Heritage Walking Tour: Uncover Hidden Stories with Darkest Dunedin
4.6
25 Ratings
Dunedin
The narratives that Gregor investigates are seldomly known. Representative of extensive years of study, these stories are unique to Tales From Darkest Dunedin. With a comprehensive understanding of the locale and its past, Darkest Dunedin ensures you depart with the familiarity of a resident and feeling equally cherished!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- The Octagon - Starting the tour here, learn about the amazing buildings that survive in the center of town. It survives by good luck rather than good planning.
- Dunedin Railway Station - The Dunedin Railway Station is the second most photographed building in the southern hemisphere, second to the Sydney Opera House. We go inside the foyer of the station with its Royal Doulton tiled walls and mosaic floor made with approximately half a million pieces. She’s currently under works so covered with scaffolding, however they’ve kindly printed a picture of the building on the outside!
- Toitu Otago Settlers Museum - Passing Toitu we see Josephine, the first locomotive in Otago and hear its story - how it came here, how it was nearly lost to history and how it survived.
- Queens Garden - At Queens Gardens the tale is told of the first Scottish settlers, how they were welcomed by the Kai Tahu Maori, how they dealt with rain and mud, and why it was all worthwhile.
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Princes Street - In the Exchange area we see the winged monkeys of the Cargill memorial and other fanciful shapes carved in stone.
Up the remains of Bell Hill we climb, up Dunedin’s ugliest piece of architecture, to where a trophy of the Great War was once on display. - Tennyson Street - Then past Otago Girls High School, oldest girls school in the Commonwealth outside the UK, whose pupils were forbidden to use the steps we have just climbed.
- Fortune Theatre - Past the church now called the Fortune Theatre, the oldest church building in Dunedin and the old library building - the gift of Andrew Carnegie.
- First Church of Otago - Finally, the First Church building, unfortunately closed for the moment, but showing a wealth of carved details and holding a special place in your guide’s life - his parents were married there.
What's Included
- In-person guide for commentary and direction
What's Not Included
- Private Transport
Location
50 The Octagon
The Octagon
Meet your guide under the clock tower of the 1880's municipal chambers building in The Octagon, outside the iSite entrance. They'll be holding a Tales From Darkest Dunedin sign.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(25 Ratings)
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Pastor_j
Mar 17, 2024
Great customer support. - Unfortunately we were not able to go on the tour because of a last minute family issue. Our tour guide cancelled and gave a full refund. Great customer support. We look forward to using them in the future.
Review provided by Viator
154stuartk
Mar 4, 2024
Love the quirkiness - We booked this walking tour to get a feel for the city during our port visit from a cruise ship. Although the city is walkable on your own having a knowledgeable guide brings the city to life. Without this tour we would never have heard of the Dunedin sound or visited a most remarkable pub. Quirky, but if that's your thing (and it is ours) this is a great tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan_m
Feb 27, 2024
Memorable walking tour - The most memorable part of the walking tour was learning about Dunedin's dark history. You would expect that from a tour firm that is named Tales from Darkest Dunedin. Lolene provided a hugely entertaining experience!
Review provided by Viator
Riza_b
Feb 27, 2024
Excellent guide! - We got very lucky to have Lolene, our tour guide. She’s very knowledgeable, and she took the time to answer all the questions we have, she even went out of her way to show us more things than what the tour covers. Excellent walking tour of the city of Dunedin!!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Sid_l
Feb 27, 2024
Super tour guide. - Our tour guide, Lolene, was very informative and pleasant to lead the group. She shared so much information as she had lived there her entire life, and made the tour interesting.
Review provided by Viator
Lifeisabeach2015
Feb 12, 2024
Great walking tour of Historic Dunedin - Loleen was excellent. Informative and entertaining tour of Historic Dunedin. An easy relatively level walk in a very hilly town.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lonniel146
Jan 22, 2024
Loved it. - Was the only one that showed up so I had a private tour. I got more information and insight from this wonderful city. Thanks again for a great visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Louise_p
Jan 19, 2024
Wonderful ,informative tour 🌟🌟🌟 - This tour was fabulous. Lolene imparted so much knowledge and had a real love of her city of Dunedin. Thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this tour and would recommend without hesitation
Review provided by Viator
Maureen_c
Dec 21, 2023
Dunedin Done Right! - Gregor shared so many fascinating stories of early Dunedin. He brought the city and its residents to life (and death). The tour was perfect for my grandson (19) and me (70). We were so happy to have chosen this walking tour.
Review provided by Viator
Rosemary_b
Nov 28, 2023
Very informative and engaging tour - Thank you Gregory! - Gregory was very knowledgeable and informative. Shared lots of gems about the heritage of Dunedin. An easy and comfortable walk and well worth the cost! High recommend. Two CDN travellers.
Review provided by Viator
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