Cruise Ship Tours and Transport in Dunedin

One of the most exciting aspects of a cruising holiday is planning your cruise activities onshore. You'll come across a variety of fascinating ports on any one journey, and one of the best ways to make the most of your port stops is by planning cruise activities exploring the new sights, exotic cultures and world-renowned landmarks you can find there.

Port Otago in Dunedin City New Zealand is a great destination for your cruise. Dunedin offers alot of short day activities that you and your group can do while berthed and onshore. Nature, heritage, culture or views, Dunedin Tours and Transport offered by Hoppit will take you to all the places you wish.

Port Otago, Dunedin City Cruiseship Tours New Zealand

Exclusive HOPPIT "Twin Castles" Tour, includes a "walk through time" at the "Twin Castles" Room, second floor, Blues Bar at the Oldest Pub in Dunedin on site; The EMPIRE (1858).

Enjoy an ale and platters, or a cuppa tea or coffee and scones and truffles, made in Dunedin of local Cottage Industry, while listening to some olde blues tunes, before being whisked off to lunch elsewhere on your one day Tour.

First visit after being picked up from your cruise ship, will be to the 1st of only two Castles in all of New Zealand, Larnach Castle "The Camp", situated on the Peninsular of Portobello township. Alive and vibrant with beautiful charms and gardens, a must to stroll through.

After a cold ale somewhere on the HOPPIT "trail", Circuit 22, you will be driven to the other side of Town to make a second visit past the site and ruins of the 2nd Castle in New Zealand. Sadly derelict but still withstanding the cold southern winds of the deep South Pole you will see the last of Cargill"s Castle "The Cliffs" on the east coast of Dunedin"s St Clair suburb.

To see the two castles life captured in the "Twin Castles" Room at The Empire helps one understand their history and origins.

Lunch at another establishment on Hoppit Circuit 8 in the Octagon is the best place to be seen and to see. There are always different activities for passengers to get involved with and absorbed in with the locals and local atmosphere.

The Octagon and its environs offer many choices of foods for most cultures and tastes. Lunch is a tasty fare. Seating outside adds attraction especially when its warm and sunny.

After lunchtime discussions with the group allow many choices to travel and see Dunedin City highlights.

Each group is different and flexibility is obtained simply by matching up what is suited to each individual. The choice of museums, gardens, and shopping or sightseeing is unlimited in Dunedin. We go off the beaten trail or we stick to the old trails.

Passengers come first in hospitality.

After pickup from Port Otago, Port Chalmers, we know if we are driving to the Albatross Colony and Penguin places on the far peninsular of Portobello OR we are going to drive you over the scenic route to the NEW Orokonui Eco Sanctuary, to visit the natural lifestyle of our native birds, flora and fauna.

Both are so close to the City and yet so natural.

If we are going to Orokonui, we take in Waitati and its wee beauty before continuing up the east coast where you are driven the road route of where your cruise ship sailed past. Blueskin Bay takes you through to Warrington, Seacliff, and Karitane. Another hours drive brings you to the best fresh fish dinner you may ever try at the historical Moeraki Restaurant. Lunch stop is here before driving the highway 1 back to the Octagon.

If we are driving to the Peninsular to see the Albatross Colony, Penguins or the Marine Aquarium, it is longer time and distance so we come back to the city for a lunchtime visit and try to add in the Otago Museum or the Settlers Museum both FREE to visit.

Time allows a small visit around the city lookouts before heading back to the ship.

There are many choices that are not always that popular so we try to add a visit in between the city tours. This is more balanced and can be lovely at certain times of the seasons especially with garden visits and such like.

These are NEW and were named after the longest standing Mayor in New Zealand who is at present the Mayor of Invercargill City, Mr Tim Shadbolt.

Travel is between both cities of Dunedin and Invercargill. It is HOPPIT Circuit 69 and allows pub and wine tours to and from both cities with exceptional tours of distinction designed by Mayor Tim Shadbolt himself.

These are full one day tours from 9.30am to 6pm so are best for those cruise ships that are on an overnight berth.

Both cities are captivating in some way with nature and both have a cosmopolitan café and bar, pub, club scene. These cities make the South island interesting and a worthwhile stopover.

Invercargill is closest to Stewart Island which is an outdoor adventure with no glamorous aspect taking its value away.

Farm visits are easy to organise also and this is a part of our Country itinerary along with golf courses and swimming pools, gold mining and pub tours.

Are you interested in Group Transport or Tours in Dunedin?