Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour and Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience (5 Hours)

Formed millions of years ago from a series of major volcanic eruptions, the Otago Peninsula has some of the best spectacular coastal scenery.

Now a wild bustling haven for wildlife, we regularly see albatross, penguins, seals and a variety of wading and land birds as we explore the peninsula.

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 this tour is the one for you!

Join us on this tour designed by our General Manager, Lyndon Perriman, former wildlife ranger for the Otago Peninsula for over 30 years! Designed for those that are nature enthusiasts, for those that want to see and learn as much as possible about the environment, the species we see and the places we visit. Gain unique insights into the cultural connection of the people of this land as we travel to remote areas of the Otago Peninsula weaving many stories and visiting significant sites to Māori along our near 100km return journey.

“The best value tour of the peninsula to see a range of species, to learn from experts and be guided and become fully immersed in the Otago Peninsula’s natural beauty”.

At $165 for nearly 5 hours, that works out at just $33/hour ! Let someone else do the driving and show you the peninsula and its wildlife!

Tour Itinerary

After departing Dunedin, we take the scenic high road on the Otago Peninsula to give guests an overview of the city, the peninsula and the geological past that has shaped this peninsula. 

Along the way we detour off from sealed roads to venture along back country unsealed roads. Here we explore tidal inlets, vast areas of highly productive marine ecosystems that feed the range of wading bird species we see.

For those with a botanical interest, we view native forest plant species and discuss how New Zealand's early split from the super-continent Gondwana impacted on the path of evolution of our endemic plants and animals, species that evolved in a highly unusual environment, being one almost completely void of mammals. 

Natural resources were abundant when Māori first stepped ashore here. We visit many sites that are still considered to be highly significant sites today.

At our reserve at Pukekura, we have access to the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula. Here too, we often see a multitude of different species that bred here over spring/summer.

While we arrive too late in the day for us to visit the nesting site of the albatross, our arrival in the late evening is still often an excellent time to see albatross flying overhead (greater chances in spring/summer).

Often from here we see other seabird species

A breeding location exists here for New Zealand fur seals, these animals can be seen most of the year.

From here it's into the nearby royal albatross centre to begin our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience. 

ABOUT THIS PART OF YOUR TOUR-WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

In the albatross centre, this part of the tour is where you learn about the penguins and gain an understand the significance of the site to Māori.

Then a short walk to our reserve. This small beach (Takiharuru) has a population of over 250 breeding pairs of kororā/little penguins. It is now the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula.

At dusk watch Little Blue Penguins return from the sea and scurry up the beach just metres away.

Enjoy exceptional viewing from our purpose‑built platform overlooking the beach. Watch penguins swim in from sea and land on the beach just in front of us.

From there they head for our aptly named “Penguin Highway” their main access to the reserve. This is a place where our penguins often stop allowing for awesome viewing observations of penguin socalisations and photography of these birds in their natural habitat.

Most of our guides have conservation backgrounds and love to share the rich cultural history of the area while also sharing biological knowledge of endemic flora and fauna.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography is welcome (non‑flash). We’re the only night‑time blue penguin viewing site in New Zealand that allows photography. Sorry but tripods are not allowed (they are a trip hazard for other guests around you).

PENGUIN NUMBERS:

In September to February, we will likely see between 50-300 penguins each night!

In the non-breeding months (March to August) we expect between 10 - 80 penguins each night.

WE GUARANTEE PENGUINS AND WILL OFFER PART REFUNDS* ON ANY NIGHT WHERE WE SEE LESS THAN 5 BIRDS

In September to February we will likely see between 50-300 penguins each night!

In the non-breeding months (March to August) we expect between 10 - 80 penguins each night.

*We see penguins on 99% of nights. For our Otago Peninsula In-Depth Tour we will offer a 100% refund in the unusual event of us not seeing any Blue Penguins on this tour (DIRECT bookings only). We will offer a 50% refund of this tour if we see less than 5 Blue Penguins (DIRECT bookings only).

We can not honour full refunds for any third-party bookings such as travel agents that make a booking on their clients behalf.

WHAT TO BRING

Meals: Not included — please eat beforehand or bring snacks.

Clothing: It is often cold at night so bring additional clothing!! Suitable footwear for walking outside

Bring your camera (no flash photography allowed).

Bring your questions!! We have several guides working each night that love to engage with you!

After the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour is completed, your driver will take you back to your central city accommodation.

Important Information

• Minimum age: 18. Because of the tour length, content and winding road this tour in our vans is not suitable for children. Minimum age of 18 applies. We will cancel bookings where guests are younger than 18 on this tour (under 18-year-olds are welcome to join the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience tour and will be on the penguin viewing part of that tour which this tour joins later in the day).

• Fitness: A low level of fitness is required for this tour, but we do walk on some uneven ground and our walk down to the penguin viewing platform is a walk of around 150m and there are around 60 in-built steps to climb up and down (Click here to see the walking access: Access to Viewing Platform — Blue Penguins Pukekura). 

• Meals: Not included — please eat beforehand or bring snacks

• Group size: Up to 12 in the van; penguin viewing joined with other visitors

• Toilets- There are opportunities to use bathroom/toilets along the way during this tour. 

• Pick‑ups: Fable Hotel, Distinction Hotel, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, or Dunedin i‑SITE. If you are not staying at Fable, Distinction or Scenic Hotel Southern Cross you must pick the Dunedin Visitor Centre i-Site as your pick up location.

• Drop‑offs: All central Dunedin hotels/motels

• Wildlife expectations:-numbers and species vary throughout the year

  • Blue penguins seen on 99% of tours (often 1–2 metres away)

  • Albatross sightings fairly common Oct–May (flying overhead only, we don’t see the nesting site of this species)

  • Fur seals are seen regularly; and sea lions are seen occasionally

  • Various wading birds and other seabirds are seen during this trip

  For guests Not staying at Fable, Distinction or Scenic Hotel Southern Cross but staying elsewhere in Dunedin, please use our main pick-up location outside the Dunedin visitor Centre I-SITE in the Octagon. 

Student/Backpacker deals are available for this product use code Student11 as a 11% promo code discount (ID will need to be sighted at check-in).

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