Wildlife Info

Females arrive in late November, giving birth to a single pup (conceived the year before) in early January and staying with it constantly for about twelve days. With the pup growing fast, the mother needs more food for milk production and alternates between feeding at sea and suckling. In early July... Read More

Females arrive in late November, giving birth to a single pup (conceived the year before) in early January and staying with it constantly for about twelve days. With the pup growing fast, the mother needs more food for milk production and alternates between feeding at sea and suckling. In early July or August the pups are weaned and the pups and, by then, pregnant females head out to sea.

'Seals', Te Ara-The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand

Species endangered, restricted to a tiny breeding range. White head, body, tail distinguish adults from Wandering Albatross, D.exulans, which also lacks dark line on bill. All ages, light pink bill, black cutting edge on upper mandible, legs flesh. With a wing span of 3 metres and flight speeds of 1... Read More

Species endangered, restricted to a tiny breeding range. White head, body, tail distinguish adults from Wandering Albatross, D.exulans, which also lacks dark line on bill. All ages, light pink bill, black cutting edge on upper mandible, legs flesh. With a wing span of 3 metres and flight speeds of 115+ mph, these birds are elegance itself in the air, but clumsy on land.

Breeds on Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula, and on the Chatham and Auckland Islands; non-breeding birds undertake circumpolar traverses in the Southern Ocean flying eastwards across the Pacific.

View the Albatross yearly cycle

One of the most well known cetaceans, because of its widespread use in marine parks and research facilities, the Bottlenose Dolphin is relatively robust, with a usually short and stubby beak - hence the name "bottlenose".Generally light grey to slate grey on the upper part of the body shading to lig... Read More

One of the most well known cetaceans, because of its widespread use in marine parks and research facilities, the Bottlenose Dolphin is relatively robust, with a usually short and stubby beak - hence the name "bottlenose".

Generally light grey to slate grey on the upper part of the body shading to lighter sides and pale, pinkish grey on the belly. High, curved dorsal fin is high located near the middle of the back, flukes broad and curved with a deep median notch, flippers of moderate length and pointed.

Found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters, with New Zealand, where three main coastal populations exist, as the southern most point of their range; frequently seen in harbours, bays, lagoons, estuaries, and river mouths.

Rare solitary birds that have declined in population due to the ravages of introduced species and habitat loss. Distinctive features include the golden feathers forming a crown on their heads and the bright yellow stripe running to the eye and around the back of the head. Their backs are slate-blue ... Read More

Rare solitary birds that have declined in population due to the ravages of introduced species and habitat loss. Distinctive features include the golden feathers forming a crown on their heads and the bright yellow stripe running to the eye and around the back of the head. Their backs are slate-blue with white breast and belly, flesh coloured feet and thick reddish coloured bills. Immature birds lack the yellow eye band and head plumage and have grey eyes. Male and female are alike although males have slightly larger head and feet; its semi-musical call is unlike the harsh note of other penguins. May be seen in the evening heading back from the sea, where it has been hunting for fish and squid, sometimes covering long distances over difficult ground (Source: www.antarcticconnection.com and Complete Book of New Zealand Birds). You definitely will be able to see Yellow Eyed Penguins during our Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour with Penguins as well as our Full Day Packages.

View the Yellow eyed penguin yearly cycle!

Has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the average wingspan being 3.1 metres (10.2 ft), as a result of which it is capable of remaining in the air for several hours at a time without beating its wings.Adult appears entirely white from a distance, but close up, the fine black wavy lines on... Read More

Has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the average wingspan being 3.1 metres (10.2 ft), as a result of which it is capable of remaining in the air for several hours at a time without beating its wings.

Adult appears entirely white from a distance, but close up, the fine black wavy lines on the breast, neck and upper back are visible. The bill, normally yellowish-pink, varies in colour. The white tail, occasionally tipped with black with the back of the wing changing from black to white with age. During maturity changes over a period of nine years, identification can be difficult as birds may be confused with other large albatrosses with similar colourings.

Occupies loose colonies on isolated island groups in the Southern Ocean, such as, Campbell, Auckland, Marion, Prince Edward, and Macquarie Islands, and has a circumpolar range in the Southern Ocean.

Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only Castle, offering an insight into Victorian Culture. It is built from 1871, by William Larnach, Merchant Banker and Politician. Larnach Castle showcases master craftsmanship, New Zealand Antiques and the style of Victorian living. Be drawn into the fascinating his... Read More

Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only Castle, offering an insight into Victorian Culture. It is built from 1871, by William Larnach, Merchant Banker and Politician. Larnach Castle showcases master craftsmanship, New Zealand Antiques and the style of Victorian living. Be drawn into the fascinating history of William Larnach and his wives on our Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour with Castle or our Otago Peninsula Wildlife Package with Castle!

Baldwin Street is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world. The street runs up the northern side of Signal Hill, a prominent hill overlooking Otago Harbour. The steepness was unintentional; grids were laid out by surveyor Charles Kettle without proper regard f... Read More

Baldwin Street is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the steepest street in the world. The street runs up the northern side of Signal Hill, a prominent hill overlooking Otago Harbour. The steepness was unintentional; grids were laid out by surveyor Charles Kettle without proper regard for the terrain. Indeed some of the streets he intended were unable to be completed. Climb the steepest street in the world with us as part of our Otago Peninsula Wildlife Package with City Sights!

This Dunedin Railway Station embodies Dunedin's wealthy inheritance. During the city's most prosperous years this railway station was the country's busiest, handling up to 100 trains each day. Though there have been many debates about whether the building is actually beautiful or not, the station di... Read More

This Dunedin Railway Station embodies Dunedin's wealthy inheritance. During the city's most prosperous years this railway station was the country's busiest, handling up to 100 trains each day. Though there have been many debates about whether the building is actually beautiful or not, the station difinitaly is New Zealand’s most photographed building. Don't miss out to take a photo as well during our Otago Peninsuila Wildlife Package with City Sights!

Otago University is the oldest university in New Zealand, founded in 1869. While originally offering only one degree, the University now enrols over 20,000 students each year to study commerce, health sciences, sciences, and humanities. Dunedin is renowned in New Zealand for its student life and the... Read More

Otago University is the oldest university in New Zealand, founded in 1869. While originally offering only one degree, the University now enrols over 20,000 students each year to study commerce, health sciences, sciences, and humanities. Dunedin is renowned in New Zealand for its student life and the "Scarfie" culture. Let us show you the oldest University in New Zealand during our Otago Peninsula Wildlife Package with City Sights!

As Northern Royal Albatross, but lacks black band at leading edge of underwing and white areas at leading edge of upperwing.... Read More

As Northern Royal Albatross, but lacks black band at leading edge of underwing and white areas at leading edge of upperwing.

Near threatened and endemic to off-shore New Zealand islands with an estimated population of 75,000 pairs. A typical mollymawk with dark plumage on its back, upperwing and tail and a white belly, neck and underwing. Its crown and most of its head is also white, with a dark eyebrow and pale grey on t... Read More

Near threatened and endemic to off-shore New Zealand islands with an estimated population of 75,000 pairs. A typical mollymawk with dark plumage on its back, upperwing and tail and a white belly, neck and underwing. Its crown and most of its head is also white, with a dark eyebrow and pale grey on the face, bill pale grey with a yellow ridge and tip.

Fish plays a bigger part of its diet than with other albatross species, comprising almost 90% of the diet in one study.

(Source: Birdlife International (2005) Species Factsheets. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org)

Endemic to the coastal regions of New Zealand and the smallest and rarest species of dolphin, named after Sir James Hector (1834-1907) curator of the Colonial Museum in Wellington (now the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa).Hector's dolphin has no discernible beak, a rounded dorsal fin and the fluke p... Read More

Endemic to the coastal regions of New Zealand and the smallest and rarest species of dolphin, named after Sir James Hector (1834-1907) curator of the Colonial Museum in Wellington (now the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa).

Hector's dolphin has no discernible beak, a rounded dorsal fin and the fluke pointed tips and concave trailing edges. The overall colour appears to be a pale grey but while the bulk of the back and sides is the same lighter grey of the beak, the forehead is grey with streaks of black, the tip of the beak, black, the throat and chest are white. Above that a dark grey patch runs from the flippers (also dark grey) to the eyes, the belly is also white with a stripe running up the sides from under the dorsal fin.

