Is This New Zealand's Most Beautiful Cruise Stop?

Welcome back to Travel Cruise Feast! In this video, we’re kicking off our Cruising to New Zealand from Australia series. Every Aussie cruise season (October–March), ships cross the Tasman to explore New Zealand’s stunning landscapes—especially the breathtaking Fiordland region. But once you reach NZ, shore excursions can get pricey… so we’re showing you how to explore every port DIY style. Today’s stop: Dunedin. Your ship actually docks in Port Chalmers, about 30 minutes from Dunedin—New Zealand’s oldest city and a place packed with historic architecture, dramatic hills, and wildlife. Here’s what we did on our own, without booking a paid excursion: 🏔 Baldwin Street — the world’s steepest street, a totally free (and seriously steep) must-see. 🌿 Dunedin Botanic Garden — New Zealand’s oldest botanic garden, peaceful, beautiful, and completely free. 🍜 A much-needed lunch — after four sea days on Diamond Princess, some fresh Asian flavours hit the spot. Transport is simple too: we used Uber from Port Chalmers (about $40 NZD) and had no issues using credit cards or Google Pay. All up, it was an easy, fun, and budget-friendly day ashore—proof that Dunedin is perfect for DIY cruisers. If you’re planning a New Zealand cruise soon, hit subscribe and stay tuned. More port guides are coming in this series! 🌏🛳️✨