South Pacific
New Zealand
South Island
Otago Region
Dunedin
Things to do in Dunedin
Horizon Tours
See all things to do

Horizon Tours

See all things to do
See all things to do
Horizon Tours
5
#5 of 61 Outdoor Activities in Dunedin
Cultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursEco ToursNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Write a review
Full view
About
Experience Dunedin's wildlife and natural heritage with Horizon Tours. Learn about Dunedin's unique wildlife, coastal character, Maori and European history through the stories that bring our natural landscapes alive. Join our expert guides, led by our head guide with over thirty years of conservation management experience on our Otago Peninsula. Broaden your horizon... by exploring ours.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours and Tickets by Horizon Tours
Travellers talk about

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles264 reviews
Excellent
259
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Scott Somerville
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing experience
Feb 2020
Short version: This company is great. Don’t hesitate to go on a tour or two with them, you won’t regret it!

Longer version: We only had a few days in Dunedin and contacted Horizon tours late in the afternoon upon our arrival. Kylie got in touch quickly and helped us with booking the wildlife tour for the following morning. Lyndon picked us up from our accommodation (great service) and we had a wonderful day out despite the wet weather. Lyndon shared a lot of interesting facts about the area and all the animals we encountered and was always happy to answer any questions. He made sure everyone was safe (those sea lions do run fast …) and having a good time. The tour included a delicious picnic lunch which offered a variety of food and drink options. Definite highlight of the tour was seeing the albatross in flight. We joined a bigger tour on a boat for that part but it was a clear advantage having Lyndon with us since these birds are his area of expertise.

