OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Larnach Castle / Olveston Tour | $240 NZD per person

Time: depart 8.30am, return 2.00pm

Larnach Castle was built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell. The Castle is still privately owned by the Barker family who purchased it in 1967. They have assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques.

Lunch can be purchased from the café at the Castle.

Olveston was built for Dunedin businessman, collector and philanthropist David Theomin in the 1900s and was designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George Olveston. It opened as a historic house museum in 1967 and remains a time capsule as little has changed inside the house since it was occupied. It is an authentic and original historic home depicting the life of a wealthy merchant.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary | $175 NZD per person

Time: depart 8.30am, return 2.00pm

Orokonui is a 307-hectare biodiversity sanctuary and is home to many threatened species and habitats. The long-term goal is to ensure its species and community thrive. The tour includes 1.5 hour guided walk through pristine native bush. At least 20 native bird species, lizards, frogs and the iconic Tuatara reside within the sanctuary.

Refreshments can be purchased from the Café and the trip home includes a stop at Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world!

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Wildlife Cruise | $210 NZD per person

Time: depart 10.00am, return 2.00pm

Board our private charter for an exclusive 2.5 hour cruise to see albatross and other wildlife on the Otago Peninsula. An experienced guide will tell you all about the unique features the area offers and the plants and animals that call it home. Refreshments are available on board.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Hocken Collections Tour | complimentary

Time: Meet at the University of Otago library 2.00pm, ends 3.30pm

Enjoy a walk through the public areas and closed stacks of the Library. View selected material from the collections relating to the history of science and technology in New Zealand.

If you have not registered to attend the Congress, you can book this during the registration process.

If you have already registered to attend the Congress and want to add on this activity, please email Georgia for your link to book.

Beverly Begg Observatory visit | $20 NZD per person

Time: depart 1.30pm, return 3.30pm

The Beverly-Begg Observatory was established in 1922 by the Dunedin Astronomical Society and named after local astronomers: Arthur Beverly and John Begg. An annex was added in the 1960s. The brick building has a 12-foot revolving dome covering the equatorial with a row of shutters in the meridian line for the transit instrument. Telescopes mounted are on concrete pillars. In 2008 the society unveiled a new 35cm Celestron instrument on a Software Bisque Paramount ME robotic telescope mount with camera, replacing a 30.5 cm reflector telescope that had been in use since 1973.

We recommend you take a warm jacket. And please note, there are no bathroom facilities at this venue.

If you have not registered to attend the Congress, you can book this during the registration process.

If you have already registered to attend the Congress and want to add on this activity, please email Georgia for your link to book.

Otago Gold Fields Tour | $150 NZD per person

Time: depart 8.30am, return 5.00pm

A guided tour into Central Otago with narration on the site of the major Gabriels Gully gold rush, the unique mining sequence of the massive Blue Spur, and other significant alluvial gold mining sites, relating to innovative technology or international technology exchanges. Packed lunch included. Comprehensive itinerary coming soon.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Wine Tasting Dinner | $240 NZD per person

Time: depart 5.30pm, return late

Wine tasting with Jacqueline Jubel, one of New Zealand’s recognised sommeliers. Jacqueline will guide you through some of NZs best varieties before you enjoy a three-course set menu with paired wines at one of Dunedin’s finest restaurants; No 7 Balmac. Includes transfers, wine tasting, dinner with wine match.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Penguin Tour | $250 NZD per person

Time: depart 3.30pm, return 9.00pm

We take the high road for views of the Otago Peninsula. At dusk, we will enjoy a close up viewing of little penguins returning from a day at sea within the Takiharuru Pilots Beach nature reserve. Watch penguins as they scurry up the beach to their cliff-face burrows just a few metres away, allowing for awesome viewing and photography.

We head back with a stop at the historic Portobello Hotel (dinner and beverages not included – meals from $27, bar snacks available) before returning to your hotel.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

City Sights | $80 NZD per person

Time: depart 1.00pm, return 3.00pm

A guided coach tour of the Worlds Steepest Street, Signal Hill Lookout for a view over the city, Botanic Gardens and its impressive bird aviary and the famous Dunedin Railway Station.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Brewery Tour | $210 NZD per person

Time: depart 1.00pm, return 5.00pm

Visit 3 of Dunedin’s breweries with over 140 years of brewing history. We’ll explore the brewery industry from top to bottom. No tour would be complete without a sample or three and we will enjoy a few. Visits include Speights, Emersons and a local craft brewery. (NOTE: tasting included at Speights and Emersons only).

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Gas Works | $50 NZD per person

Time: depart 9.30am, return 12.00pm

The Dunedin Gasworks Museum is part of the now closed Dunedin Gasworks which was New Zealand’s first and last gasworks, operating from 1863 until 1987. It is one of only three known preserved gasworks museums in the world. This is a significant local and world heritage site. We’ll even see the Static Steam Engine in action.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Mount Cook overnight | $1,650 NZD per person

Time: depart 9.00am, return the following day 3.00pm

The trip departs early morning for a 3.5 hour ride through the valleys, hydro lakes, and mountains until we reach Mt Cook Hermitage.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

In the heart of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park we cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake. Experience the enormity of NZ's largest glacier as we weave in and out of floating icebergs. It’s a surreal and mesmerising experience in a totally unique environment. No two days are the same on the Tasman Lake with a constant shifting of conditions, which simply adds to the magic of this very special place.

This tour is designed to both thrill and educate as you learn about the ever-changing glacial landscape. Icebergs of every shape and size periodically tear away from the face of the glacier into the rapidly growing lake. It’s difficult to predict when a calving will take place but it’s possible we will witness one whilst on tour – it’s really quite spectacular. A trip on Glacier Explorers is a unique opportunity to truly feel small as the lateral moraines, which are sharp-crested piles of glacially transported rocks and debris that are dropped by the ice as it melts, rear up almost 200m. The lateral moraines remind us of the grand scale that the glacier has reached in previous times.

One night accommodation included at the Hermitage allows time to walk some of the stunning tracks before heading back to Dunedin.

No meals included.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Taieri Gorge Railway | $165 NZD per person

Time: depart the train station 9.30am, return 2.15pm (Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July ONLY)

Enjoy incredible scenery in the Taieri Gorge as we hear stories about Otago's rich history from our onboard commentator. Admire the engineering feats of early railway pioneers including hand-made tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct, the tallest wrought iron structure in Australasia.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.

Toitu Settlers Museum | Free admission (donations welcome)

31 Queens Garden
Open daily 10.00am – 5.00pm

The Museum galleries trace the fascinating journeys from the earliest settlers, Kai Tahu and their ancestors, to the most recent arrivals. Themed galleries weave the stories of past and present with future thinking, featuring interactive displays with stunning visuals and powerful narratives.

Local hosts provide a friendly and helpful information service about the museum exhibitions, public programme, events, and facilities.

Lan Luan Chinese Garden | $15 NZD per person

39 Queens Garden
Open daily 10.00am – 5.00pm

A perfect miniature of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, this Garden encapsulates the essence of nature. Recognized as a six-star Garden of International Significance, its purpose is to guide you on a journey towards a deeper appreciation of history, culture, heritage, and tradition.

Its origins come from a desire to celebrate the city's Chinese heritage and its valuable sister city relationship with Shanghai.

Email office@bookatour.co.nz to book.