PENINSULA
ENCOUNTERS

LAND BASED TOUR OPTION - Ideal for people who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground!

Travel over the Otago Peninsula high road and enjoy the postcard views of the harbour and rugged coastline. You’ll pass through quaint little communities and rural farms before spotting wading birds as you explore around the inlets and the wetland eco-systems.

Your first major stop will be at a remote and beautiful beach. A short walk through the sand dunes will provide dramatic views of rugged coastal cliffs, offshore islands. We often see the impressive sea lions here, looking for a mate, or sprawled out on the sand or sometimes play fighting with each other.

The tour then continues to Taiaroa Head, home to the Royal Albatross Centre. You’ll watch a short presentation about the colony before walking up a steep pathway to a viewing observatory for a special look at the northern royal albatross breeding colony. Watch as these majestic birds glide past on three metre wingspans, or as they feed their chicks at the nest.

The final stop is at The OPERA - a wildlife conservation reserve focused on saving the world’s rarest penguin, the Yellow-eyed. Your guide will take you for a brief behind-the-scenes look at the on-site rehab centre before heading into the reserve. You’ll take trails through native bushland, walking to different viewing hides scattered around the reserve. We hope to see penguins within the reserve, or watch as they return ashore after their day spent fishing at sea. Throughout the tour your guide will also discuss the conservation work being done to help save this special penguin species.

The tour ends with a relaxed drive, following the Otago Harbour, back to Dunedin.

Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, especially for the endangered Yellow-eyed Penguins (there are less than 500 left on mainland New Zealand). Our guides will always attempt to provide the best possible viewing experiences.