Awesome Tours
Awesome Tours
5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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About
Awesome Tours is a privately owned and operated small group tour business providing local scheduled tours, tailor made personalized multi day tours and shore excursion tours to meet your needs. These can include areas such as Milford Sound, Queenstown, West Coast, Mt Cook or the entire South Island. Day tours from Dunedin can include areas such as the Catlins and Moeraki Boulders and the Otago Peninsula. We provide small group scheduled and private shore excursion tours for cruise passengers while in Dunedin including pickup/return from/to Port, Key City Sights, Natures Wonders Argo Wildlife tours ( Yellow Eyed Penguins, NZ Fur Seals and much more) Natures Wonders authentic Sheep Shed experience, Larnach Castle and the Royal Albatross Colony.We look forward to being of service to you.
Dunedin, New Zealand
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Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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(22 reviews)
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5.0
216 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Amy S
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
Thanks again for such a wonderful tour - we had a fantastic day exploring Otago peninusula! Mark was the perfect guide and made our day so memorable.
Written 4 June 2023
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.
FarAway45576859730
1 contribution
Apr 2023
We just had the best experience with Mark on an “awesome tour” along the high road of the Otago Peninsula, and out to the Royal Albatross Centre. Mark was knowledgeable and friendly, and the transport was comfortable with superb views (spotting sealions along the way). Best of all, the albatross | toroa were gliding in the light wind - a spectacular sight - the cloud cover actually made the viewing easy. And the 10kg chicks ‘waddling’ along the bank were pretty cute! Absolutely recommend a Dunedin tour with Awesome Tours. ***** Five stars!
Written 8 May 2023
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.
Marie-Louise H
Brisbane, Australia37 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We had the best time with Mark from Awesome Tours. The name of the tour Awesome Tours being very apt. Mark collected us in the city and drove us to Natures Wonders. All the way he was pointing our different things and giving us so much information which was fabulous from city sights to the Peninsula. Natures Wonders is the most incredible place . We got to see Albatross, fur seals including babies , little blue penguins and yellow eyed penguins ( everything they promised ) The gentleman ( both at the desk and Martin ) were friendly and so informative. Back with Mark who was happy to give us a recommendation for dinner which was fantastic. The local knowledge was so appreciated as was the whole afternoon. We felt very spoilt ! Thanks Mark, Martin and the whole crew.
Written 5 May 2023
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.
Akshaiy N
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Solo
Got to see northern royal albatross, fur seal, sea lion, little blue penguin and yellow-eyed penguin. Transport was provided via different vehicles to cummute to and fro accommodation, restaurants and all attractions. The tour guide Mark Dixon was very cordial and knowledgable.
Written 14 April 2023
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.
cricketnut29
Auckland Central, New Zealand111 contributions
Mar 2023
We were on an Ovation of the Seas cruise around New Zealand and back to Sydney.
One of the ports we called at Port Chalmers on Wed 13th March allowed us the opportunity for us to organise a private tour with Mark Dixon from Awesome Tours. What a wonderful tour he allowed us for the half day we spent with him with the main attraction being going to Larnach Castle which we thoroughly enjoyed. In addition Mark dropped us off at the historic Dunedin Railways Station and we also had a half hour in Dunedin Central to stretch our legs. On the way back to the ship we went to Balwin Street the steepest street in the world before returning to Port Chalmers through the back streets of Dunedin. Throughout the tour we had expert and interesting commentary from Mark about the history surrounding the tragic ownership of Larnach Castle and about Dunedin.
We cannot speak more highly about this tour and Mark and strongly recommend any future visitors to Dunedin to use Awesome Tours. Also his rate is about half of what the cruise company tours are.
