Include a special Royal Albatross Centre Tour during your Peninsula Encounters experience!

Duration

Approx. 7 Hours

This tour might not be suitable for young children due to it’s long duration and because it visits sensitive conservation areas that require silence at times.

About

A small-group bus tour from Dunedin. Join a local guide for an exploration of the Otago Peninsula.

Travel over the high road with postcard views of the harbour and coast. You’ll travel past quaint communities and rural farms. Spot wading birds as your mini-bus explores around the inlets and the wetland eco-systems.

Your tour will visit a remote Otago Peninsula beach. A short walk from the mini-bus will provide dramatic views of rugged coastal cliffs, offshore islands and perhaps some huge sea lions.

The trip continues to Taiaroa Head, home to the Royal Albatross Centre. You’ll walk up a steep pathway to a private 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 a Yellow-eyed Penguin conservation reserve. Visit the on-site rehab centre before entering the reserve. You’ll take trails through native bushland, walking through tunnels and trenches to different viewing hides scattered around the reserve. We hope to watch as the world’s rarest penguin returns ashore and interacts around it’s nest. 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 harbour, back to Dunedin.

Inclusions:

• Bus tour over the Otago Peninsula and around the Harbour
• Explore around Hoopers & Papanui Inlet ecosystems
• Visit a remote beach in search of sea lions
• Observatory Tour at the Royal Albatross Colony
• Walking tour through a yellow-eyed penguin conservation reserve.

Exclusions:

• Food is not provided.

We recommend that you bring your own food and drink.

What to bring

Dress warm for the days forecast and bring a waterproof layer. The weather can be unpredictable at times and we highly recommend being ready for all conditions. Extra jackets are available if needed. We suggest wearing sturdy and comfortable footwear.