Peninsula encounters - Standard tour is the ultimate Otago Peninsula tour - a memorable half day wildlife experience with a unique insight into some of the world’s rarest wildlife.
Tours leave from Dunedin city daily with pickups at the Dunedin visitor center in the octagon or from city accommodation establishments to travel the length and breadth of the Otago peninsula. This is one of the world's few untouched areas with amazing wildlife and spectacular scenery. Pickup times vary throughout the year to coincide with changing daylight hours and animal behaviors.
Participants require average fitness as some walking through amazing scenery is required to reach the isolated homes of some of the animals. The tour is a wildlife trek enabling close, secluded viewing of the unique and world-renowned wildlife living on the Otago Peninsula. In addition to the 15-20 species of marine and wading birds, the main stars' are the Royal Albatross, Hookers sea lions, Blue Penguins, NZ fur seals and Yellow Eyed penguins.
We start our tour with lagoon wildlife then a visit to Taiaroa headland to view Royal Albatross. (Please note: that the standard tour observes Albatross flying around the headland, but does not view the Albatross breeding area. Viewing Albatross in their breeding area is available is available as a tour option). From the Taiaroa head Albatross colony we then go on to our private conservation area where the results of our strong conservation ethic are displayed. Here we see Hookers Sea lions, Yellow Eyed Penguins and Fur Seals and occasionally Elephant seals, Leopard seals and dolphins in a truly unique environment.
If you want to see Yellow-eyed Penguins, Royal Albatross flying, Hooker's Sea lions, Fur Seals and pups with expert guides but only have one afternoon, then this is the tour for you.
Experience unrivalled viewing of the diverse wildlife that abounds on spectacular Taiaroa Head, the only mainland nesting place of the northern royal albatross in the world. Taiaroa Head is also home to New Zealand fur seals and eight other nesting bird species. You may also see dolphins, sea lions and a fascinating array of rarely seen ocean birds including other species of albatross, penguins and marine mammals in their natural environment.
This fascinating cruise includes full commentary, jackets, binoculars and wildlife information sheets in 11 languages.
Hop aboard for a cruise along the length of the beautiful Otago Harbour, passing by the historic fishing village of Carey’s Bay and the working port of Port Chalmers. Continue your tour to the tip of the Otago Peninsula for an hour-long wildlife cruise.
Enjoy unrivalled and unforgettable wildlife viewing. See what cannot be seen from land: albatrosses, New Zealand fur seals and up to 20 species of bird and marine life in their undisturbed and otherwise inaccessible environment. Learn the fascinating history and geology of the area. Take a scenic drive along the Otago Peninsula, enjoying spectacular harbour and ocean views.
This fascinating tour includes the Otago Harbour Cruise and the Taiaroa Heads Wildlife Cruise, full commentary, wildlife information sheets in 11 languages, jackets, binoculars, Scenic Bus Tour.
Cruise the length of the awesome Otago Harbour; enjoy a wildlife cruise of spectacular Taiaroa Head and a dramatic bus tour of scenic Otago Peninsula. Come face to face with nature with an enchanting guided tour of the award-winning Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve.
This fascinating and exhilarating tour includes the Otago Harbour cruise and the Taiaroa Head Wildlife Cruise, full commentary, wildlife information sheets in 11 languages, jackets, binoculars and the scenic bus tour of the peninsula.
This premier package includes the full Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head wildlife cruise, scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour as well as guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. There is also a guided tour of Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin's great landmarks.
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s South Island with the Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head wildlife cruise (in summer season only). Enjoy a scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. Escape the wilds for a guided tour of Lanarch Castle, which was built in the 1880s by tragic entrepreneur William Larnach. On all cruises, jackets, binoculars, explanatory wildlife sheets in a variety of languages and full commentary are provided.
Enjoy a fascinating and exhilarating up-close experience admiring the wildlife and dramatic landscapes of the Otago Peninsula. In the summer season, fall in love with the raw beauty of Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head with a stunning cruise of some of the most enchanting corners of God’s Own Country, as New Zealanders affectionately call their homeland.
This unforgettable full day excursion includes the Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Heads wildlife cruise, a scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. On all cruises, jackets, binoculars, explanatory wildlife sheets in a variety of languages and full commentary are provided.
This premier package includes the full Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head wildlife cruise, scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour, and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. Includes a guided tour of Dunedin City, showcasing Dunedin's Heritage Buildings and Baldwin Street; the worlds steepest street.