Port Chalmers - Cruise Destination Port for Dunedin

Port Chalmers is located on the northern side of Otago Harbour, and is the cruise port destination for Dunedin, 14 km south-west of Port Chalmers. 

This is the last stop before sailing through the Sounds.

The Cruise ships dock at a working port.

Passengers and crew can exit via a walkway to a large 'welcome' building.

This is where one can walk directly into town, or catch excursion or public transport to Dunedin. 

Port Chalmers is a mix of historic buildings, cafes, arts and craft markets and shops as well as interesting galleries and shops.

In July 1844 the area, originally known as Potakere - meaning hills, and later Koputai, was sold by the Maori people to the Otago Association New Zealand Company. The Otago deed was signed by 25 Maori chiefs. Captain Wing of the ship Deborah, and Frederick Tuckett were the first to  select land in order to establish a Scottish settlement. By December 1844 other, mostly Scottish settlers, came and settled there. The town was surveyed in 1846 by Charles Kettle and a town board was set up. 

By April 1848 many ships were arriving with settlers, and the first church service took place. 

Port Chalmers is named after one of the founders and the leader of the Free Church of Scotland, Thomas Chalmers who died in 1847.

By the mid 1870's many shipping companies were using the port, and the dredging the entrance to the harbour made the port a deep water port, to rival the port of Lyttelton. Port Chalmers and Dunedin were first connected by road (1860's) and then rail (1873).

One famous visitor to Port Chalmers was Mary Mackillop, Australia's first Saint - Saint Mary of the Cross. Mary and 3 sisters of St Joseph arrived on 15th January 1898, and lived in Port Chalmers for several months establishing a school and convent in 1898. A portrait "St Mary Mackillop at Port Chalmers" by Margaret-Ann Howard, is on display at St Mary Star of the Sea church, 34 Magnetic Street, Port Chalmers. The wooden frame is believed to have come from the rented house where Mary and the 3 sisters of St Joseph lived in 1898.

What to See and Do in Port Chalmers:

There are buses that will take you into Dunedin for a price and there are many tours one can do from Dunedin. If, like us, you have been to Dunedin many times it is lovely to walk around Port Chalmers. This was our third time to Port Chalmers, and we still have more to see there.

Port Chalmers Maritime Museum

Located to the right as one leaves the port building, the Maritime Museum is housed in the old Post Office that was opened in 1877 and is a heritage listed building. Built on a beach where the first immigrant settlers landed in 1840's. We were fortunate to visit the museum before the new renovations, and I think it had more character then. The new extension, although lovely, doesn't have the same sense of history, but more a display area. Extended to the side with a large glass wall displaying memorabilia, and extended up with a view over the port. The entrance is now via the glass building and not the old post office entry. Entry is by donation.

Iona Church

Located part way up Mount Street, Iona church in some form has been on this site since 1852. It is the most beautiful church with rabbit warren type maze of rooms and a large pipe organ that we were lucky enough to hear one trip. The church is only open a few hours when cruise ships come in. 

The first building was of wooden construction with a square tower that seated 150 people. The foundation stone for the second building was laid in 1871, and designed to seat 300 people. By 1875 a gallery was added to accommodate more people.

By 1882 a larger building was needed. The foundation stone for the present building was laid 23 November 1882, and the church was opened a year later to seat over 600 people.

It is a beautiful Gothic building made with local stone. A second building, known as Johnson Hall was added, and then a third building to connect to it  

The 165ft spire was fitted with a clock in 1885.

The first pipe organ was installed in 1907 and moved in 1930 to Sawyers Bay church. The next pipe organ was installed about 1928. A beautiful church one should visit if it is open.

Port Chalmers Old Cemetery 

3 Church Street. Worth a visit if you are into cemeteries. It is only a short walk up some steps from Iona Church, and full of history.

Flagstaff Lookout

If you like walking, walk down Grey Street and left into Scotia Street, and left again into Constitution Street up the hill to Flagstaff Lookout. A great view of the port and the ship from the top. It's only 650-700m, but it is mostly up hill. 

Arts and Craft Markets

The markets are usually open on cruise days.

Last cruise they were conveniently located across the road for from the port in the library building - there is also free wifi in the building.

So many other interesting things to see in Port Chalmers.

Don't forget to watch the wonderful passing scenery while sailing out of Otago Harbour - you may see sea-lions.