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If you are a visitor that truly wants to see and understand the unique ecosystems, wildlife, culture, geology and botany of the Otago Peninsula then join this tour.
We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (Note: seasonal).
At Pukekura we have a good chance to see seals nearby & albatross flying overhead.
Later we join our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour, see the world's smallest penguin emerging from the sea and walking past us just metres away. Note: Others join us for this experience (max 75)
PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash)
We will offer viator refunds of 30% if we see less than 5 penguins ! (Lower than booking direct through our own website where we can offer refunds of 50%)
If no availability on this site, check our own website for additional availability.
As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony.
Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Our hotel Pick Up's are limited to just a few main hotels: CHOOSE THE DUNEDIN VISITOR CENTRE I-SITE IF YOU ARE NOT STAYING AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING HOTELS (or haven't yet booked accommodation please select Dunedin Visitor Centre I-Site) : Pick up times are as follows (please be ready 10 minutes prior to pick up times): FABEL HOTEL - pickup time starts 25 minutes prior to tour start time. DISTINCTION HOTEL - pickup time starts 20 minutes prior to tour start time. SCENIC HOTEL SOUTHERN CROSS - pickup time starts 15 minutes prior to tour start time. DUNEDIN VISITOR CENTRE I-Site (outside I-Site Visitor Centre 50 the Octagon) - pickup time starts 15 minutes prior to tour start time (PICK THIS PLACE IF YOU ARE NOT STAYING AT THE HOTELS LISTED) LARNACH CASTLE (stay at LARNACH LODGE or CAMP ESTATE) pick up is 30 minutes AFTER tour start time (as we do pick-ups in Dunedin then start our tour and drive out towards Larnach Castle, ALL pick-ups from Larnach Castle do miss the first 20-30 minutes of the tour commentary). FOR LARNACH CASTLE: YOU MUST BE BOOKED AT STAY OVERNIGHT AT LARNACH CASTLE OR LARNACH LODGE TO BE PICKED UP FROM EITHER OF THOSE TWO PLACES. YOU WON'T GET BACK TO YOUR CAR UNLESS YOU HAVE ACCESS AND ARE STAYING THERE OVERNIGHT If you aren't staying at one of the 3 hotels listed above or at Larnach Castle (Larnach Lodge or Camp Estate) then your pick-up location is: Dunedin Visitor Centre 50 the Octagon (outside the Dunedin Visitor Centre I-Site, information Centre in Central Dunedin) For those picked up at the Visitor Centre in the Octagon, we will drop you off after the tour at your central Dunedin Hotel/Motel (or back at the Octagon). Pick up at Larnach Castle is outside the main steps to the Castle. Pick up at Camp Estate (Larnach Castle's 5-star accommodation) is outside Camp Estate building not outside the Castle.
Itinerary
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1
For those joining us from Dunedin we pass by some of the most famous buildings in the city before heading out onto the Otago Peninsula. This 30 minutes does include pick-up times. This part of the journey isn't available for those joining our bus from the Larnach Castle pick-up because the Castle is situated out on the Otago Peninsula.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
An In-Depth tour of the geology, human history, botany and zoology of the Otago Peninsula. A tour designed by Lyndon Perriman, former wildlife ranger who spent 30 years working on the Otago Peninsula. Known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand, the Otago Peninsula has a wealth of wildlife and ever-changing scenery around each corner. Departing Dunedin be whisked away in one of our vehicles heading for the spectacular wild side of the Otago Peninsula. See incredible wild coastal views, stunning wildlife and highly productive marine environments. This is a tour designed for those that have a thirst for knowledge of the environment. We also explore and weave stories pertaining to some of the most significant sites used by Māori who were here centuries before European arrival. On this part of our journey we encounter a range of wading bird species and some coastal sea bird species.
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
On the very end of the Otago Peninsula is Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) an incredibly significant site to Māori and now also and incredibly significant wildlife reserve. Your guide will lead you to cliff viewing locations to observe a wealth of wildlife. Home to 10000 seabirds over the summer months, Pukekura is home to giant albatross and we often see them flying overhead as they return to their nesting locations nearby (nesting location is not visible). Gulls, terns, shags, other seabirds, seals or sea lions are also regular visitors to these shores.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Here too we join others to start our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience. Extremely close views of the world's smallest penguin erupting out of the sea at dusk to come ashore to feed their chicks or to rest. Often described by guests as their best wildlife experience in New Zealand, we are fortunate to have the privilege of being right in among the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula as penguins go about their nightly activities. Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022. PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED (no flash) Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists. At our own reserve we have extremely close views of blue penguins (often only 1-2 metres away), fur seals are regulars here too (10-30m away from us) and sea lions are sometimes seen here on the sandy beach (10-50m away from us).
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5
Return trip back to Dunedin City either via Portobello Road or via Castlewood Road if there are drop offs required at Larnach Castle
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For pick up at Larnach Castle you MUST BE BOOKED TO STAY AT THEIR ACCOMMODATION.
- Please note , Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.
- To participate children must be at least 6 years old (Vehicles don't carry small child restraints)
- Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
- Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
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Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For pick up at Larnach Castle you MUST BE BOOKED TO STAY AT THEIR ACCOMMODATION.
- Please note , Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.
- To participate children must be at least 6 years old (Vehicles don't carry small child restraints)
- Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.
- Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.
- Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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