Two known main populations, one on each side of the South Island, a notable population exists at Akaroa, near Christchurch. Hector's Dolphins are sighted less than 10 km off-shore in summer and only slightly further afield in winter.

A small mollymawk in the albatross family classified as vulnerable and breeding on New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. Two subspecies, Northern and Southern, population of 32 000 breeding pairs. Similar to a gull, small, grey headed, white and black, black around and in front of eye, large black bi... Read More

A small mollymawk in the albatross family classified as vulnerable and breeding on New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. Two subspecies, Northern and Southern, population of 32 000 breeding pairs. Similar to a gull, small, grey headed, white and black, black around and in front of eye, large black bill, yellow on upper, lower ridges.

Both species of Buller's albatross are more common off the Otago and Southland Coasts with generally only individual birds being seen. Buller's albatross prefer the colder waters to the south in the Southland Current.

Can be seen resting on headland rocks or foraging for bullheads, fish, crabs, shrimps and octopus in sheltered sea inlets.Have two distinct colour forms leading to the belief it is two distinct species; one wholly black with a greenish gloss and the other black and white. Long black crest on forehea... Read More

Can be seen resting on headland rocks or foraging for bullheads, fish, crabs, shrimps and octopus in sheltered sea inlets.

Have two distinct colour forms leading to the belief it is two distinct species; one wholly black with a greenish gloss and the other black and white. Long black crest on forehead at start of breeding; only shag with pink feet at the southern end of the South Island. Flies with head lower than body; short broad wings. Considered rare.

Known for their arresting breeding plumage, double crest and bright green facial skin; the pale grey front, light brown back and wings differing from the more common black and white shag colourings.... Read More

Known for their arresting breeding plumage, double crest and bright green facial skin; the pale grey front, light brown back and wings differing from the more common black and white shag colourings.

Scattered throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands and nearby offshore islands; found in sheltered coastal waters, and harbours to dams and lakes; large flocks gather around food sources. Nest in large colonies, sometimes with other shags. Normally feed alone or in little groups of up to... Read More

Scattered throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands and nearby offshore islands; found in sheltered coastal waters, and harbours to dams and lakes; large flocks gather around food sources.

 Nest in large colonies, sometimes with other shags. Normally feed alone or in little groups of up to ten birds. Diet varies according to habitat but can be small fish, freshwater crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, goldfish flounder or smelt. Little shags feed inshore in water less than 3m deep.

(Source: www.teara.govt.nz, www.treasuresofthesea.org.nz, Complete Book of New Zealand Birds, and The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand.)

Males typically dark brown to black, females creamy-grey colour; with males living as long as 23 years, and females, 18 years.Breeds almost exclusively on New Zealand's sub Antarctic islands. Bulls, the "beach masters", establish territory; eventually having about 8 to 25 females in their area. Bree... Read More

Males typically dark brown to black, females creamy-grey colour; with males living as long as 23 years, and females, 18 years.

Breeds almost exclusively on New Zealand's sub Antarctic islands. Bulls, the "beach masters", establish territory; eventually having about 8 to 25 females in their area. Breeding in the colonies takes place between November and January, with the pups being born from early December until late January.

One of the rarest and most endangered sea lions, the New Zealand sea lion is found only in New Zealand and is designated as a Threatened Species under New Zealand's Marine Mammals Protection Act in August 1997.

Prefers sandy beaches for both hauling out and breeding, wanders quite far inland, sometimes over 2km, while on shore.

The Taiaroa Head Lighthouse marks the entrance of the Otago Harbour. High on a cliff, it has been overlooking the Peninsula since 1865.... Read More

The Taiaroa Head Lighthouse marks the entrance of the Otago Harbour. High on a cliff, it has been overlooking the Peninsula since 1865.

