The 15 Best Dunedin Tours & Wildlife Trips

1.Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $139Our pick

Review of Clearwater Wildlife Tours on Otago Peninsula, with fur seals, sea lions, birds, penguins, private habitats, and practical booking tips.

“Despite being one of two ships in port that day, there were only 6 of us on the tour. That made it very personal although it would likely be so even if "full" as they max out at 10 pax. The ability to see wild animals in their natural habitat, especially the yellow eyed penguin we were lucky to see was as promised and fabulous! Our guide Tom was knowledgeable and very personable and we immediately felt at ease with him. We learned a lot and had a ton of fun in the process. I'd highly recommend this tour!”

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2.Speight’s Brewery Tour & Guided Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 508 reviews · from $16Best value

Tour Dunedin’s historic Speight’s Brewery, see old and modern brewing floors, then sample beers with a guide for $16.

“Very educational and informative tour. Thomas was great tour guide. Loved the tastings at the end! Was interesting hearing an about Mr Speight!”

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3.Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 471 reviews · from $34

Watch little blue penguins return to the Otago Peninsula, with expert guides, close views, wildlife, and practical tips for a chilly evening.

“Excellent presentation before the outdoor viewing. Penguins came to shore and everyone got a chance to view them. Wish there were some lights and an EXIT sign in the parking lot to guide us to the street afterward.”

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4.Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 279 reviews · from $29

Explore New Zealand’s only castle, restored rooms, native gardens, Otago Peninsula views, and a ballroom cafe at your own pace.

“Lovely castle with an interesting history. Beautiful views. Friendly staff. It was a lovely experience!”

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5.Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 270 reviews · from $86

See Dunedin, Baldwin Street, the railway station, Otago Peninsula views, and wild sea lions on a flexible 3.5-hour cruise shore tour.

“Very,very small bus. Seating is for little children. No room at all for legs and knees. Tour was ok .”

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6.Wildlife and Penguin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 239 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Explore Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula on a 90-minute wildlife tour with penguins, seals, sea lions, a rehabilitation centre, and conservation insights.

“Seeing the fur seals and blue penguins in the wild was amazing. Tour guide interesting and knowledgeable.”

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7.Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · from $43

Cruise Otago Harbour from Dunedin for royal albatross, seals, penguins, dolphins, and expert commentary, with jackets and binoculars included.

“Being on the sea and seeing albatross flying, taking off and landing around us was so exciting. Spotting a little blue penguin and some fur seals were additional highlights.”

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8.Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · from $86

See Dunedin and Otago Peninsula from a V8 trike in one lively hour, with city sights, beach views, warm jackets, and guide Andrew.

“An absolute blast! Andrew was a great guide. Was a little tough hearing his commentary in the back seat but otherwise it was fabulous! Beautiful scenery! Highly recommend!”

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9.Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · from $16

Tour Olveston Historic Home in Dunedin with a guide, original furnishings, art, gardens, and views toward Otago Harbour.

“Just loved the house and found the history of it very interesting. A great experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and made the tour really interesting.”

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10.Garden and City tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 197 reviews · from $37

See Dunedin’s Octagon, Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, botanic gardens, railway station, and Toitu Museum on a practical cruise-day tour.

“Amazing experience with our tour guide Craig. The love he has for his beautiful city shined through during the day. He made the tour accessible and got you the best spots. Thank you”

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11.Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $105

Spot albatross, seals, penguins, and sea birds on a small-group cruise through Otago Harbour from Port Chalmers.

“A great experience with an excellent boat trip, good explanations and some spectacular animal watchings.”

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12.Speight’s Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 170 reviews · 1h 15m · from $28

Tour Dunedin’s 144-year-old Speight’s Brewery, see historic and modern brewing areas, then sample the South Island’s famous beers.

“Fun tour, interesting to hear the history, see the old parts of the brewery—giant tanks and the like. Very nice people and a great scene in the tasting room at the end—they pass out flights/samplers of the various beers, I went back for 2nds and 3rds…everybody was rolling and having a great time!”

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13.Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $102

Explore Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula, spot seals and albatross, then watch little blue penguins return ashore at Pukekura after dark.

“A great 5 hour trip to see albatross, seals and penguins. We were picked up in the centre of Dunedin at 6.30 in a small minibus and driven to Otago Peninsula. Jonathan, our guide, did an excellent job giving us a brief history of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula as he drove us. He was also very knowledgeable about the wild life pointing out various birds along the way and stopping at view points. We went to the Blue Penguin Centre where we had opportunity to look round the excellent visitor centre. The evening finished with a short talk about the penguins followed by going down to a viewing area…”

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14.Cruise Dunedin City and Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $121

See Dunedin, Baldwin Street, Otago Peninsula, and Larnach Castle on a relaxed six-and-a-half-hour small-group shore tour.

“We had the best time with Kylie and James! Kylie was our driver and she is super knowledgeable and went above and beyond to bring Maori culture into our tour and make the whole experience very meaningful. We did so much in a short time yet it didn’t feel rushed at all. Very comfy van that they make sure not to overcrowd. This is a great way to spend the day if you’re visiting on a cruise ship- it would also be a nice way to acquaint yourself with the city if you’re just arriving. Highly recommend- awesome people, and great itinerary!”

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15.Iconic Shore Excursion: Dunedin City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $61

See Dunedin’s steepest street, Signal Hill, Otago University, and grand railway station on a friendly four-hour small-group tour.

“Kim was an amazing guide and had so much information about Dunedin to share and secret insights. He not only has vast knowledge of the area, he also shares hilarious antidotes along the way to keep you laughing and entertained throughout the route. I highly recommend this tour.”

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