on our bucket list for some time but we had never managed to get there until now. We had heard accommodation and cafes were in short supply down there and we wanted to ensure we didn't miss any highlights so we opted for a tour instead of self drive. Kim collected us from the airport in a comfortable air conditioned sedan and drove us into the city, pointing out places of interest as we went. He did a brief tour around the city centre, took us up to our accommodation in Roslyn and waited while we dropped our bags off, then dropped us back at the i- site. We spent the next 3 days exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula which we really enjoyed. But the best was yet to come! Kim is a great driver and guide and he packed a lot into our 2 day Catlins tour, while never rushing or hurrying us. He is knowledgeable and articulate with a keen interest in the history of places and the local flora and fauna. As he was doing the driving we were able to sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery, and no need to worry if we had missed a turn off or if the road or a café were closed – he had all the local knowledge to adapt if necessary. But here’s a tip- allow 3 days , there is so much to see and do. He drove us down unsealed roads that we wouldn't have ventured on and the sights at the end were remarkable. We had walked the length of Cannibal Bay, admiring the sea lions basking on the sand and were about to head back to the car when Kim spotted a dark shape in the water . It was a huge sea lion swimming into the shallows, then walking up the beach and flipping onto the sand. Awesome. That was a highlight for us as was standing on the beach at Curio Bay in the dusk watching a lone Hoiho penguin make his way up the beach towards his nest. Our breakfast at the Tumu Toka Curio Bay cafe and our dinner at the Niagara Falls restaurant were culinary standouts. Superb service and delicious food. When we arrived at our beach front unit Kim brought in a platter of cheese and crackers and a bottle of bubbly to share with us as we reviewed the day. We then had a short rest, dinner then another visit to the beach to wait for the arrival of the little Hoiho, the rarest penguin in the world. Covered in the price of our tour was our accommodation at Curio Bay (which was a comfortable studio unit right on the beach) plus morning teas, lunches and a cooked breakfast and museum entries etc, plus of course a driver/guide. Kim managed to pack in a tremendous amount of things each day from walks through native bush to see amazing waterfalls, seeing the petrified forest and visits to museums to watching fur seals on the rocks. Kim also does Stewart Island tours and we've got that in mind for the future as we couldn't imagine a better tour guide. And the Catlins? Pristine, uncrowded, an awesome experience.’
9. Iconic Dunedin City Highlights Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Discover top attractions and iconic sites around the city of Dunedin on this half-day city tour. Explore Dunedin with a guide and take in key sites of interest such as the World famous Baldwin Street, University of Otago, Olveston Homestead gardens and Dunedin's Grand Railway Station. Awesome lookouts over Otago Harbour and from Signal Hill. Visit the Octagon (city centre) for some shopping and a bite to eat. All transport to and from the cruise ship wharf is included. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 20 people. Daily departures are available for cruise passengers and city-based passengers.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By Truejaffa
We would thoroughly recommend using Iconic Tours. And here’s why. Last week we visited the Catlins with Kim from Iconic Tours. The Catlins had been on our bucket list for some time but we had never managed to get there until now. We had heard accommodation and cafes were in short supply down there and we wanted to ensure we didn't miss any highlights so we opted for a tour instead of self drive. Kim collected us from the airport in a comfortable air conditioned sedan and drove us into the city, pointing out places of interest as we went. He did a brief tour around the city centre, took us up to our accommodation in Roslyn and waited while we dropped our bags off, then dropped us back at the i- site. We spent the next 3 days exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula which we really enjoyed. But the best was yet to come! Kim is a great driver and guide and he packed a lot into our 2 day Catlins tour, while never rushing or hurrying us. He is knowledgeable and articulate with a keen interest in the history of places and the local flora and fauna. As he was doing the driving we were able to sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery, and no need to worry if we had missed a turn off or if the road or a café were closed – he had all the local knowledge to adapt if necessary. But here’s a tip- allow 3 days , there is so much to see and do. He drove us down unsealed roads that we wouldn't have ventured on and the sights at the end were remarkable. We had walked the length of Cannibal Bay, admiring the sea lions basking on the sand and were about to head back to the car when Kim spotted a dark shape in the water . It was a huge sea lion swimming into the shallows, then walking up the beach and flipping onto the sand. Awesome. That was a highlight for us as was standing on the beach at Curio Bay in the dusk watching a lone Hoiho penguin make his way up the beach towards his nest. Our breakfast at the Tumu Toka Curio Bay cafe and our dinner at the Niagara Falls restaurant were culinary standouts. Superb service and delicious food. When we arrived at our beach front unit Kim brought in a platter of cheese and crackers and a bottle of bubbly to share with us as we reviewed the day. We then had a short rest, dinner then another visit to the beach to wait for the arrival of the little Hoiho, the rarest penguin in the world. Covered in the price of our tour was our accommodation at Curio Bay (which was a comfortable studio unit right on the beach) plus morning teas, lunches and a cooked breakfast and museum entries etc, plus of course a driver/guide. Kim managed to pack in a tremendous amount of things each day from walks through native bush to see amazing waterfalls, seeing the petrified forest and visits to museums to watching fur seals on the rocks. Kim also does Stewart Island tours and we've got that in mind for the future as we couldn't imagine a better tour guide. And the Catlins? Pristine, uncrowded, an awesome experience.’
10. Queenstown - Arrowtown Sightseeing and Tasting Half-Day Small-Group Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
3 Regions : Queenstown, Arrowtown & the Gibbston 7 Amazing Stops : Queenstown Hill, Lake Hayes, Kawarau Bungy Bridge, Honey tasting, Cheese tasting, Arrowtown & the Chinese Village Small group half day tour around Queenstown plus much much more. We provide fun interesting commentary, help with your photos and give great recommendations for everything from lunch to shopping. Being one of the top rated Queenstown local scenic small group tours your day is going to be amazing. The best way to see the region is with a fun local guide. Visit historic Arrowtown & the Chinese village, make a photo stop at Lake Hayes (the Mirror Lake), the Kawarua bridge bungy jump, enjoy cheese tasting in Gibbston Valley, see the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, visit a working honey farm and taste honeys including Manuka, enjoy a photo stop over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Inclusions: Manuka Honey tasting, Cheese tasting, Small-group guided tour in modern eleven-seat minivan, Central Queenstown pickup and drop-off, Local taxes, Optional wine tasting ($5.00)
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By Merrycoco
Our guide Wayne was excellent. It was our first time at Arrowtown and Wanaka. Although it was a small group tour, the tour was very thorough, making sure we had the best experience at every scenic spot. Great commentary and thank you for showing us the best angles/poses for photos at each stop! We also appreciate the tips for best local restaurants and cafes around town - we actually tried one of the cafes for our last day, and it was great! :) Thank you so much
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