Nearly 3000 people boarded the navy's new offshore patrol vessel yesterday during an open day that was so popular it was extended by two hours to cope with demand.
The queue that stretched more than 150m along the wharf by noon had reached Birch St by early afternoon.
Dunedin man Sean Hosking queued for nearly an hour before getting the call to board the $85 million ship.
It was a long wait, but far from wasted time, he said.
"No, 50 minutes isn't too long when you've got an opportunity like this."
High above the wharf, people filed across the flight deck and through the foil-lined helicopter hanger to see the inner workings of the grey-painted ship.
Parents played on the rowing machine in the ship's gym and children wandered around the computer-bedecked bridge.
George Dennison, a radio technician on HMNZS Taranaki in the 1960s and 1970s, said Otago was "quite something else".
"Yes, you would have thought I'd know my way around a ship, but I still got lost.
"The crew is very lucky to be part of something like this. All the technology and the facilities; it's just terrific."
At the stern of the ship, Lieutenant Mat Kaio surveyed the queue and said he was amazed Otago's first visit to its home port proved so popular.
"Dunedin has really turned it on for us. It couldn't be better," Lt Kaio said.
"You have to feel sorry for the people who have had to wait so long, and we thank them for their patience - but from what we're hearing, people seem to think it was worth the wait."
On Saturday, the city of Dunedin bestowed one of its greatest honours on Otago - the right to bear arms in its streets.
The official charter was received at a parade in the Octagon, which the ship's commanding officer, Lieutenant-commander Simon Rooke, said formalised the strong bond between the people of Otago and the crew.
"It is a great honour for me to accept the charter. We will do you proud," he said.
About 150 members of the public and invited guests turned out for the historic ceremony, which included performances by the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy and an inspection of the ship's platoons by Dunedin deputy mayor Syd Brown.
Otago leaves Dunedin for Bluff today.
