Visiting Dunedin aboard a cruise ship?
Read our helpful information below about what happens when you arrive.
Cruise Ship Visitor Info:
Your ship will cruise in through the entrance of the Otago Harbour and continue travelling for approximately 30-minutes. It will then berth at a busy container and log port, nestled within the historic Port Chalmers, a small historic township, 25-minutes drive from city Dunedin.
Once you disembark your ship it is roughly a 100 metre walk to the cruise ship terminal. Inside the terminal you will see a visitor information centre and displays featuring different local tours and products. The staff inside this building can help you with any questions you may have.
At this point you have three main options:
1. Join a private tour or experience organised by a local tourism operator like us.
2. Purchase a return ticket for the shuttle into the city of Dunedin, or book a private taxi.
3. Continue outside and explore the small Port Chalmers township.
We offer a couple of tour options (scroll further down the page). They’ve been designed to suit the arrival and departure time of your ship.
Tours can be booked on the day from the iSite visitor centre within the terminal, however we recommend pre-booking before your arrival. Use our online booking system or call us free on 0800 666 272. Spaces are limited, and with up to 5000 people disembarking from one or two different ships we often sell out.
If you’ve booked a tour with us, you’ll need to report to the ‘Private Tours Area’ within the terminal at 10:00am. Our guide will meet you there holding a sign with the Monarch logo and your name printed on it. Then your day of exploration begins…
Any questions? Contact us via email monarch@wildlife.co.nz or call +64 3 477 4276
Cruise Ship
Shore Tours:
These tours include a pickup and dropoff from the Port Chalmers Cruise Terminal.
If you book any other tour option advertised on our website you’ll be required to make your own way to the appropriate check-in location.
Cruise to
Sea Wildlife
2.5 hour small group cruise along the beautiful Otago Harbour. Meet the unique wildlife like royal albatross and NZ fur seals.
Castle to
Cruise Ship
5-6 hour tour that travels across the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour, followed with a special Wildlife Cruise.