Portobello is a cute harbourside village around halfway along the Otago Peninsula. It’s the perfect spot to stop for lunch while exploring the many natural wonders nearby and there are also some cool things to do in Portobello itself. Keep reading to find out more!
Explore the Village
You can explore most of Portobello on foot in a few minutes — the main part of town is tiny! It’s right next to the harbour too, so you could grab a coffee and some food and enjoy the views (which are better at high tide).
There’s a playground a minute or two walk away and there’s a dairy, a cafe, a pub / restaurant, a small petrol station and a museum.
Get Some Food
There’s a good variety of places to eat in Portobello, including a café (The Cove), a pub / restaurant (Portobello Hotel and Bistro), a dairy (Portobello Store) and a farmstore / bakery (Augustines of Portobello).
We went to Augustines last time we were in Portobello and it was really cool — quite a unique spot in Dunedin featuring gardens, crops etc and a small café. Beware that these places aren’t open everyday (closed on Monday and Tuesday which seems to be common — check before you go).
Otago Peninsula Museum
The Otago Museum and Historical Society is worth a quick visit if you’re interested in the history of this special part of the South Island. It only opens on Sunday though.
READ MORE: 7 of the Best Museums in Dunedin
Quarantine Island
Sitting roughly in the middle of the Otago Harbour between Portobello and Port Chalmers, Quarantine Island is full of history and viewpoints — two of our favourite things to seek out when travelling.
Port to Port Cruises plys the route between the two sides of the harbour with stops on Quarantine Island. It’s a quick boat trip and the island takes an hour or two to explore.
A Boat Trip to Port Chalmers
You can skip Quarantine Island and head straight for Port Chalmers, which is a little more bustling than Portobello. We love walking around the historic streets of Port Chalmers and visiting the shops. You can also do a wildlife cruise with Port to Port Cruises (we don’t get anything for mentioning them or any other company in this post).
Otago Harbour Cycleway
The Otago Harbour Cycleway skirts the Otago Harbour, connecting Portobello and Port Chalmers. If you’re not a cycler (or not quite fit enough) you can ride or walk a section of it (as is popular with locals).
READ MORE: 30 of the Best Things to Do in Dunedin
Drive Down Hatchery Road
For some nice views of Portobello and the Otago Harbour, drive down Hatchery Road. It leads to the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, which used to be an aquarium. I remember going there as a kid and touching the various sea creatures (which was allowed!). You can book visits now (mostly school trips etc) but I’m hoping a proper aquarium reopens one day, either in Portobello or in town.
Hoopers Inlet
A short drive east takes you over a hill and down to Hoopers Inlet. From there you can visit Allans Beach and Sandymount, two of the main attractions on the Otago Peninsula. For an awesome view of Hoopers Inlet walk to the top of the hill at Sandymount.
Where to Stay in Portobello
There are a few places to stay in and around Portobello, including Portobello Village Tourist Park and several airbnbs / holiday rentals. The Otago Peninsula has heaps of holiday rental type accommodation but not much in the way of proper hotels.
Getting to Portobello
It takes around 30 minutes to drive from downtown Dunedin to Portobello. It’s a lovely drive around the harbour and there’s so much to explore nearby. Drive back along the high road for some great views of the harbour! You can see heaps on a day trip but you’ll need at least two days to see all the highlights.
READ MORE: Dunedin Travel Guide
Are you planning a trip to the Otago Peninsula? Let us know in the comments below!
Jon Algie
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