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.
A tour designed by the Otago Peninsula's longest serving wildlife ranger.
We see a variety of wildlife species along the way (Note: 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 this experience (max 75)
PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED (no flash)
Most tours are led by conservation experts/biologists
As a Charitable Trust our aim is to look after our reserve and protect the Otago Peninsula's largest penguin colony. Equally we are committed to making our tours one of the most memorable experiences visitors to New Zealand can have.
Voted in the top 10 TripAdvisor's Best Experiences in New Zealand 2022.
Suitable for all physical fitness levels. 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. . Note we can't have umbrellas on the penguin viewing platform as eye risk to others
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.