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Located out at Taiaroa Head, the Royal Albatross Centre is the place to be if you want to go and learn about the secret lives of these magnificent creatures.

When you pay a visit to the Royal Albatross Centre you can take a guided tour to the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross on earth. Tours leave throughout the day and include a short film screening. Nowhere else in the world can you see families of albatross — parents, adolescents and chicks — going about their daily business quite like this! Experience the raw natural beauty of this place from the viewing points, learn more through the interactive gallery, and then relax at the excellent Albatross cafe. Stop to browse through the souvenir shop and pick up a memento to take away.

It’s not just about the wildlife, either, as there is a historic and cultural aspect to consider. Below the peaceful veneer of this nature reserve lie a maze of tunnels. Fort Taiaroa was established more than 100 years ago and today the fort is now a museum.

To get to the Royal Albatross Centre in your rental car you’ll drive out to the tip of the Otago Peninsula at the far end, past Otakou and Harington Point.

Dunedin is a great place to base yourself if you’re interested in wildlife. Near Taiaroa Head you can hop on a boat cruise and encounter whales, dolphins, and sea birds up close. You are also able to see the likes of fur seals and the world’s smallest penguins (around Pilot’s Beach) and have the option of spotting sea lions at Allan’s or Te Rauone beaches.

Step into Olveston House and you’ll find yourself well and truly immersed in early New Zealand settler life from the get-go. This was once the home of a well-off merchant family; Olveston was built for the Theomin family and conceptualised by the noted British architect Sir Ernest George, in gracious Edwardian style.

There are 35 rooms in all at Olveston, with 21 open for viewing. This authentic and original estate is furnished with lavish decor, art and souvenirs — it’s not unlike a time capsule inside, as if the clock had stopped suddenly. No detail was spared, from the elaborate stained glass windows and fireplaces through to the locks, taps, and even the light fittings and switches.

The worldly Theomin family were very well travelled and brought home many treasures and priceless artefacts. Hundreds of paintings adorn the walls; there are exotic ceramics, bronzes, and even jade and ivory items from Asia. All these are now on display, but visitors are asked to refrain from physically touching them, and move around inside with care.

Dorothy Theomin was the last remaining member of the family, and after her passing, Olveston House was opened as a historic museum in 1967. The property and its contents were then given into the care of the city of Dunedin.

Situated on an acre of land and surrounded by gardens, Olveston House is close to our rental depot. Visitor parking permits (for 2 hours) are available from reception for your rental car.

Guided tours are available to book ahead of time, and you can request tours in Mandarin, Cantonese, German, French, Japanese or Dutch. The Olveston gardens and gift shop are free to visit.

Don’t miss Larnach Castle while you’re in Dunedin. Until very recently (with the completion of Dot’s Castle in Riverstone, near Oamaru), it was the only castle in New Zealand. William Larnach, a prosperous merchant and politician, built it in the late 1800s for his family. The lavish interior took over a decade to complete, with no expense spared. The story of the Larnach family took a dark turn, however, featuring a series of wives, children, and eventually a scandalous suicide at the Parliament buildings.

Today Larnach Castle is home to the Barker family, who have carefully restored the building and its sprawling 35-acre grounds. The architecture is magnificent, with impressive towers and facades. The ballroom (spanning 3000 square feet) is a highlight, and a popular venue for weddings, balls and other special occasions. But its gardens are just as head-turning as the castle itself; these impeccably manicured grounds have been named a Garden of International Significance.

Not ready to leave yet? Guests can book a stay on the estate. An economical option is the Castle Stable Stay, housed inside a category 1 historic building. Next door to the stables there’s the colonial Larnach Lodge, with lovely harbour views and a dozen different themed rooms - including enchanted forest, rose, sea, goldrush and Victorian. The ultimate experience, however, can be had at Camp Estate. A stone’s throw from the castle itself, this means that guests can actually dine inside Larnach Castle. This venue features a grand marble staircase.

Larnach Castle enjoys a prime position overlooking the Otago Peninsula and the city of Dunedin. It’s only a 20-minute drive out to the headland from town, a quick trip in your rental car.

A wind-swept and romantic coastal spot, Tunnel Beach makes for a magnificent afternoon walk. You will make your way through a hand-carved passage and then emerge onto a secluded, sheltered beach with sweeping views along the rugged coastline.

Allow an hour to complete the walk, both ways. It’s an easy track which crosses over private farmland. Of course, there is a degree of climbing involved and the incline is steep in parts — the path is 150 metres above sea level at its beginning. There are 72 steps along the way to the beach. Take care as it can be dim and slippery depending on the conditions.

The unique landscapes around this path are truly a sight to behold. There are dramatic sandstone cliffs, shaped by the sheer force of the ocean; rock arches and boulders; even mysterious caves to explore. Keep an eye out for ancient fossils as you descend through the passageway.

The tunnel itself is man-made; it was excavated in the 1870s by the Cargill family, in order so that they could bathe in the sea in privacy. The Cargill family were central to the history of Dunedin, with Captain William Cargill acknowledged as a key member in the founding of the city and indeed the wider region. The Cargill family mansion was built on the cliff tops of St Clair, a nearby beach.

Just 2 km south of Dunedin, it’s an easy drive to Tunnel Beach in your rental car. The walk starts from the car park on Tunnel Beach Rd. Note however that the walkway is closed for lambing from August to October. The Tunnel Beach walk is best done at low tide, so check timings before heading out.