Top Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula Pop Culture

Be surprised by the rugged natural landscape that’s part of the Dunedin city boundaries on this tour of the Otago Peninsula. Start with a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, and learn all about Dunedin’s early settler history from your guide. Continue further along the peninsula, hopping aboard a wildlife cruise of the Otago Harbour. Spot fur seals, albatross, and maybe even dolphins and penguins while admiring the views.

Like most New Zealand cities, Dunedin has a colonial history filled with exchanges between the Māori people and Western settlers. Discover dark tales of murder and shipwrecks, as well as stories of the influential people who shaped the city’s culture on this half-day small-group tour of several of Dunedin’s most popular tourist spots, including Larnach Castle and gardens.

Try to keep your jaw from dragging on the ground as we walk through the inner city hearing the dark yet true crime stories from the 19th century. Dunedin, being a gold rush town, brought characters in from all over to exist together in this isolated city at the bottom of the world. We will briefly touch on why and how Dunedin was settled for context then we will walk the main areas of the inner city seeing such landmarks as the favourite little Fairlie steam engine, the old victorian era, gothic revival prison, the Flemish Renaissance style railway station, Anglican Cathedral, the newly refurbished main street, George Street ending with the utterly depraved story of murder and attempted suicide in the one of many notorious lanes that still exist. See the best of Dunedin while hearing the worst.

HAIR RAISER TOURS— Est. 1999, presents Jack the Clicker's Photographic Crime Walk—created by New Zealand's original pioneer in dark tourism—Andrew Smith. Jack the Clicker trained under a police photographer and fingerprint expert, gaining first-hand insight into the techniques and practices of forensic photography. This unique background brings a different perspective to Dunedin's darker history, as you explore the city through the lens of your camera or smartphone. Hear exclusive accounts from those who were there and witnessed it firsthand—from gold rush events and Victorian crime scenes to the forgotten stories of Dunedin's underbelly history. A few Secrets Remain...While a few locations have been listed in our itinerary, they"re certainly not the whole story. We've kept a few secrets under our hat—some places and surprises that you'll only discover when you join Hair Raiser Tours. By Day—Jack the Clicker's Photographic Crime Walk By Night—Curly Jack's Underbelly Crime Walk

Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on this small-group tour, featuring highlights including Larnach Castle’s gardens, the Dunedin Railway Station, and the University of Otago. Visit The OPERA to learn about conservation efforts for yellow-eyed penguins and enjoy a guided nature walk to spot local wildlife. With engaging commentary and personalized attention, this tour offers a comprehensive and memorable experience of the region.

Explore Dunedin highlights on a half-day, small-group tour that goes from the city's historic landmarks to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. See the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, and more, then continue to the beautiful Otago Peninsula, pausing en route for a walk on St. Clair Beach and esplanade. This tour includes transfers from Port Chalmers, with departure times to suit cruise ship arrivals.