{"schema_version":1,"title":"Port Chalmers","type":"portabout","url":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/","collected":"2026-10-18","alternates":{"markdown":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/index.md","json":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/index.json"},"data":{"portPath":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers","country":"New Zealand","guidance":[],"months":[{"value":"2026-12","path":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/timetable/2026-12"},{"value":"2027-01","path":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/timetable/2027-01"},{"value":"2027-03","path":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/timetable/2027-03"}],"totalCalls":7,"aliases":[],"month":"2026-12","page":1,"rows":[{"date":"2026-12-04","ship":"Carnival Splendor","arrival":"07:00","departure":"16:00","departure_date":null,"berth":"","tender_status":"unknown","sources":["shoreexcursions-itinerary"],"ship_url":"/s/carnival-cruise-line/carnival-splendor","voyages":[{"url":"/v/carnival-cruise-line/carnival-splendor/20261128-20261208/","label":"10 nights \u00b7 Round trip to Sydney \u00b7 2026-11-28"}],"anchor":"call-5a18210646d47bff"},{"date":"2026-12-12","ship":"Viking Venus","arrival":null,"departure":null,"departure_date":null,"berth":"","tender_status":"unknown","sources":["shoreexcursions-itinerary"],"ship_url":"/s/viking/viking-venus","voyages":[{"url":"/v/viking/viking-venus/20261206-20261220/","label":"14 nights \u00b7 Auckland to Sydney \u00b7 2026-12-06"}],"anchor":"call-8021bef8fc87ffff"},{"date":"2026-12-14","ship":"Royal Princess","arrival":"09:45","departure":"19:00","departure_date":null,"berth":"","tender_status":"unknown","sources":["shoreexcursions-itinerary"],"ship_url":"/s/princess-cruises/royal-princess","voyages":[{"url":"/v/princess-cruises/royal-princess/20261128-20261218/","label":"20 nights \u00b7 Airlie Beach to Sydney \u00b7 2026-11-28"}],"anchor":"call-4c4c29e81e2084c6"},{"date":"2026-12-28","ship":"Viking Venus","arrival":null,"departure":null,"departure_date":null,"berth":"","tender_status":"unknown","sources":["shoreexcursions-itinerary"],"ship_url":"/s/viking/viking-venus","voyages":[{"url":"/v/viking/viking-venus/20261220-20270103/","label":"14 nights \u00b7 Sydney to Auckland \u00b7 2026-12-20"}],"anchor":"call-79e1e8e0794b9a24"},{"date":"2026-12-30","ship":"Norwegian Spirit","arrival":"09:30","departure":"16:00","departure_date":null,"berth":"","tender_status":"unknown","sources":["shoreexcursions-itinerary"],"ship_url":"/s/norwegian-cruise-line/spirit","voyages":[{"url":"/v/norwegian-cruise-line/spirit/20261220-20270106/","label":"17 nights \u00b7 Melbourne to Sydney \u00b7 2026-12-20"}],"anchor":"call-90469d917a87d466"}],"rowStart":1,"rowEnd":5,"monthTotal":5,"pagination":[{"number":1,"path":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/timetable/2026-12"}],"timetablepath":"/p/new-zealand/port-chalmers/timetable/2026-12","about":{"currency":"NZD","currencyurl":"https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=NZD","portmap":"https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Port+Chalmers+New+Zealand","facts":[["Getting ashore","Most ships dock at Port Chalmers, about 14 to 15 km north-east of Dunedin"],["Into town","Orbus route 14 or a shuttle to the Octagon; taxi about 45 NZD one way"],["Best starting point","The Octagon in central Dunedin, with the Otago Museum and Baldwin Street nearby"],["Currency","New Zealand dollar (NZD)"]],"sections":[["Getting ashore","Most ships dock at Port Chalmers, about 14 to 15 km north-east of central Dunedin. Larger vessels use a pier, and smaller ships use a wharf about 1 km from the Octagon. The permanent terminal building was added in 2016, with six new bollards rated at 150 tonnes each, against 70 tonnes for the old ones, and two breast-line bollards. The terminal has an i-SITE visitor centre and a taxi rank. In 2016 the port had 87 ship calls and about 250,000 passengers, and Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to visit New Zealand, called that year. The calendar lists Celebrity Edge on 21 October 2026 from 08:00 to 18:00, and Celebrity Solstice on 27 October 2026 from 07:00 to 17:00. Check the cruise line's itinerary for the berth."],["For walkers and architecture fans","Port Chalmers itself