DUNEDIN HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Foraging with the Master Distiller: A half-day, sensory hike through Dunedin’s native flora
A guided 120–180 minute foraging walk led by No8 Distillery’s Master Distiller that combines a scenic ~2 km loop on Pineapple and McGouns Tracks with hands-on lessons in using native plants to flavor spirits.
Foraging with the Master Distiller: A half-day, sensory hike through Dunedin’s native flora.
Set into the gullies above Dunedin, this half-day foraging journey pairs a short, scenic hike with an intimate lesson in native botanicals and distillation from No8 Distillery’s Master Distiller. Participants follow a roughly 2 km loop along McGouns Track and part of Pineapple Track, stop to sample award-winning gins flavored by foraged plants, and learn how those plants are used in spirit-making.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Learn from the Master Distiller
Since day one the distillery’s Master Distiller, Julien, has foraged native plants around Dunedin to create signature spirits. On this outing he leads an immersive session on identifying and using Aotearoa’s native flora in distillation.
A compact 2 km loop on Pineapple and McGouns Tracks
The experience follows a loop track of around 2 km that traverses part of Pineapple Track and McGouns Track—an easy-to-moderate walk that gives ample opportunity to observe and collect botanical specimens.
Outdoor tasting and an introduction to distillation
Along the walk you pause for an outdoor tasting that highlights the distillery’s three main gins and concludes with a practical initiation into how the foraged natives are incorporated into spirit-making.
What the day feels like
What the foraging journey feels like
The trip unfolds as a focused half-day: meet at the trailhead, follow a looped walking track through changing gullies and native growth, collect small samples under the guidance of the distiller, then stop for an outdoor tasting and a hands-on introduction to how those finds translate into gin. The pace is relaxed but purposeful—designed for close observation rather than long-distance trekking.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this outing—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience runs approximately 120 to 180 minutes.
Meet at the Pineapple Track parking at 57 Fulton Road, Glenleith; the walk is a loop of around 2 km and typically takes about 60 minutes on the track portion.
Good sports shoes or solid footwear, a small bag with a water bottle, raincoat and light pullover, and a cereal bar; a basket for foraging is recommended by the operator.
Track type is walking and hiking on an easy-to-moderate loop that includes parts of McGouns Track and Pineapple Track.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the foraging journey take?
The full experience lasts between 120 and 180 minutes, with the track portion itself around 60 minutes covering approximately a 2 km loop.
Where do we meet?
The meeting point is the Pineapple Track parking at 57 Fulton Road, Glenleith.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring a good pair of sport shoes or solid footwear, a small bag with water, a raincoat and light pullover, and a snack; a basket for foraging is suggested.
Is there an age restriction?
Yes—participants must be 18 years or older.
What will we do on the walk?
The guided walk focuses on identifying and collecting native plants for use in spirits, followed by an outdoor tasting that highlights the distillery’s three main gins and an introduction to distillation techniques.