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Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour & Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience

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$88.03

REG. $96.60

Overview

If you are a visitor that truly wants to see and understand the unique ecosystems, wildlife, culture, geology and botany of the Otago Peninsula then join this tour. We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (seasonal). At Pukekura we have a good chance to see seals nearby & albatross flying overhead. Later we join our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour, see the world's smallest penguin emerging from the sea and walking past us just metres away. Note: Others join us for that part of this experience (max 75) PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash) We will offer viator refunds of 30% if we see less than 5 penguins ! (Lower than booking direct through our own website where we can offer refunds of 50%) If no availability on this site, check our own website for additional availability/other tours. As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony. Top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2023.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Please be waiting outside the Dunedin Visitor Centre ISITE, 10 minutes before tour start time. We pick up from this location but can drop off to all central Dunedin accommodation after the tour.

Pickup Information

While we only have this one pick up location available (on this site) we will drop our guests off at all central Dunedin accommodation at the end of the evening.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Dunedin

We pass by some of the most famous buildings in the city before heading out onto the Otago Peninsula.

Duration: 30 mins

2. Otago Peninsula

An In-Depth tour of the geology, human history, botany and zoology of the Otago Peninsula. A tour designed by Lyndon Perriman, former wildlife ranger who spent 30 years working on the Otago Peninsula. Known as the wildlife capital of New Zealand, the Otago Peninsula has a wealth of wildlife and ever-changing scenery around each corner. Departing Dunedin be whisked away in one of our vehicles heading for the spectacular wild side of the Otago Peninsula. See incredible wild coastal views, stunning wildlife and highly productive marine environments. This is a tour designed for those that have a thirst for knowledge of the environment. We also explore and weave stories pertaining to some of the most significant sites used by Māori who were here centuries before European arrival. On this part of our journey we encounter a range of wading bird species and some coastal sea bird species.

Duration: 105 mins

3. Taiaroa Head

On the very end of the Otago Peninsula is Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) an incredibly significant site to Māori and now also and incredibly significant wildlife reserve. Your guide will lead you to cliff viewing locations to observe a wealth of wildlife. Home to 10000 seabirds over the summer months, Pukekura is home to giant albatross and we often see them flying overhead as they return to their nesting locations nearby (nesting location is not visible). Gulls, terns, shags, other seabirds, seals or sea lions are also regular visitors to these shores.

Duration: 30 mins

4. Taiaroa Head

Here too we join others to start our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience. Extremely close views of the world's smallest penguin erupting out of the sea at dusk to come ashore to feed their chicks or to rest. Often described by guests as their best wildlife experience in New Zealand, we are fortunate to have the privilege of being right in among the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula as penguins go about their nightly activities. Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022. PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED (no flash) Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists. At our own reserve we have extremely close views of blue penguins (often only 1-2 metres away), fur seals are regulars here too (10-30m away from us) and sea lions are sometimes seen here on the sandy beach (10-50m away from us).

Duration: 90 mins

5. Otago Peninsula

Return trip back to Dunedin City either via Portobello Road or via Castlewood Road if there are drop offs required at Larnach Castle

Duration: 45 mins

Inclusion

All Fees and Taxes

In-vehicle air conditioning

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We have a minimum age requirement of 18 to participate on this tour

Visitors need to be able to walk 300m unaided and manage stairs (about 60 stairs inbuilt along our walkway leading to our viewing platform). Tour and vehicles are not suitable for very young children.

Bring warm clothes we are outside for much of the tour, it can get very cold after dark.

Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others

MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PARTICIPATE this is not a tour for children

Supplied by Blue Penguins Pukekura