One of the ports we called at Port Chalmers on Wed 13th March allowed us the opportunity for us to organise a private tour with Mark Dixon from Awesome Tours. What a wonderful tour he allowed us for the half day we spent with him with the main attraction being going to Larnach Castle which we thoroughly enjoyed. In addition Mark dropped us off at the historic Dunedin Railways Station and we also had a half hour in Dunedin Central to stretch our legs. On the way back to the ship we went to Balwin Street the steepest street in the world before returning to Port Chalmers through the back streets of Dunedin. Throughout the tour we had expert and interesting commentary from Mark about the history surrounding the tragic ownership of Larnach Castle and about Dunedin.
We cannot speak more highly about this tour and Mark and strongly recommend any future visitors to Dunedin to use Awesome Tours. Also his rate is about half of what the cruise company tours are.
Written 25 March 2023
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.
JRB
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
Seeing the wildlife/scenery good; ppl running the tour were not so good. Thinly-veiled racism and a very unfriendly cafe/shop lady left me feeling sad that I paid for this experience. To start the tour, the van driver tried to convince us that the enslaved Māori were not kept in the caves he pointed to (contrary to what the Māori believe). Then he pointed to a field and made a "joke" about the sheep with brown wool being Māori sheep because of their color. When we arrived at the cafe before the start of the off-road, the lady running the cafe (that's part of the tour group) was incredibly unfriendly, wouldn't make a coffee, and initially didn't want to let us use the toilet. The penguins and seals were cool though.
Written 21 March 2023
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.
Darcy
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Yesterday we took a tour with Mark who was incredibly informative, kind and threw some fantastic jokes here and there! We went along and saw all these incredible views of Dunedin and Mark always told us amazing facts of the sights we saw as we went along. We had a fantastic time spotting the wildlife along the way and even Albatrosses! We visited Nature Wonders where we got to see some seals, yellow eyed and blue eyed penguins which was breath taking.
The tour was incredible and was one of the best things we did on this holiday. Thank you so so much to Mark, Awesome Tours and Nature Wonders for a wonderful time. :)
The tour was incredible and was one of the best things we did on this holiday. Thank you so so much to Mark, Awesome Tours and Nature Wonders for a wonderful time. :)
Written 28 February 2023
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.
Laura W
Waikoloa, HI13 contributions
Feb 2023
We booked a private tour for 9 people. We had such a great day out with Mark! He was so informative and kind. The van was very comfortable .
We saw the Moeraki Boulders, Seals, Railway Station, and other city sites.
We will book again when we come back. Mahalo Mark!!!
We saw the Moeraki Boulders, Seals, Railway Station, and other city sites.
We will book again when we come back. Mahalo Mark!!!
Written 27 February 2023
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.
Arlorio Maria
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Solo
Wildlife, such as blue penguins, seals and albatross. Spectacular view of Otago Peninsula with its beautiful hills and beaches
Written 23 February 2023
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.
Rhonda O
Grande Prairie, Canada116 contributions
Jan 2023
Our tour guide Sharon was our best tour guide on this cruise! My mother and I joined another couple for a full day tour of Dunedin. We travelled in a comfortable van with Sharon giving us plenty of information about the area. She was a fantastic driver and answered all our questions. We drove into Dunedin and had some free time to wander around. Then we went to Larnach Castle, where she toured us through the castle and gave us free time to wander the castle and the gardens, Then we went to Royal Albatross Center for lunch. She had pre-ordered our lunch for us, so it was ready when we arrived. Then she stood in a long line while we ate our lunch. By the time she was at the front of the line, we went and paid for our lunch and then carried on. Then we headed to Natures Wonders for a wildlife tour to see baby NZ seals and penguins still in the nest. Sharon was very considerate of our time and made sure we had the best experience and saw the most during our tour.
We highly recommend Awesome Tours. The owner mark, was with another group and he kept checking on us to see how we were enjoying our day.
We highly recommend Awesome Tours. The owner mark, was with another group and he kept checking on us to see how we were enjoying our day.
Written 20 February 2023
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.