Of the three subspecies of dusky dolphins, the New Zealand sub species is L. obscurus subsp. Curious and gregarious they associate with other cetaceans, but generally they are known to form large, widespread schools comprising scattered, smaller groups of about 10 individuals in the Otago Peninsula,... Read More

Of the three subspecies of dusky dolphins, the New Zealand sub species is L. obscurus subsp. Curious and gregarious they associate with other cetaceans, but generally they are known to form large, widespread schools comprising scattered, smaller groups of about 10 individuals in the Otago Peninsula, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, and Fiordland areas.

In New Zealand’s South Island, schools travel as a unit covering several square kilometres in day; in summer, migrating from inshore to offshore waters to feed on pelagic fishes and in winter remaining closer to shore.

The dusky dolphin is a small cetacean reaching to about 2 m in length, and weighing about 100 kg with a head sloping down from the blowhole to the snout without the prominent beak of other species. Recognised by a relatively straight blunt dorsal fin, dark blue-black tail and dorsal side colour with a dark band running diagonally across the flanks from the dorsal fin to the tailstock. Also have 2 white streaks that run diagonally from the tail to the base of dorsal fin.
http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=365

Mostly black with a line of white flight feathers along the wing edges, sometimes showing when at rest, and noticeable in flight; bill bright red, with a pale bar and tip; legs and feet greyish-black; makes a bugle-like sound, musical and far reaching, as well as a range of softer crooning notes.The... Read More

Mostly black with a line of white flight feathers along the wing edges, sometimes showing when at rest, and noticeable in flight; bill bright red, with a pale bar and tip; legs and feet greyish-black; makes a bugle-like sound, musical and far reaching, as well as a range of softer crooning notes.

The Australian Black Swan was introduced to New Zealand in 1864 as an ornamental waterfowl, populations are now common on larger coastal or inland lakes, especially Rotorua Lakes, Lake Wairarapa and Lake Ellesmere, and the Chatham Islands. Black swans have also naturally flown to New Zealand, leading some people to consider them a native rather than exotic species.

Partially protected, and hunted in season according to regional limits, with about 5,000 shot each year.

Pointed dog-like narrow snout, long, fine hair with thick under fur, dark grey-brown on the back, grading to chestnut brown under fur; females are slightly shorter and lighter than the males, who can reach 1.8m in length and 140kg in weight.Fur seals are known to dive as deep as 270 metres for prey ... Read More

Pointed dog-like narrow snout, long, fine hair with thick under fur, dark grey-brown on the back, grading to chestnut brown under fur; females are slightly shorter and lighter than the males, who can reach 1.8m in length and 140kg in weight.

Fur seals are known to dive as deep as 270 metres for prey for up to one or two minutes at a time. Their prey is anchovy, hoki, lantern fish, squid, octopus and crustacea including krill.

In turn they are preyed upon by sharks, orca, (killer whales), leopard seals and Hooker’s (New Zealand) sea lions.

Breed on steep boulder beaches with plenty of crevices where they can cool off. The males arrive at the breeding colonies from late October to early November; females arrive in late November and give birth to a single pup conceived the year before. She will mate with the dominant male eight days later.

(Source: www.teara.govt.nz, www.marinebio.org and Collins Guide to the Mammals of New Zealand.)

This smallest sub-species is found around the coasts of Otago and Southland to Foveaux Strait, Stewart and outlying islands and up the West Coast to Karamea.Plumage slate-blue with a bright white belly. Juveniles are impossible to differentiate from adults and both sexes are identical, although the ... Read More

This smallest sub-species is found around the coasts of Otago and Southland to Foveaux Strait, Stewart and outlying islands and up the West Coast to Karamea.

Plumage slate-blue with a bright white belly. Juveniles are impossible to differentiate from adults and both sexes are identical, although the male is a little heavier and usually has a larger bill.

Breeds underground in burrows, natural holes, or will make use of any man-made cavities such as nesting boxes; active on land at night when it is very vocal, braying for a mate or crooning to announce its arrival home.

Blue penguins breed for the first time at 2-3 years of age. High rate of juvenile mortality, but individuals can live up to 25 years of age. Two eggs are typically laid and incubated for thirty-six days. Parents share the incubation and feeding duties.

Diving to 10-20m the blue penguin feeds on surface schooling fish, squid and crustaceans, although dive depths of 60m have been recorded. Usually it feeds 25km from the coast.
(Source: www.penguin.net.nz and Complete Book of New Zealand Birds).

