Peninsula
Encounters
(Standard Tour)
PRICES $NZD:
Adult: $175
Child (5-14yrs): $110
SUMMER TIMES:
1 Oct - 31 Mar
2:00pm to 8:30pm
WINTER TIMES:
1 Apr - 30 Sep
11:00am to 6:00pm
TOUR DEPARTS:
20 Fryatt Street,
Dunedin
Tour Description:
Calling all nature and wildlife lovers - we have the ultimate experience for you!
The tour begins in Dunedin, travelling by mini-bus up over the beautiful Otago Peninsula high road. You’ll see great views of the harbour and the rugged coastline. Our guide will provide stories about the area, it’s history, the local wildlife and other interesting facts.
As you drive around the inlet eco-systems you’ll likely see a variety of different shore birds. We frequently spot pukeko, kingfishers, swans, godwits, ducks, royal spoonbills and many other wonderful species.
The tour stops for a short walk along a remote beach. Landscape photographers will love the spectacular views of cliffs and nearshore islands. Keep an eye out for the charismatic and huge sea lions, who inhabit the sandy beaches of this region.
Following your time on the beach, you’ll continue by bus along the Otago Peninsula to the Royal Albatross Centre. Here you’ll have an hour to check-out the centres displays, walk along the clifftop boardwalk and down to Pilots Beach.
The Standard Tour doesn’t include a visit to the centre’s observatory room which overlooks the nesting colony. If you’d like to upgrade to that Encounters option, or include a Wildlife Cruise, click one of the buttons below.
You will then visit a conservation reserve with unrivalled access to yellow-eyed penguin breeding area. We’ll walk you through regenerated native bushland to special viewing hides that are scattered throughout the reserve. From here you’ll have a great opportunity to see the world’s rarest and most endangered penguin. Some tours will include a brief look at the onsite rehab centre, where they care for sick and injured birds.
Please note: 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.
The big day out will end with a relaxed drive back to Dunedin, as the sun dips low over the Otago Harbour.
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Inclusions:
Bus tour over the Otago Peninsula and around the Harbour
Explore around Hoopers & Papanui Inlet eco-systems
Visit a remote beach in search of sea lions
Time to explore displays and clifftop boardwalk at the Royal Albatross Centre (no tour).
90-minute walking tour through a yellow-eyed penguin conservation reserve.
Exclusions:
Food is not provided. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink on tour with you.
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We ask that our guests check-in at our 20 Fryatt Street, Dunedin office 15-minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour. Free carparks are available around this location.
Accommodation pickups can be requested from central Dunedin hotels, motels, backpackers, holiday parks and the iSite Visitor Centre.
We can also collect people from Larnach Castle or Portobello Store on the Otago Peninsula.
Sorry, no Airbnbs or private residences.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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No, we highly recommend pre-packing some food and drink to bring on tour with you.
Have a good sized lunch before checking in for your tour.
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No. The tour involves a fair amount of walking (2-4kms) over different terrain like sandy beaches and bush tracks.
Several sets of stairs may be encountered during the tour.
We recommend our guests have a medium level of fitness.
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We suggest you wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Bring several clothing layers including a waterproof jacket if you have one. The weather in Dunedin can change dramatically by the hour.
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The tour is long and not suitable for some children. It visits several conservation areas where noise levels need to be restricted. Ultimately, we allow parents to decide if their child is up for it.
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Don’t worry if the forecast is for a cold, wet or windy day, the albatross and other local wildlife love it. They won’t stop for the rain and neither do we. The best viewing often comes from the wilder days.
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Unfortunately not, wildlife viewing is never guaranteed. We will always do our best to ensure the best possible viewing chanc
Yellow-eyed Penguins are the rarest of all the world’s penguin species. Unfortunately, numbers are currently in decline and viewing does vary throughout the year and day-to-day.
Your tour patronage supports the ongoing conservation work to help save these special birds.
This tour departs from 20 Fryatt Street, Dunedin
