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Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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Language
English, Te Reo Māori
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Time Zone
NZDT (UTC+13)
☀️
Best Time to Visit
Nov–Mar
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Typical Duration
14-25 nights
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Price Range
From $722 pp
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Port Type
Port of Call
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Tender Port
No
Gateway to Dunedin and New Zealand's South Island, offering access to stunning natural landscapes, wildlife encounters, and Maori cultural experiences.
Cruises that visit Port Chalmers
- cruises to Port Chalmers
- Port Chalmers sailings
- Port Chalmers cruises
- 14-night Silversea cruise
- 14-night Holland America Line cruise
- 14-night Silversea cruise
- 14-night Holland America Line cruise
- 14-night Holland America Line cruise
- 14-night Holland America Line cruise
- 15-night Silversea cruise
- 16-night Silversea cruise
- 16-night Silversea cruise
- 27-night Seabourn cruise
- 30-night Holland America Line cruise
- 40-night Holland America Line cruise
- 43-night Holland America Line cruise
- 48-night Holland America Line cruise
- 49-night Holland America Line cruise
- 62-night Seabourn cruise
- 90-night Holland America Line cruise
- 108-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 112-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 126-night Silversea cruise
- 126-night Seabourn cruise
- 128-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 145-night Seabourn cruise
Build Your Day in Port Chalmers
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Larnach Castle
I had so much fun exploring the gardens and seeing all the unique plants.
Careys Bay Historic Hotel
It would be easy to miss this gem when you are visiting Port Chalmers.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Well worth the admission fee.
Flagstaff Lookout
If you want to get extra bonus, you can explore the Hotere Garden Oputae.
Glenfalloch Garden Café & Restaurant
... highly recommend Glenfalloch for an early evening summer dinner.
Cafe Santosha
One of the best spot in port Chalmers for having food.
The Portsider
Perfect spot for a wonderful lunch in Port Chalmers
🕐 Closed · Opens 3 PM
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
(Lots of walking on irregular trails and up stairs)
Union Co Cafe
We called in here while we were exploring the Port Chalmers area.
Futomaki Port Chalmers
Surprisingly good food in a small NZ port!
Augustines of Portobello
Simply the best on the Otago Peninsula, well done Augustines of Portobello!
🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Fri
Four Square Port Chalmers
It has all the things you need and price is quite reasonable.
🕐 Open · Closes 8 PM
Fugue St Clair
Best dinner we have had in NZ so far.
🕐 24 Esplanade
Moons Restaurant and Bar
Final dinner in NZ before returning home, and absolutely worth it!
🕐 Closed · Opens 3 PM
Port Otago
Free Wi-Fi 🥰🥰🥰
🕐 Open now
Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell
Worth the walk
Noisy Brewing Company
Incredibly friendly staff, great beer and a nice space to relax.
Port Chalmers Maritime Museum
An excellent local museum with great displays and exhibits.
Port Chalmers Cruise Terminal
Some things within walking distance but not a pile.
Pearl Diver
Vibey atmosphere, friendly service and great tasting food and drinks!
🕐 Closed · Opens 4 PM
Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours
A great start to our bike adventure on the cycle trail.
Sushi Johnny
I regularly make the trip out to Port Chalmers just for it.
On the Spot Windsor
Nice shop and nice staff.
🕐 Open · Closes 8:30 PM
Centenary Lookout
Great place to see container ships and cruises.
Watson Park
Perfect place for a wedding
Chapman Store
The Store itself is so beautiful and the staff are so kind and helpful.
🕐 Open · Closes 5:30 PM
Port Chalmers Recreation Reserve
The perfect way to de stress from your cruse.
2gypsies
Great, fun local products and the owner is a fun personality to engage with
🕐 Open · Closes 3 PM
The Flying Whale - David Elliot Art and Gifts
We love our new piece and it sits proudly on the wall 🫶
🕐 Open · Closes 2:30 PM
Port Chalmers Wharf
Good sea level, excellent graphics
🕐 Open now
Lady Thorn Dell Lookout
There are people climbing rocks.
Back Beach
So nice, with great views
The “Nine Fathom Foul”
Firsr visit in 2009. Revisit in 2023. Still great as in memory.
Arcadia Books
A Knut Hamsun novel probably the pick of the bunch at 20 bucks.
Dunedin Sea Birds
Highly recommend.
Shore Trips and Tours NZ
Our local tour guides are full of knowledge about their local history.
Blackbird Gifts
What a beautiful shop with some unique finds!
🕐 Open · Closes 3 PM
The Flying Whale (Mural)
🕐 Open now
PIECES
🕐 Open · Closes 4 PM
Fossick Past&Present - antique store
Helpful and friendly staff, might be owners actually.
🕐 Open · Closes 4 PM
Port Charmers Artisan Markets
The artisan market is on again, usually on days when cruise ships dock here.
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Port Chalmers
Port Chalmers serves as a scenic port of call on Australia and New Zealand cruises, welcoming four major cruise lines including Holland America Line, Silversea, Seabourn, and Carnival Cruise Line. With 42 upcoming sailings and a strong presence during the Southern Hemisphere summer months of November through March, this Otago port offers cruisers convenient access to some of the region's most sought-after destinations. Most voyages departing from or visiting Port Chalmers feature extended 14-night itineraries that explore the best of Australia and New Zealand, including stops in Sydney, Wellington, Auckland, Hobart, and Tauranga.
Passengers docking here discover a charming coastal town with easy access to the vibrant cultural attractions of nearby Dunedin, one of New Zealand's most distinctive cities. Whether you're exploring local galleries and museums or venturing into the stunning Otago Peninsula to encounter native wildlife, Port Chalmers provides an authentic Kiwi experience that complements any Southern Hemisphere cruise itinerary beautifully.
Passengers docking here discover a charming coastal town with easy access to the vibrant cultural attractions of nearby Dunedin, one of New Zealand's most distinctive cities. Whether you're exploring local galleries and museums or venturing into the stunning Otago Peninsula to encounter native wildlife, Port Chalmers provides an authentic Kiwi experience that complements any Southern Hemisphere cruise itinerary beautifully.
Cruise Lines at Port Chalmers
- Holland America Line (21 cruises)
- Silversea (10 cruises)
- Carnival Cruise Line (7 cruises)
- Seabourn (5 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (3 cruises)
Cruises Departing From Port Chalmers
Cruises Visiting Port Chalmers
Ship Schedule at Port Chalmers
Port Chalmers Location
Other Cruise Ports in New Zealand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Port Chalmers?
Port Chalmers is an official port in New Zealand's Otago region.
Where is Port Chalmers located?
It is near Dunedin, Otago, at approximately -45.8167 latitude and 170.6 longitude.
What does NZPOE stand for?
NZPOE is the UN/LOCODE for Port Chalmers.
What is notable about Port Chalmers?
Historic gateway to Dunedin with wildlife such as Royal Albatross and yellow-eyed penguins in the region.