School Holiday Activities
And Birthday Party Ideas For Children
The Famous Quarantine Island Treasure Hunt!
Hop onboard Sootychaser to go to Quarantine Island for a Traesure Hunt! We have maps for all ages even the adults!
Receive a map in a bottle, solve the clues, find the trasure and receive treats! Advertised only during school holidays but also available on demand for birthday parties.
Touch Tanks At (former) Portobello Aquarium
Visis the Marine Science Centre and the Touch Tanks. Be guided throught the centre and learn about all things slimy, hard shelled and swimming! You can even touch them in the famous and specialised rock pools. Take the ferry across to make it a really memerable experience. All ages including adults will love this special tour which only runs selected days during the school holidays.
Dunedin's Extinct Volcano!
Come inside Dunedins extinct volcano onboard Sootychaser and with expert Jenna-Lee as your volcano guide! She has a background in eduction as well as geology and is excited to join Rachel to show you the different layers of lava, ash and many other points of interest includeing the volcanic cones around us. Youll be suprised which familiar hills once spilled lava onto the harbour. We explode our own volcano at the conclusion of the tour.
Book these cruises online under School Holiday Cruises, or get in touch to enquire.
(Children's cruises are typically from 25 minutes to 2 hours in duration.)
Get in touch if these ideas sound like a good kids birthday party idea.
Book Now for School Holiday Tours
Adult's Cruise Ideas........
Local & Mini Tours
25minutes -45 minutes available.
Get out around the harbour with agroup of 4-20 people. We go past the Islands, Careys Bay, Portobello and Port Chalmers for an indepth look at the history, shipwrecks, maritime industry and the Port of Otago. Fully commentated unless you prefer music. Or a mixture of both!
Great for get togethers to enjoy not only the scenery but also BYO or supplied refreshments onboard the boat.
Email us for group options- info@porttoport.co.nz
Have an upcoming work do and need some inspiration?
What better way to spend your work party than out cruising on Otago Harbour. We've collected some of our best work do ideas below, and are happy to discuss any options further. Just give us a call or send us an email.
Pub to Pub! Want to visit local harbourside cafes and pubs with a group of friends? There are many great options to choose from on both sides of the harbour! We can get you between them by ferry, from just $20 per person, each way.
Book our Quarantine Island ESCAPE option for adults! You will be given a map, props and tasks to complete before being rescued from the island! Bar tab included in the final prize. Get intouch or book online.
Get a work group or family together for a function and have the boat to yourself. Booking your own harbour cruise can be an interesting way to spend the day with your family, or a work do with a difference. Ideal for groups between 4 and 20 people.
Private wildlife charters/cruises
On our wildlife tours, your group we look for fur seals, albatross, sea birds, penguins ,sea lions and much more in the privacy and comfort of having the boat entirely to yourself. Let us arrange food for you to enjoy on board. Alternatively, you can bring your own food. Or we can drop you off for a meal at Carey's Bay Hotel after the cruise.
There are toilet facilities onboard, and beverages can be available onboard by arrangement.
We have a liquor licence.
Contact us to find out your options and book your tour on your preferred date.
Visit Quarantine Island
Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua is jointly managed by The Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community and the Department of Conservation. Visit Quarantine Island for a day, or stay overnight as there is plenty to explore. You can see the old hulks of historic ships on the shore, historic quarantine stations, a quaint chapel, stunning scenery and nesting birds. Bring a picnic and stay a couple of hours, or more.
There is some shelter on the island. You can hire the buildings on the island by contacting the island keeper (See details below.)
When visiting Quarantine Island, please be respectful of guests who are using the lodge and do not enter unless you have organised an overnight stay.
There are bathroom facilities available and shelter in the historic married couples quarters and chapel, in the event of rain during your visit.
For more information about the island, about events or volunteering opportinties with the Community, or to book the Lodge or Married Quarters, please email the Keeper: keeper@quarantineisland.org.nz
Some of our most popular options for private work group and parties!Wildlife Cruise and Drinks
Take a step back and enjoy an evening wildlife viewing at Taiaroa Head on a 2 hour wildlife cruise.
We look for albatross, seals, sea birds, penguins, sea lions and much more!
Enjoy alcoholic beverages and snacks onboard while we cruise (liquor licence onboard and bar available on request). Then finish up at the historic Carey's Bay Hotel or Portobello's 1908 restaurant for a meal, before being transferred back to your point of departure by ferry or coach, at the end of your evening.
From $130 per person (cruise only) Locals discount applied.
Add ferry or coach from approx $15 per person, each way.
Drinks at extra charge.
Larger group discounts may be available