We also did a star gazing tour with Kylie who was willing to take us out even though the weather didn’t look promising. (Needless to say, Kylie did offer a “no stars – no payment” deal which we refused but it’s a good example of excellent customer service.) There was thick cloud cover even outside the city but Kylie more than made up for us not being able to see any stars. She has a warm personality and we thoroughly enjoyed her stories about her Maori heritage, the stars (which she obviously loves) and everything and anything else. She was flexible to take us to a couple of other spots which are not normally included in the tour since the sky had left us in the lurch.
All in all, the people at Horizon Tours clearly love what they do and strive to deliver an unforgettable experience for their customers. You will definitely not feel as “one of the crowd” with these folks. We’d do either of the tours again in a heartbeat.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora Scott! Thank you so much for your fantastic review. Lyndon and I had a fabulous time with the two of you, and enjoyed our conversations immensely. If you and your beautiful partner ever do launch that lavender and walnut farm, you let us know!! All the best for your new contracts. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 26 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jemma O
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fab tour with James
Jan 2020 • Friends
Just got off an amazing tour booked last minute with James. He was friendly, accommodating from the start. He was knowledgeable about all elements of the tour adding in extras that he knew people in the small tour group of 4 people had expressed an interest in. James wants to share his passion and interest with tourists and this was evident. Really great day loved by everyone but as someone who loves to travel I highly recommend James and Horizon tours.
James thank you and keep doing a fab job because you are brilliant! My favourite was learning about the Maori history and seeing wildlife in their natural environment.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora Pathfinder, Thank you so much for your review. We love showing people our beautiful city, and appreciate you taking the risk with a last minute booking! James enjoyed the day with you all very much. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 11 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Go639798
Dunedin, New Zealand3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
All round excellence!
Jan 2021
We went on the "Wildlife and Wilderness" tour which took approximately 7 hours and let me tell you, that time flew by! Our guide Lyndon had a wealth of knowledge about everything we encountered. We started off in a wetland forest where he laid the foundations for why the forest was the way it was, and shared some fascinating Maori folklore about several plants along the way. Next stop up into the temperate cloud forest where we learnt more about seemingly inconspicuous plants some with some lets say... interesting attributes! Next it was off to the peninsula to see some sea lions, albatross and little blue penguins with some guest appearances from royal spoonbills and Otago shags (among others). Never had I experienced such a diverse spread of wildlife in the space of a few hours. If your looking for a tour that covers everything you'd want to do in Dunedin from a flora and fauna standpoint, this is the tour for you. Lyndon has a seemingly endless databank as well as an obvious passion for the wildlife around him. This was truly something special and I cannot recommend it enough!
Written 8 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora! Thank you for your review. What a fantastic rundown of your evening out with Lyndon. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 19 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maki H
Te Ngae, New Zealand12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing animal tour!
Feb 2021 • Friends
Lyndon took us incredible nature and animal tour. He is very knowledgeable and always make sure if we are safe and comfortable with good hospitality mind. He gave me a windbreaker jacket as another layer(Penguin tour is very windy and sometimes rain so you need an extra jacket for in case) we meet wild sea lions is the most memorable experience for us. I recommend HORIZON TOURS for your unforgettable trip!
Written 4 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora! Thank you for your review and recommendation. It really means a lot to us as a small company. We are happy that you enjoyed your tour out with us! Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 4 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michele R
New Zealand1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Best Tour/ Guide Ever
Aug 2022 • Solo
I had a fabulous trip with my very professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide James. He took me on as a solo passenger and made me very welcome and at ease. Between visiting all the beautiful Dunedin sights he found the time to look up and take me to the book shops I also wanted to visit. I would highly recommend this company and James for all your tourist needs.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora! Thank you so much for your review. We appreciate you taking the time. We try to ensure that we meet the needs of all out guests, and hope you got some great books to add to you collection. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau (family)
Written 10 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hava B
Tel Aviv, Israel35 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great expirience
Nov 2019
James, our guide and driver was great: being from a Mauri origin he shared a lot of information about the histiry and culture of his people, including Hongy (traditional greeting involving touching noses and forheads). He knows a lot about the wild life and we saw seals and a lot of different birds. A break with drinks, snakes and apples added a nice touch to this overall very nice experience.
Review of: Culture in Context Tour on the Otago Peninsula with lunch
Written 16 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora Hava B, Thank you so much for your review. We are so glad that you remembered so much of our culture from your tour. We hope to see you down this way again some day! Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 17 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TamKL
Hertfordshire22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Wonderful family run tour with a personal touch - don't miss!
Feb 2020
James is a star. He makes you feel welcome from the start. I loved hearing about his Maori culture. He remember everyone's names from the start. You can tell he is passionate about his job and sharing his knowlegde of Mauri culture and the wildlife in the area. We saw many sea lions including a mother and baby very close up.
Review of: Cruise Ship Wildlife and Cultural Tour with Lunch
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora! Thank you for your review. James is a star, that's why I married him lol! We love to share with our guests what we love about living in Dunedin, and of course being Maori. We are very pleased that you enjoyed your time with us. Nga mihi The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 16 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
larrykin
Wellington, New Zealand7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
5+++ tour-highly recommended to kiwis and tourist alike!
Jan 2020 • Friends
Had a fantastic evening with tour guide Lyndon. This tour covers everything you want to see re wildlife. We saw albatross, seals , other bird breeding grounds and also then went on a forest walk. Lyndon is extremely knowledgeable about plants and animals alike!we also had a kiwi meal of fish and chips( was included), but lyndons wife had also made small side salads and dessert. Everything was thought of from sauces to drinks ! Allan's beach is amazing and untouched, with seals chilling throughout the walk.
Highly recommend we were a group of kiwis with a couple of brazillians- the kiwis enjoyed it equally!
Review of: Wildlife and Wilderness Tour with an Ex Ranger
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora! Thanks so much for your review. It makes us extremely proud when we can show kiwi's a little slice of Aotearoa they might not have experienced before. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 2 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Petra
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great day out
Dec 2019 • Solo
Thanks to Lyndon and James it was a great day out exploring the Otago Peninsula. They have a great deal of knowledge about history, wildlife and the whole nature. It was interesting to listen to them and they shared their love for NZ with us. We saw sea lions, Albatrosses and lots of other birds while driving and cruising. They prepared lunch for us with local food and special tea. I highly recommend this trip
Review of: Peninsula Wildlife Tour with Lunch
Written 22 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora 4265Petra, Thankyou for your review. Sounds like you had a great trip out with the guys. We really appreciate your recommendation. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 25 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mick O
London, UK225 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Superb tour - wildlife, scenery, culture. Not to be missed
Nov 2019
Lyndon picked our small group up from the cruise terminal as planned, and we were then treated to a great tour featuring lovely scenery, an introduction to Dunedin town itself (including the famous railway station), and various wildlife encounters, including time on the water with all manner of seabirds.
No hesitation in saying this was the best tour of the whole cruise, and Lyndon is a truly knowledgeable and likeable host.
Review of: Cruise Ship Wildlife and Cultural Tour with Lunch
Written 8 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie R
Kia ora Mick O, Thank you so much for your review. What a wonderful acknowledgement to be your best tour on the whole cruise! We hope to see you down this way again. Nga mihi, The Horizon Tours Whanau, (family)
Written 11 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 261

HORIZON TOURS (Dunedin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

All Dunedin HotelsDunedin Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Dunedin
All things to do in Dunedin
Zoos & Aquariums in Dunedin
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday HomesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire