Local Attractions

Located on the magnificent Otago Peninsula, just 20 minutes from downtown Dunedin, New Zealand, McAuley Glen is an ideal base for visiting the many local attractions and wide range of activities on offer.

Dining Out | Things to See and Do | Other Related Links

Dining Out

1908 Café & Bar
Licenced dining in the turn of the century previous Post Office building with beautiful harbour views in the centre of Portobello. A blackboard menu will guide your taste buds towards the best meal you have had for a long time. Scrumptious deserts will compliment the chef's refined cooking skills. Lunches and evening dining 7 days. Excellent fresh fish , seafood, steaks, chicken etc.
Visit the 1908 Café and Bar Website

Portobello Hotel & Bistro
Enjoy harbour views while dining inside or out. NZ Lamb, Beef and Fresh Fish Daily. Friendly atmosphere to gather for a quiet drink in the heart of the Peninsula. Why not call in at the end of an exciting day exploring the unique Otago Peninsula, you are assured of meeting more of the friendly locals.
Visit the Portobello Hotel & Bistro Website

Things to See and Do

Peninsula Bik & Kayak
Pedal or paddle your way around the bays, enjoy wildlife and scenery from the best seats in town. We offer Hire' and Tours, a friendly personal service.
Visit the Peninsula Bike & Kayak Website

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Be fascinated and exhilarated with the wealth of wildlife, dramatic views, so close, so natural – the only way to see it all – Otago Peninsula, Otago Harbour, Taiaroa Head with three time New Zealand Tourism Award winners Monarch Cruises.
Visit the Monarch Website

Penguin Place - Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve Tours
Welcome to Penguin Place, home of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve, New Zealand's multi-Award Winner. This conservation project is entirely financed through guided tours. Reservations are essential.
Visit the Penguin Place Website

Larnach Castle
With its exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present. Today, the Castle is the home of the Barker family, who have spent over forty years lovingly restoring the building and recreating the beauty of the 14 hectares of gardens and grounds.
Visit the Larnach Castle Website

Royal Albatross Centre
The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head, on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, is the only mainland breeding colony for any albatross species found in the southern hemisphere. Visitors to the Royal Albatross Centre can view the interpretative wildlife displays, learn of the historical use of the area and experience the famous Unique Taiaroa guided tours.
Visit the Royal Albatross Centre Website

The Aquarium at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Visit the aquarium at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre. There are guided tours available. Unique marine life from southern NZ waters - Octopus, seahorses, crayfish, sharks and more! Spectacular touch tanks! Get your hands wet and your minds salty!
Visit the NZMSC Aquarium Website

Natures Wonders
Truly spectacular scenery, the world's rarest penguins, the yellow-eyed (Hoiho - meaning 'noise shouter'), the little blue penguins, the New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, and a large variety of birdlife.
Visit the Natures Wonders Website

Sam's Peninsula Off Road Tours
Still on the site that it has occupied since 1876, Speight's Brewery has become one of Dunedin and Otago's biggest icons.
Visit the Sam's Peninsula Off Road Tours Website

Elm Wildlife Tours
Elm Wildlife Tours presents absolutely unrivalled sustainable Nature and Wildlife experiences of Otago Peninsula and the southeastern Coast. They guide visitors to some of the most spectacular wildlife spots in the area including their restricted wildlife conservation sanctuary, where excellent close-up viewing of some of the World's rarest wildlife is available.
Visit the Elm Wildlife Tours Website

Glenfalloch Gardens
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, Gaelic for ‘hidden valley’ is an historical garden, established from 1871 – tranquil, beautiful, much loved and classified as a Garden of National Significance by the NZ Gardens Trust. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity and the panoramic harbour views. Walk among the rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, fuchsias and a profusion of other flower species which integrate with native ferns, exotic imports and indigenous New Zealand trees. Meet a 1000 year old Matai Tree and admire stunning autumn colours.
Visit the Glenfalloch Gardens Website

Fletcher House
This typical Edwardian villa was built in 1909 by Sir James Fletcher, founder of Fletcher Construction Company Ltd. In December 1990 Fletcher Challenge decided to restore the Fletcher House and open it to the public, making it the first villa in New Zealand to be opened for all to enjoy. It has been fully restored to its former glory and furnished in the style of the period by the Otago Settlers Museum.
Visit the Fletcher House Website

Happy Hens
The Happy Hens Studio is situated on the beautiful Otago Peninsula and the main route to the world famous Royal Albatross colony and Marine Aquarium. The studio is where all Happy Hens start life! Visitors can see the creative process in action, from the moulds to kiln, to the intricate hand painting of the Hens.
Visit the Happy Hens Website

Cadbury World
Experience the mystique of a working chocolate factory, sample and purchase Cadbury products. Cadbury World is located in the centre of Dunedin city at the Cadbury Factory site. The Visitors Centre is a colourful and educational environment with chocolate themed displays where you can learn about the history of Cadbury and chocolate through the ages. Then take a fun filled and fascinating guided tour around the Cadbury Dunedin chocolate factory and sample Cadbury product along the way!
Visit the Cadbury World Website

Taieri Gorge Railway
The Taieri Gorge Limited train is Dunedin's prestige tourist train operating from the historic Railway Station. Departing daily (except Christmas day) it takes you on a journey through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge, across wrought iron viaducts and through tunnels carved by hand more than 100 years ago. With full commentary, photographic stops and on board refreshments the train offers year round, all-weather entertainment.
Visit the Taieri Gorge Railway Website

Speights Brewery Tour
Still on the site that it has occupied since 1876, Speight's Brewery has become one of Dunedin and Otago's biggest icons. The Speight's Heritage Centre is a first class informative tour through the working brewery and museum, tasting a selection of Speight's finest beers fresh from the brewery in the private Heritage Bar. The one and a half hour guided tour takes you back in time to the cobblestone streets of the past and the origin of the Speight's' brewery in 1876.
Visit the Speights Brewery Tour Website

St Martin Island Community on Quarantine Island

Originally named by the Maori as Kamau Taurua. There is no evidence that Maori lived here, though it was most likely used as a base for fishing.

From 1863 to 1916 over 90000 passengers from 41 ships were officially quarantined on the Island, scarlet fever being the most common cause, followed by smallpox then measles. There are 72 people buried in the cemetery, over half of them are children. The average time spent in quarantine was two weeks,and for most people it was probably a time rest and of great anticipation. Even though people died here, it could be a place of light heartedness too. One reference said there was singing and whistling from dawn to dusk

In 1958, two clergymen, inspired by the Iona Community in Scotland, raised money to buy the lease of the Island. Their vision was to form a community open to all, with an emphasis on combining work,spirituality, and social justice. The Island Community was named in honour of Saint Martin of Tours, a colourful 4th century French Bishop, who taught by example that work and worship belong together.

Things to see and do on the Island

The remains of two old ships. The Waikana on the left as you come ashore is a former harbour ferry,,built in 1909. It could carry 800 passengers. On the right is the Oreti. Built in 1900, it was used in the Bluff-Dunedin timber trade.

The Community house. This has been built around the original Keeper's cottage.
The Cottage and Wool shed. These have been converted from earlier buildings.
The Married Quarters. This is the only quarantine building that remains standing. It is planned to restore the outside to its original condition, construction has now began on this project.
The Bread Oven. Used for baking bread in quarantine times.
The Chapel. An innovative design.Completed in 1972 it is and important focal point for the community.
Site of the second Hospital. The first proved too small and inadequate. Look for a brick chimney foundation on the hill overlooking Portobello.
The Cemetery. On the south side of the Island. It contains graves of the early immigrants, a headstone of the Keeper and his family, and memorial to the Rev Dave Wilson. He was the community's first resident caretaker and lived here for 10 years.
The remaining original Native Bush. It is in very good condition. A track takes you through the bush with views of the harbour. See the map for access.
A Walk - Through Cave is an interesting feature. Access is down from the bush track.
Explore the beaches and foreshore of the Island at low tide.
Swimming from the beaches is a popular summer activity

Who we area:

The St Martin Island Community is a diverse group of people who feel drawn to this place. Most of us live in and around Dunedin and come together here for meetings, community weekends and workdays. At the heart of our community is a real love of the Island. Its life and rhythms really bind us together. Many people have dedicated their time and energy over the years and have made this Island a very special place.

Management:

The Island is designated as a Recreation Reserve and is administered by D.O.C.
Our community has a deep commitment to the care and management of the Island. We are achieving this by:

Conserving and enhancing the indigenous forest and wildlife
Using the Islands resources wisely
Honouring the history of the Island, both Maori and European
Welcoming groups and individuals to experience this place, its magic and sense of sanctuary.