Deborah H
Baltimore, MD2 contributions
We are a group of 8 in our mid sixties coming Oct 24th on the Ovation of the Seas. Need something to do in Dunedin. Heard Nature Tour was great. Trying to decide if we should get off the ship for a multi day tour to Queenstown and then over to Dunedin but I think we would miss cruising the sounds. Any input on that
awesometoursnz
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Hi Debbie, Good to hear from you and thank you for your email enquiry and interest in our shore excursion tour for 24th Oct 2019 while in Dunedin NZ.
We are a private tour operator offering small group shore excursions tours of Dunedin and to the Otago Peninsula highlights for cruise ship passengers, shared Or a Private Tailor-made tour.
We offer a variety of shore excursion tour options, please check out our Awesome Tours NZ website for details.
In addition, we take a circuit of the city including a short stop at Baldwin Street (the steepest St in the World) before we head down the Otago Peninsula. On return to the City we will also stop off at and Dunedin Railway Station voted in the top 200 places in the world to visit and photograph.
We do pick up our pre-booked guests from the cruise ship and take you into the city centre for a little free time before the tour officially starts. We return everybody that’s on our tour back to the Cruise Ship by the required time.
Tour pricing - covers pickup from & drop back to Port, all Transport, driver/guide, entry fees to attractions (x2 major attractions & some City Sights) and 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax) While time is made for a lunch break, the cost of your lunch, is your own care.
While at Natures Wonders, you will travel by small coach over the farmland to the wildlife viewing areas enjoying some beautiful scenery on the way
OR
Private tailor-made tour:
In this case you have your own vehicle and driver/guide for the day and the option to pick the attractions or activities you want to see/do throughout the day.
That base price for up to 6 people is NZ$798 split between the number of people in your group ( 6 people nz$133 per person vehicle & driver/guide only) plus, any applicable entry fees, per person, to any attraction you might choose to visit throughout the day. (7-10 people $1150 & 11-19 people $1500)
The base Price covers pickup from & drop back to Port, all Transport, driver/guide, some Key City sights, Baldwin Street (Steepest St in the World) and Dunedin Railway Station (in the top 200 places photographed in the World) some free time in the city centre (usually about 1 hr, a bit of shopping or a good coffee ) and 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax). You could replace this free time (or some of the City Sights with a visit to the Chinese Gardens.
Added to that base price are any entry fees to the attraction/activities you may choose to do throughout the day, such as (in the City Centre) Speights Brewery (NZ$28pa/$12pc) or Overton House (NZ$21pa/$10pc). The Chinese Gardens (NZ$9.50pa Children under13yrs free) (and On the Otago Peninsula), Larnach Castle (NZ$32pa/$10pc) or maybe the Royal Albatross Colony (NZ$52pa/$20pc) or view the Yellow Eyed & Little Blue Penguins & NZ Fur seals at Natures Wonders (NZ$45pa/$36pc) Albatross Express Wildlife cruise (NZ$55pp).
Time wise you have a couple of options:
1. You can fit 2 major attractions on the Otago Peninsula with some free time in the city and some key city sights OR,
2. No free time in the city, replaced by 1 major attraction in the city (e.g. Chinese Gardens) and then 2 major attractions on the Otago Peninsula.
A lunch break is provided for but at your own expense.
If you choose Natures Wonders Wildlife Tour, You will travel by small coach over the farmland to the wildlife viewing areas enjoying some beautiful scenery on the way. .
TO BOOK:
I just need an email from you confirming what options you decide on and I also require a list of full names for all those in your group that are joining this tour. (Legal requirement)
If you choose this private option then once you advise us the attractions you would like to visit, I will secure your spots at those attractions. A secure payment link will be sent to you 45 days out from the tour date (or earlier if you prefer) and full payment shows you accept our T&Cs (also on our website) and secures the tour, or if you wanted to send us your credit cards details ( best sent over two emails) or phone through, that would keep the bank fees down for both of us :)
BOOKINGS are Essential, it is highly recommended to book your tour well in advance to secure your place on our very popular shore excursion day tours for cruise ship passengers.
