The hillside city of Dunedin is an important stop for cruise liners sailing around the South Island and the southernmost Dunedin Cruise Port serves as the gateway to this lively university town with Scottish roots. Use Dunedin Cruise Port as the jumping-off point for exploring the wider Otago Peninsula, a finger-like protrusion of land renowned for its marine wildlife, and more.
Once you’ve disembarked at Dunedin Cruise Port, take a city tour of Dunedin. Shore excursions typically cover Victorian and Edwardian landmarks such as Olveston House, Dunedin Railway Station, Otago Museum, Dunedin Botanic Garden, and Larnach Castle. Longer excursions combine a tour of Dunedin with either a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway or wildlife viewing in the rugged outer reaches of the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, yellow-eyed penguins, and sea lions.
Larger ships dock at Port Chalmers, while smaller vessels drop anchor at a wharf in Dunedin dock.
There's tourist information and free Wi-Fi available at the port, with ATMs found in the city center.
Most Dunedin shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at the port.
Shore excursions from Dunedin Cruise Port range in length, from short city tours to all-day guided explorations of the peninsula.
Dunedin can be chilly, even in summer, so bring extra layers and be prepared for changeable weather.
Port Chalmers at the Dunedin Cruise Port is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Dunedin city center. Most cruise companies provide shuttle buses to the city center, though public buses and taxis are also available. The journey should take about 20 minutes. Smaller cruise ships may dock at Port Dunedin, which is closer to the city.
The official languages in Dunedin are Maori and English, and the official currency is the New Zealand dollar. Find tourist information at the port entrance or at the Octagon in Dunedin city center.