Otago Harbour by Bike: A Storyteller's Tour

Otago’s dramatic volcanic landscape was shaped by Māori history, Scottish settlement, gold rush ambition, and incredible feats of engineering.

On this cycling tour, you’ll explore the scenic shoreline of Otago Harbour via the purpose-built Te Aka Ōtākou and Te Ara Moana cycle paths. You’ll hear the story of the harbour’s two distinct personalities: the industrial western shore and the leisurely, residential peninsula. You’ll also learn about the industries that built Dunedin, the pioneers and scoundrels who settled here, and the hidden histories buried just beneath the surface.

The journey starts at Ravensbourne and follows the path to the historic seaport of Port Chalmers. From there, you’ll take the ‘Port to Port’ ferry across the water to the village of Portobello to begin the return leg of your ride. From bustling ports to tranquil bays, you’ll experience the full sweep of the harbour’s past and present. The tour concludes near the city centre at the distinctive public sculpture known as ‘The Teeth’.

During this cycling tour, you’ll have the chance to:

• Hear about the infamous ‘Ravensbourne Perfume’ from the once-dominant fertiliser works
• Discover the legend of ‘Grannie’ Gunn, the formidable ‘Witch of Ravensbourne’
• Learn why Port Chalmers was the historic departure point for Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition
• Hear the tragic story of William Larnach, whose grand vision for a family home became the famous Larnach Castle
• Find out how a Māori chief’s name was mispronounced by early whalers to become ‘Pineapple Rock’
• Uncover the hidden history of the Parihaka prisoners and the hand-built stone seawalls that form the foundation of the modern road
• Picture the lively Vauxhall Gardens, a spectacular amusement park from the 1800s, complete with a zoo and dance hall
• Learn about the many tohu whenua (cultural markers) that share important aspects of Kāi Tahu history along the route

This tour reveals the harbour’s true character as a place where the stories of engineers, artists, pioneers, and prophets are written into the landscape itself – all set against a backdrop of remarkable natural beauty.