What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• I would like to live here now.

  Oscardog16,,Jan 27, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  A grand old house with original contents. The home was only owned by one couple and their 2 children died without having children. The youngest child bequeathed the house and all the contents to the city of Dunedin. It is hard to imagine the wealth of this family when they started to build the home in 1904, it had all the mod cons. They spent 2 years travelling overseas while planning the build and collected numerous treasures from around the globe. The house is filled with valuable furniture, porcelain, silverware and paintings collected by the family. Our guide Megan was clearly spoken and spoke loudly for all the group to hear. We enjoyed her detailed commentary on the rooms and many pieces on display. We highly recommend this tour.

  

  

• Bigoted, unfocused, unfriendly.

  rhonddap2026,,Jan 13, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  This was a highly disappointing experience. We had a new guide as part of our Tuesday 2:45pm group there to gain some experience. Our tour guide began to complain and chastise her in front of us before we had even begun. Five minutes later she told a racist story which was intended to be humorous. She certainly only did so because she thought she was in European company. Her overall demeanour was patronising, dismissive, and she seemed to hold only a basic list of memorised facts about the house and its contents. We left with little more knowledge about the history of the house or its numerous inhabitants than we entered with. I suggest much less time is spent focusing on the individual items within the house, as they mean little when we have little context of who they belonged to.

• Lovely old home set in gardens

  DaytrippersMelbourne,,Jan 9, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had done many things in Dunedin previously, but had not been to Olveston House and I am glad we finally got there. We booked online and chose our time for the tour because it's by guide only not self guided. However we were allowed to look through the gardens and greenhouse by ourselves beforehand. The history of the house and family who lived there was very interesting. If you like looking through historic old homes you will enjoy this.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Interesting history

  Jeanie S,,Jan 6, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Very interesting historic house. Especially since the only family that ever lived there was the original family. And everything in the house is grim the original family.

• Very interesting history and beautiful home. Well worth a visit.

  Basil011503,,Jan 5, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The tour guide was very knowledgeable. The house has a very interesting history, especially since it was only owned by one family before being gifted to the City of Dunedin. Also, everything in the house is original. And the family history is very interesting.

• One of Dunedin‘s treasures

  Kim S,,Jan 2, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our guide was very warm and knowledgeable, regaling us with interesting stories of the home and artefacts. I felt the tour was just the right amount of time and there was also plenty of time to ask questions. A highlight was being able to play the Steinway!

  

  

  

• Amazing!! Fabulous commentary

  269nataliec,,Dec 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Chris was incredibly knowledgeable and so generous with her time. Just the most amazing collection of perfectly preserved furniture and ornaments.

• This tour won't disappoint.

  Gregga,,Dec 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our tour guide Kevin did a fantastic job in illuminating the story behind this stunning mansion - who lived there, the house staff and the way things were back in colonial times. A highlight of our Dunedin visit.

• Beautifully appointed high tea and tour

  HannahB3917,,Dec 8, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We did the high tea and guided tour package. This was great value for money. The high tea was in a sumptuous setting with delicious, generous and nicely presented food and plenty of hot drinks topped up regularly. The staff were friendly and thoughtful. The tour was fascinating and gave a good overview of the history of the home and family. The rooms we saw were impressive with their modcons of the time and beautifully decorated. My only regret was that we didn’t have more time to linger for the high tea. Another half hour on top of the hour we had would have been perfect.

  

  

• Theomin family gave their riches to Otepoti

  tashnmarty7278,,Dec 1, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Dunedin is fortunate to have been given a home rich in early 20th century furniture, appliances, art and collectibles. Worth the small fee. We were surprised with all the antiquities, especially the beautiful Māori art book a rare piece indeed. Go see it!

  

  

  

  

  
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