Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Dunedin, Dunedin, Otago Region, South Island
For those joining us from Dunedin we pass by some of the most famous buildings in the city before heading out onto the Otago Peninsula. This 30 minutes does include pick-up times. This part of the journey isn't available for those joining our bus from the Larnach Castle pick-up because the Castle is situated out on the Otago Peninsula.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Otago Peninsula, Dunedin New Zealand
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: 1 hour 45 minutes
Stop At: Taiaroa Head, Dunedin New Zealand
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 minutes
Stop At: Taiaroa Head, Dunedin New Zealand
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: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Otago Peninsula, Dunedin New Zealand
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 minutes
See Availability.
Traveler pickup is offered
Our hotel Pick Up's are limited to just a few main hotels: CHOOSE THE DUNEDIN VISITOR CENTRE I-SITE IF YOU ARE NOT STAYING AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING HOTELS (or haven't yet booked accommodation please select Dunedin Visitor Centre I-Site)
Pick up times are as follows (please be ready 10 minutes prior to pick up times):
Fable Hotel - pickup time starts 25 minutes prior to tour start time.
Distinction Hotel 20 - pickup time starts minutes prior to tour start time.
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross - pickup time starts 15 minutes prior to tour start time.
Dunedin Visitor Centre I-Site (outside I-Site Visitor Centre) - pickup time starts 15 minutes prior to tour start time
Larnach Castle (Larnach Lodge or Camp Estate) pick up is 30 minutes AFTER tour start time (we do pick-ups in Dunedin then start our tour and drive out towards Larnach Castle, ALL pick-ups from Larnach Castle do miss the first 20-30 minutes of the tour commentary). FOR LARNACH CASTLE: YOU MUST BE BOOKED AT STAY OVERNIGHT AT LARNACH CASTLE OR LARNACH LODGE TO BE PICKED UP FROM EITHER OF THOSE TWO PLACES.
If you aren't staying at one of the 3 hotels listed above or at Larnach Castle (Larnach Lodge or Camp Estate) then your pick up location is: 50 the Octagon (outside the Dunedin Visitor Centre I-Site, information Centre in Central Dunedin)
For those picked up at the Octagon, we will drop you off after the tour at your central Dunedin Hotel/Motel (or back at the Octagon).
Pick up at Larnach Castle is outside the main steps to the Castle. Pick up at Camp Estate (Larnach Castle's 5-star accommodation) is outside Camp Estate building not outside the Castle.
5 hours(approx.)
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
For pick up at Larnach Castle you MUST BE BOOKED TO STAY AT THEIR ACCOMMODATION.
Please note , Children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.
To participate children must be at least 6 years old (Vehicles don't carry small child restraints)
Visitors need to be able to manage stairs (about 30 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.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : Viviana_P
It was lovely!
The guide was friendly, he explained to us about the different places and species of birds that we saw during the tour.
Finally, we were able to see the blue penguins, I felt very happy and lucky.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-18
Posted By : Rui_M
I must admit, I am feeling disappointed. I booked a trip for my parents, who do not know much English. Unfortunately, they described the tour guide as unfriendly. While language barriers can exist, they shouldn't prevent the formation of human connections, which often go beyond language itself. I appreciate that the tour guide helped by dropping my parents off at our house, especially since it was late at night. However, it saddens me to hear that they did not experience a friendly attitude from the guide.
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Posted On : 2024-05-13
Posted By : scottv398
The experience was amazing. The weather didn’t cooperate, but the penguins did. The staff was extremely knowledgeable. They were friendly and professional, and the work they’re doing to protect the penguins and the Otago Peninsula is amazing. I would highly recommend that everyone go if you’re in the area.
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Posted On : 2024-05-08
Posted By : Nicole_R
The experience was amazing and our driver Johnathan was amazing too.
You do get very up close and personal with the blue penguins coming up on the shore.
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Posted On : 2024-05-05
Posted By : blondiesmp
This your is a must see. James was such a a great your guide very friendly and so informative. He picked us up from Lanach castle and did many stops aing the way to explain the stunning scenery and history of the area
The penguins are adorable we couldn't stop watching them .
Thank you James for a fantastic tour we will never forget.
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Posted On : 2024-05-02
Posted By : George_Z
The trip is very educational! The guide is very knowledgable, professional and passionate about what he does!
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Posted On : 2024-04-30
Posted By : TTNZ
I enjoyed this trip out to the Peninsula that finished with viewing the little blue penguins coming ashore at the end of a long day of swimming.
Jonathon was a knowledgeable local guide who gave us lots of info about bird life, marine mammals and plants found on the peninsula. He also shared local history and took us to view the local marae.
The highlight was learning about the penguins then seeing them come ashore from the special viewing platform.
I especially liked that this tour gives proceeds back to the protection and development of the. local environment.
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Posted On : 2024-04-29
Posted By : pamgreene254
Loved seeing the penguins! We also saw some albatross, seals, a sea lion and lots of varied birds.
The scenery was lovely also.
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Posted On : 2024-04-26
Posted By : TINGLIN_R
Thanks to James :) we were a small group and enjoyed whole time with pleasant driving and knowledges from James, many stories on the island and about the wildlife :) James was really nice and after all, the penguins… so adorable :)
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Posted On : 2024-04-22
Posted By : D1671ZRkimm
Absolutely amazing experience! Definitely recommend planning this experience when coming to the Dunedin area. It is a beautiful drive along the coast. Our guides are super knowledgeable and welcoming. We learned about the history of the area before walking down a path to the viewing platform. We were able to watch the penguin raft come in from a long day at sea, and make their way up the shore. They stopped just a few feet in front of us to do lots of preening and grooming. Bring layers, as the wind can be chilly, but well worth it! We were also given a yummy biscuit (cookie) while we waited- which wasn’t long.
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Posted On : 2024-04-13