takes one to two hours in town, with time for the Flagstaff Lookout and the Hotere Sculpture Garden. The town has about 3,000 residents, and the walk up to the lookout is moderate because of the climb. In Dunedin, Baldwin Street is listed by Guinness as the steepest street in the world, at a 34.8 per cent gradient, and the walk to the top takes about ten minutes. Free attractions include the Railway Station, the Otago Museum, the Public Art Gallery, the Toit\u016b Otago Settlers Museum and several churches. Dunedin Prison offers weekend tours from October to April, at 15 NZD for adults and 5 NZD for school-age children, cash only. Olveston house tours cost 23 NZD for adults, and the Chinese Garden costs 11 NZD. Prices change, so check before you go."],["For nature and outdoor fans","The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head is about 50 minutes' drive from central Dunedin, and its guided tours last 60 to 90 minutes, from 52 NZD for adults. Larnach Castle costs 34 NZD for adults. St Clair's seafront takes one to two hours. The Taieri Gorge train takes about five hours, and the Seasider Express about 1 hour 45 minutes. A five-hour trip leaves less room for the one-hour margin before all-aboard, so the choice of excursion matters on a day with an early all-aboard. Milford Sound is a popular overnight trip via Queenstown. Return to the terminal at least one hour before all-aboard, choose one major outing, and carry a windproof or waterproof layer."],["For eaters and drinkers","The Speight's brewery tour costs 45 NZD for adults, and the Ocho chocolate tour costs 25 NZD. Cruise-marketed tours are often more expensive than booking independently, so compare first. The compact city centre clusters around the Octagon, with George Street to the north and Princes Street to the south. Opening hours and shop prices change, so check on the day. The Octagon is where the Orbus stops, so it is the easiest place to eat before the return trip. Tour prices were last reported in early 2024, so confirm them before you book."],["Getting around and money","Orbus route 14 runs between Port Chalmers and the Octagon for 3 NZD one way, or free with a New Zealand Gold Card. The trip takes 20 to 30 minutes, and weekend services run about hourly. A shuttle costs 10 NZD one way or 15 NZD return, and a taxi about 45 NZD one way, so arrange the taxi for the return in advance. A Bee card costs 5 NZD to set up, with a 5 NZD minimum top-up. It gives cheaper fares and a discounted transfer within 30 minutes, and it suits a day with several Orbus trips, such as one combining the bus with the Octagon and the museums. The Otago Peninsula, the Taieri Gorge and Larnach Castle need separate transport. The currency is the New Zealand dollar. A few traders accept foreign currency, especially in tourist areas, and ATMs are in almost every town. The rate is about US$1 to NZD 1.30, so check it on the day. The emergency number is 111. Mobile data arrangements are not known, so check with your provider."]],"access":"The sources do not describe step-free access at the pier, the terminal or on the Orbus. CruiseMapper calls the Port Chalmers walking route moderate because of the climb, so guests with limited mobility should ask the cruise line about shuttles and taxis before booking.","links":[{"label":"WhatsInPort Port Chalmers guide (archived 2024)","url":"https://www.whatsinport.com/Port-Chalmers.htm","detail":"Archived port guide, which refers to its Dunedin page; currency and emergency numbers"},{"label":"CruiseMapper Dunedin (Port Chalmers) wiki","url":"https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/basseterre-port-21?tab=wiki","detail":"Port calendar snapshot dated 19 October 2026, terminal and statistics. The URL slug does not match the port name"},{"label":"XE currency converter (NZD)","url":"https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=NZD","detail":"Live New Zealand dollar rates","currency":"NZD"}],"maps":[{"label":"Port Chalmers on Google Maps","url":"https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Port+Chalmers+New+Zealand","detail":"Search for the port; no coordinates in the sources read"},{"label":"Dunedin on Wikivoyage","url":"https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Dunedin","detail":"Orbus, Bee card, Baldwin Street and attraction prices"}]}}}