Call us on 646-895-8368
Start Planning
A narrow dirt walking path leading up a grassy ridge toward a lighthouse surrounded by the ocean.

Luxury Travel to Dunedin and Coastal Otago made for you

Explore dramatic coastal landscapes, spot native wildlife and learn about the area’s rich Māori history

The South Island's Scottish stronghold

The main city of the southern part of the South Island, Dunedin is a vibrant place to spend a few days. Its name is distinctly Scottish and the city has a strong and proud Celtic history. The New Zealand Company picked the Otago Harbour as the site for a Scottish settlement in the 1800s; one of the first people to arrive was Thomas Burns, the nephew of famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

The city is full of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and its centre is compact and easy to explore. It is centred around The Octagon, which itself is surrounded by the Public Art Gallery, municipal chambers and St. Pauls cathedral.

Dunedin is a university town and there is a good selection of lively restaurants and bars. It is also a great base from which to explore the Otago Peninsula with its rugged landscape, beautiful beaches and wildlife.

100km north of Dunedin is the coastal town of Oamaru, known for its white stone architecture and preserved heritage buildings. In the late 19th century, the town prospered thanks to gold mining and quarrying, and several elegant buildings were built from the local limestone. Oamaru Harbour is also home to a colony of little blue penguins – head to the beach just before sunset and see them waddling down to their resting place for the night. There are also yellow-eyes penguins that can be viewed from a special hide.

Inbetween Oamaru and Dunedin are the mystical Moeraki Boulders. These enormous spherical rocks, weighing several tonnes each, are scattered across Koekohe Beach and it is believed they formed in the sea floor sediment around 60 million years ago. Maori legend has it that the boulders are remains of gourds and eel baskets that were washed ashore when the legendarry canoe, the Araiteruru was wrecked at Shag Point.

  • Grassy sand dunes leading down to a broad sandy beach and blue ocean bay with rock formations.
  • Rocky sea stacks and small islets protruding from vibrant blue and turquoise ocean water.
  • A fluffy sheep laying in grassy field with the ocean shore softly blurred in the background.
  • A lone hiker walking along a wide dirt cliffside trail next to ocean waves crashing against rocks.
  • A fur seal poking its head up between brown coastal rocks with its mouth open wide.
  • Golden-green tussock grass tufts covering a hillside above a crashing ocean coastline.
  • Two yellow-eyed penguins with yellow head markings standing together on rocks.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Dunedin and Otago coast specialists

Spot Otago’s native wildlife

Head to the Otago Peninsula’s remote corners alongside expert guides in search of New Zealand fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins and royal albatrosses.

See the world’s smallest penguins

Witness the return of little blue penguins to Ōamaru’s harbour foreshore, where they arrive in rafts and waddle to their nests.

Visit the Moeraki Boulders

Learn the Māori legend behind these spherical rocks scattered across Koekohe Beach, formed over 60 million years ago.

A word from one of our experts

These are some of my favourite places in New Zealand for spotting wild animals among breathtaking coastal scenery. You might see rare penguins, enormous rookeries of New Zealand fur seals and colonies of sea birds like royal albatrosses.

Charlie Morris Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Dunedin and Coastal Otago

There are many incredible places to stay in Dunedin and Coastal Otago. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

New Zealand trip inspiration

Get inspired with our New Zealand example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

15 days From $28,650

Essential New Zealand

A wonderful introduction to New Zealand, this 15-day luxury trip takes in both New Zealand’s North and South Islands, passing through epic landscapes, friendly…

Explore trip

15 days From $54,586

Ultimate New Zealand

Spend two weeks experiencing the best New Zealand has to offer, from incredible scenery and lush winelands, to astounding stargazing, quaint village life, luxu…

Explore trip

10 days From $19,042

The Best of the North Island

Experience the natural beauty and traditional culture of New Zealand’s North Island. This ten-day trip takes you from the idyllic scenery of the Bay of Islands…

Explore trip

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Dunedin and Coastal Otago adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Where to go

Meet your Australasia team

Japan travel guides

When to visit Dunedin and Coastal Otago

Located on New Zealand’s South Island, these coastal areas are home to a thriving variety of marine life. New Zealand fur seals lounge along the rocky shores of Otago and Dunedin all year round. Visit around May to October to spot seal pups wrestling among the rocks or basking in the sunshine. Ōamaru’s little blue penguins return to their nests along the harbour foreshore at dusk. Between November and December – during their breeding season – you might see hundreds gather together.

New Zealand fur seals

Year round

Little blue penguins

November - December

When Is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

Plan your trip to Dunedin and Coastal Otago

Whatever you want from your adventure in Dunedin and Coastal Otago, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

Find Out More