Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula is a fantastic area for visitors to explore – however if you find yourself with limited time in this beautiful South Island city… don’t panic!

Check out this one day self tour of Dunedin city highlights plus Otago Peninsuala.

Start your sightseeing tour of Dunedin with an insight into how the city became known as the "Edinburgh of the South".

Enjoy a superb collection of the local Victorian and Edwardian architecture including the Dunedin Railway Station, the Dunedin High Court, First Church, St Paul's Cathedral and the Municipal Chambers in The Octagon, the terrace houses of upper Stuart Street, the Otago Boys' High School, St Josephs Cathedral to the left of upper Stuart Street and Otago Boys' High School . Drive past the Olveston Historic House home on Royal Terrace, which is open for viewing by the general public.

Continue on to view the University of Otago, the first to be established in New Zealand. Directly opposite the University of Otago is the Otago Museum and Discovery World where you can enjoy the natural history displays outlining many of the areas geological and wildlife attractions.

Drive along North Road to the infamous Baldwin Street - the steepest hill in the world, and continue to Signal Hill Lookout for views over Dunedin city, the Otago Peninsula and Otago Harbour.

The Botanic Garden is situated on Cumberland Street, part of the main one way system back into the central city. Here a series of guided garden tours are available depending on your particular interests. The Rhododendron Dell in the upper garden is particularly well known and is in full bloom in October during the Rhododendron Festival.

Begin your journey onto Otago Peninsula by taking Highcliff Road along the top ridge of the rolling green hills, alongside stonewalled farms. Enjoy spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean, peninsula beaches and Otago Harbour.

Larnach Castle was built in 1871 and is situated on 30 acres of beautiful gardens and lush grounds. The castle is open daily and is a must see if you are in the region!

Hoopers and Papanui Inlets boast a large variety of birds, then carry onto Portobello, explore the unique ceramic craft studios in this quaint seaside village. The WestpacTrust Aquarium is also found in Portobello and presents an ever changing display of local marine life.

Further along Harington Point Road you will discover Penguin Place - the Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation reserve. Here you have the opportunity to join a small group for a 1.5 hour tour to view the nesting area of this penguin which provides excellent photographic opportunities.

The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head is only a short distance from Penguin Place and is the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross in the world. Small groups are guided through the displays at the Colony's modern visitor complex. The second part of the tour takes you to the main observation area to see these majestic sea birds in their natural environment.

Another interesting feature of Taiaroa Head is the Armstrong Disappearing Gun, built in the early 1800's to protect Dunedin from the perceived threat of Russian invasion. The gun is the only one in the world still in working order.

Within 5 minutes drive from Taiaroa Head, back along Harington Point Road, Wellers Rock Jetty is one of the ports of call for Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours. A series of one hour cruises on the Otago Harbour focuses on the geology, wildlife and history of Taiaroa Head and surrounding coastline.

After your tour, return to Dunedin along Harington Point Road and Portobello Road into Dunedin.