Step into Dunedin’s shadows with Hair Raiser Tours’ Shiver Street Tour, a haunting 2-hour walk unveiling true crime, ghost stories, and the chilling Old Gaol. Join New Zealand’s original ghost guide for a uniquely dark encounter with this historic city.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect steady walking on city streets and some uneven surfaces.
Wildlife
History
Dunedin’s Old Gaol was operational from 1863 to 1989 and remains a stark reminder of the city’s Victorian justice system.
Conservation
Hair Raiser Tours focuses on low-impact urban tourism, raising awareness of Dunedin’s heritage while preserving historic sites through respectful visitation.
Hair Raiser Tours
Step into Dunedin’s shadows with Hair Raiser Tours’ Shiver Street Tour, a haunting 2-hour walk unveiling true crime, ghost stories, and the chilling Old Gaol. Join New Zealand’s original ghost guide for a uniquely dark encounter with this historic city.
Hair Raiser Tours is a Dunedin-based tour operator specialising in guided ghost, crime and cemetery walks across Otago. The company offers a suite of 90-minute experiences that explore Dunedin's supernatural history, true crime stories and botanical heritage, with routes that include the Gothic Northern Cemetery, Southern Cemetery, the Old Gaol and the port town of Port Chalmers.
Each tour focuses on factual history and storytelling: The Dunedin Crime Tour examines the city's criminal past and culminates with an after-dark visit to the Old Gaol; the Ghost Garden and Northern Cemetery tours combine cemetery botany and folklore with ghostly accounts; the Dunedin Ghost Tour features twilight visits and an exclusive Ghost Gallery; the Southern Cemetery Tour explores early settler tragedies; the Shiver Street Tour highlights true crime locations guided by Andrew Smith; and the Port Chalmers Ghost Tour investigates maritime hauntings and local legends.
Guides present research-based narratives, cemetery history, architectural context and recorded local anecdotes. Tours run approximately 90 minutes and are presented in public walking formats suitable for adults and older teens. Hair Raiser Tours operates in central Dunedin and surrounding historic sites in Otago, making it a focused option for visitors seeking immersive historical and supernatural walking experiences. The business emphasises respectful engagement with cemetery sites and community histories while delivering guided after-dark storytelling and site visits for those interested in Dunedin's darker heritage. Tours accommodate small groups and visitors can book public departures or enquire about private arrangements for special dates and events year-round by prior arrangement.
Location
Dunedin, Otago
Historic and haunted city base
Tour Length
90 minutes
90-minute immersive walks
Tours Offered
7 distinct tours
Guided ghost and crime walks
Notable Guide
Andrew Smith featured
New Zealand's original ghost guide
Secure a spot on a guided after-dark tour through Dunedin’s cemeteries, Old Gaol, and haunted streets — perfect for history and supernatural enthusiasts.
Dress for Comfort and Weather
Wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate layers, as the tour involves walking on uneven urban paths and can be chilly in the evening.
Bring a Flashlight
A small flashlight or phone torch can enhance visibility during evening portions of the tour, adding to safety and atmosphere.
Arrive Early to Meet Your Guide
Arriving 10 minutes early at 110 Moray Place helps ensure a smooth start and time to settle before heading into Dunedin’s haunted streets.
Keep an Open Mind
The tour combines local history with supernatural tales—embracing the eerie elements enriches the experience and storytelling.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Necessary for navigating varied urban surfaces safely during the tour.
Weather-Appropriate Layers
Helps maintain comfort as Dunedin's weather can shift quickly, especially in cooler months.
all
Small Flashlight or Phone Torch
Aids visibility during dimly lit sections of the walk and enhances the ghostly atmosphere.
fall|winter|spring|summer
Water Bottle
Stay hydrated, particularly on warmer evenings.
summer