A large seabird of length 80-95cm and wingspan 150-210cm, white about the bill and face, a dark grey-brown body, and mottling at the borders; listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.An opportunistic forager and killer, considered to b... Read More

A large seabird of length 80-95cm and wingspan 150-210cm, white about the bill and face, a dark grey-brown body, and mottling at the borders; listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

An opportunistic forager and killer, considered to be one of the principal scavengers of the Southern Ocean and a significant terrestrial predator at some localities. Regularly attends fishing vessels, including trawlers.

Only found in New Zealand and rare, it varies from black and white to pure black, (more common further south) and has a red-orange eye ring and pink legs. Larger than the pied oystercatcher, it remains around the coast to breed.Diet is largely marine and includes mussels, oysters, limpets and crabs.... Read More

Only found in New Zealand and rare, it varies from black and white to pure black, (more common further south) and has a red-orange eye ring and pink legs. Larger than the pied oystercatcher, it remains around the coast to breed.

Diet is largely marine and includes mussels, oysters, limpets and crabs.

(Source: www.teara.govt.nz, Complete Book of New Zealand Birds, and The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand.)

Bulky bird with long legs and long-toed feet adapted to swampy country; deep purple-blue and black, with red legs and bill. Flick their tail with each step, showing the white patch underneath. The Pükeko prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp pastures, often lives in ... Read More

Bulky bird with long legs and long-toed feet adapted to swampy country; deep purple-blue and black, with red legs and bill. Flick their tail with each step, showing the white patch underneath. The Pükeko prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp pastures, often lives in pairs and larger communities.

Black on the crown, nape, back and wings, and white elsewhere and weighing 190 grams and measuring 35 centimetres, they are an Australian bird and self-introduced, arriving around 1800. They can be seen in their thousands at major estuaries and lakes during autumn and winter, before flying to their ... Read More

Black on the crown, nape, back and wings, and white elsewhere and weighing 190 grams and measuring 35 centimetres, they are an Australian bird and self-introduced, arriving around 1800. They can be seen in their thousands at major estuaries and lakes during autumn and winter, before flying to their breeding grounds in late winter–early spring on South Island riverbeds and around New Zealand’s coast.

They breed in colonies of up to 100 nests on mounds near water, laying two to five greenish eggs from August (at coastal sites) or October (inland).

Iridescent blue, green, buff and white, with a excessively large bill, can seen sitting on high perches above tidal flats or pasture, calling an insistent ‘kek-kek-kek’ and darting down to seize their prey. Their prize is carried to their perch and dispatched by repeated banging against ... Read More

Iridescent blue, green, buff and white, with a excessively large bill, can seen sitting on high perches above tidal flats or pasture, calling an insistent ‘kek-kek-kek’ and darting down to seize their prey. Their prize is carried to their perch and dispatched by repeated banging against the branch or post.

Found in most habitats and are most common in coastal or freshwater wetlands, forest edges or farmland. Varied fare includes everything from fish, tadpoles and crabs to lizards, mice and small birds.

The flight of this species is short, rapid, and direct, being performed by a quick vibration of the wings.

Also known as the Snares Crested Penguin and the Snares Islands Penguin, this penguin breeds on The Snares, a group of islands off the southern coast of the South Island.A medium-small, yellow-crested penguin, about 55 cm high and weighing 3.4 kg, it has dark blue-black upperparts and white under pa... Read More

Also known as the Snares Crested Penguin and the Snares Islands Penguin, this penguin breeds on The Snares, a group of islands off the southern coast of the South Island.

A medium-small, yellow-crested penguin, about 55 cm high and weighing 3.4 kg, it has dark blue-black upperparts and white under parts, a bright yellow eyebrow-stripe which extends over the eye to form a drooping, bushy crest and bare pink skin at the base of its large red-brown bill.

Nests in small to large colonies under forest cover or in the open, their main prey is krill supplemented by squid and small fish.

Currently rated as 'vulnerable' as its breeding range is restricted to one small island group, the current population is estimated at around 30,000 breeding pairs.