Port Chalmers: A Coastal Charm Awaits

Port Chalmers was our first stop on this trip. We decided to skip Dunedin, as some fellow passengers mentioned there wasn’t much to see, and since this was the first port after a four-day cruise, we were in the mood to take it easy.

So, we explored Port Chalmers instead. It's a small town, and many of the businesses were closed. We popped into the local grocery store to grab some snacks for the kids, then visited the city hall to check out the local markets. We also stopped by the Maritime Museum before taking a break at a pop-up café and food truck, where we enjoyed delicious food and great coffee.

So, we explored Port Chalmers instead. It's a small town, and many of the businesses were closed. We popped into the local grocery store to grab some snacks for the kids, then visited the city hall to check out the local markets. We bought a possum beanie from the market, and my husband bought a pair of earrings made from greenstone as a gift to me. This greenstone can only be found in the South Island of New Zealand, and the Māori believe it holds spiritual power (mana) that grows stronger with time. If you would like to know more about greenstone, I recommend visiting this link: "https://www.newzealand.com/au/feature/new-zealand-greenstone/"

We also stopped by the Maritime Museum before taking a break at a pop-up café and food truck, where we enjoyed delicious food and great coffee. On the day we were in Port Chalmers, Quantum of the Seas was docked right next to us, but we barely saw anyone around town. It would have been nice to see a pub, some restaurants, souvenir shops, and a more lively atmosphere in the port area. Still, if you're looking to take it easy, I’d recommend just strolling through the town, snapping some photos, and soaking in the scenery—Port Chalmers has a quiet, charming vibe.

I can see a lot of potential in Port Chalmers, though it’s unfortunate that the local council doesn’t seem to do much to support local businesses. The port staff were quick to tell us how to get to Dunedin, but it would have been nice to have more info about Port Chalmers itself. So we headed back to the ship early, giving the kids plenty of time to swim for the afternoon, which they absolutely loved!

One of the highlights of the day was the lovely locals. As our ship was leaving, we saw a few of them waving us goodbye and even singing a Christmas song. It was a heartwarming moment, and it really added to the charm of Port Chalmers, leaving our family with a beautiful memory.

Honestly, it was a pretty perfect day.

I joked with my husband, “Wow, if this is just the introduction to New Zealand, it’s already a win!” (We’d never been to NZ before, and the Sounds were our first taste of the country)

One of the highlights of the day was the lovely locals. As our ship was leaving, we saw a few of them waving us goodbye and even singing a Christmas song. It was a heartwarming moment, and it really added to the charm of Port Chalmers, leaving our family with a beautiful memory.