We would welcome the opportunity to show you around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula and look forward to hearing back from you soon. In the meantime, if you have any other questions, please just ask.
Regarding the Milford Sound Overland option.
Milford Sound overnight tour option is not something we have offered to cruise passengers in the past. There is a risk involved in that we might drive all the way into Milford Sound only to find you cannot get off the ship, for one reason or another to join our tour. If this happened, it would be of no concern to the cruise ship, so leaves the question, who would be prepared to cover our costs, if that should happen? It would be a minimum charge of two days at NZ$920 per day and one night’s accommodation for the driver/guide.
We have been inclined to leave this overnight tour up to the cruise ship
Cheers Mark
Business Owner/operator
Awesome Tours NZ
Becky K
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Our ship Norwegian Jewel is arriving to Dunedin on 11 January 2018 at 9 am and departs at 5 pm. we are 6 people group and would like to do sightseeing what do you advise and the cost.
Becky K
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Hi Mark
We are all seniors and interested in sightseeing around Dunedin and Otango peninsula. If you could quote me the price I could check with my group and make the booking
Thanks
Becky
maurconn49
Long Island, NY1 contribution
Is there much steep walking or stairs to be climbed for viewing?
awesometoursnz
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Hello, thank you for your interest in our wildlife tours. At Natures Wonders you will travel by coach to the wildlife viewing areas, there is very little walking involved however, there is one penguin viewing hide which does involve walking down a steep incline into the viewing area. One can choose not to walk into this hide and still enjoy the views and hopefully some penguin viewing on the beach below.
Hope this answers your question and that we meet you on one of our Eco Wildlife tours soon.
All the best Mark
Junior1962
Melbourne, Australia11 contributions
We will be in Dunedin on 22 Jan 2017 with Princess Cruises. I like the look of your "experience a taste of Dunedin" tour but can't find any info of the tour price. There will be 3 adults.
ngc825
St Louis, MO27 contributions
We are four adults interested in a private tour of Dunedin on 27 February 2017. Our ship is due in port at 7 am and we sail at 4pm.
Please tell us what you offer and the cost for four.
equez1958
Sydney, Australia42 contributions
Hi
my hubby and I are in dunedin on april 11th on dawn princess and are interested in the option 2. Could you provide details and price please
awesometoursnz
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Hi , Thank you for your email and interest in one of our tour while visiting Dunedin 11th April 2016. We are a private tour operator offering small group shore excursions tours of Dunedin and to the Otago Peninsula highlights for cruise ship passengers and are can confirm have seats available (just 8) on our tour Option 2: Key City Sights/Natures Wonders/Larnach Castle, at the time of writing this email.
You can view more details or BOOK your tour on our website.
In addition, we will visit Baldwin Street (the steepest St in the World) before we head down the Otago Peninsula. On return to the City we will also make a short stop at Dunedin Railway Station voted in the top 200 places in the world to visit and photograph.
We do pick up our pre-booked guests from the cruise ship (we will be on the wharf waiting FROM 8.30am looking to depart Port by 8.40am, but wouldn’t leave without you. Once we have you on board, we head into the city centre for a bit of free time, departing the City Centre at 10.30am. We do return everybody that’s on our tour back to the Cruise Ship by the required time.
Tour pricing - covers pickup from & drop back to Port, all Transport, driver/guide, entry fees to attractions (x2 major attractions & some City Sights ) and 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax) While time is made for a lunch break, the cost of your lunch, is your own care.
Here are our Payment & Cancellation policies for your information.
Payment Policy:
Awesome Tours NZ Tour Reservation and Payment
Payment may be made by
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
Bookings made for shared tour within 45 days of the tour departure date must be paid in full to secure your place on the tour.
For bookings made prior to 45 days from the tour departure date, credit card details must be supplied to secure your booking. Full payment for the tour is payable 45 days prior to the tour departure date at which time your credit card will be debited for the full amount of the tour price. Please note that we will treat this information as confidential and will not disclose any details to other companies without your express instruction.
Cancellation Policy:
Awesome Tours NZ Cancellation
For tours that have been paid in advance.
Cancellations must be advised in writing to Awesome Tours.
Unless agreed otherwise in writing between Awesome Tours and the client at time of booking, Awesome Tours cancellation policy is as follows:
• At least 60 days prior to the tour departure date, 90% of the tour price is refundable.
• 30-60 days prior to the tour departure date, 80% of the tour price is refundable.
• 10-30 days prior to the tour departure date, 50% of the tour price is refundable.
• Less than 10 days prior to the tour departure date, no refund is made.
• Once the tour has commenced, no refund is made.
In the unlikely event a cruise ship is not able to dock at Port Chambers (Dunedin) on the day – Awesome Tours agrees to refund 100% of the pre-paid tour price.
BOOKINGS are Essential, It is highly recommended to book your tour well in advance to secure your place on our very popular shore excursion day tours for cruise ship passengers.
We would welcome the opportunity to show you around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula and look forward to hearing back from you soon. In the meantime if you have any other questions, please just ask.
Have a great week.
Cheers Mark
Business Owner/operator
Awesome Tours NZ
Patrick A
Melton, Australia11 contributions
Hello, we will be in Dunedin on the 27th of Jan 2016 via Princess Cruises, I have a family of 5, including three teenagers. I have heard that the excursions from the ship are rather expensive and is mainly aimed for (not to offend) seniors. We all love sight seeing but want a little excitement as well. What would you recommend that could cater for all of us? Thanks
awesometoursnz
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Hi, thank you for your inquiry and interest in our shore excursion tours while visiting Dunedin 27th Jan 2016. We are a private tour operator offering small group shore excursions tours of Dunedin and to the Otago Peninsula highlights for cruise ship passengers.
Please visit our website for full details on our available tour options of our most popular scheduled shared tours and at this time there are seats available on both these tour options.
Option 1: Key City Sights/Natures Wonders/The Royal Albatross Colony.
Option 2: Key City Sights/Natures Wonders/Larnach Castle.
In addition, to what you will read on the flyers we take a circuit of the city including a short stop at Baldwin Street (the steepest St in the World) before we head down the Otago Peninsula. On return to the City we will also stop off at and Dunedin Railway Station voted in the top 200 places in the world to visit and photograph.
We do pick up our pre-booked guests from the cruise ship (we will be on the wharf waiting FROM 8.45am looking to depart Port by 8.50am) but wouldn’t leave without you. Once we have you on board, we head into the city centre for a bit of free time, departing the City Centre at 10.30am. We do return everybody that’s on our tour back to the Cruise Ship by the required time.
Tour pricing - covers pickup from & drop back to Port, all Transport, driver/guide, entry fees to attractions (x2 major attractions & some City Sights ) and 15% GST (Government Goods & Services Tax) While time is made for a lunch break, the cost of your lunch, is your own care. We stop at a local seaside pub for lunch.
In the unlikely event a cruise ship is not able to dock at Port Chambers (Dunedin) on the day – Awesome Tours agrees to refund 100% of the pre-paid tour price.
BOOKINGS are Essential, It is highly recommended to book your tour well in advance to secure your place on our very popular shore excursion day tours for cruise ship passengers.
We would welcome the opportunity to show you all around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula and look forward to hearing back from you soon. In the meantime if you have any other questions, please just ask.
If you need any assistant with booking a shore excursion tours in any one of the other Ports around New Zealand, please let me know.
Have a great week.
Cheers Mark
Mark R Dixon
Business Owner
Awesome Tours NZ
P O Box 1360
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand
Liljana M
Sydney, Australia
Hi, how does one book a tour?
Thanks
Liljana
awesometoursnz
Dunedin, New Zealand7 contributions
Thank you for your question and interest in Awesome Tours NZ.
Please refer to our website where you will find our schedules tours listed. If you require information on a private tailed emaul please email us directly.
Thank you and all the best. Mark