Join us on this tour designed by our Operations 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.
Departing Dunedin, we pass by some of the city’s most famous landmarks before being whisked out to explore the vast Otago Peninsula. 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.
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. In spring/summer Pukekura is home to over 10000 seabirds including a nesting location for royal albatross. 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. Apart from our winter months (June-September), we almost always see albatross flying at this site.
A visit to the cliff viewing area is often rewarding for sightings of a huge variety of other seabirds seen nearby such as different species of shags, gulls and other coastal nesting species. Often too from here we see other species of seabird in the albatross family foraging at sea. With the aid of binoculars, we can help you identify several species. Below, a breeding location exists for New Zealand fur seals, these animals can be seen most of the year on the exposed bedrock or are often seen frolicking in the waters nearby. From here it’s into the nearby royal albatross centre to begin our Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience.
Blue Penguins Pukekura tours are hosted by local expert wildlife guides who share the rich cultural history of the area while also sharing biological knowledge of endemic flora and fauna. In the albatross centre, hear local stories and understand how the plentiful resources, the shape and position of this headland led to the area’s use by different iwi (tribes) over many centuries. The beach we visit to view the penguins is owned by local Māori, we spend time learning about their dedication to the preservation of the area and the wildlife inhabitants throughout this one and a half hour guided tour. This small beach (Takiharuru) has a population of over 300 breeding pairs of kororā/little penguins. It is now the largest penguin colony on the Otago Peninsula.
Then just before sunset, on our purpose-built platform to watch and wait for the first birds to return from sea. Penguin arrival time does vary from night to night, and we highly recommend our guests come prepared by wearing extra layers of clothing. It often gets cold when the sun goes down. It’s the mission of Blue Penguins Pukekura to ensuring the protection of the land and increase the diversity of wildlife in this nature reserve while also ensuring visitors experience one of nature’s marvels, often described as an experience of a lifetime.
After the Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience Tour is completed your driver will take you back to your central city accommodation
Exclusions
No meals are included and the tour is 5 hours in length, recommend eating prior and bringing any snacks personally required
Day 23 – 2nd December
Tour commences approximately 6.30pm from Dunedin accommodation
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 30 in-built steps to climb up and down.
No meals are provided on this tour. We suggest visitors eat before the start of the tour or bring a few snacks. The tour length is approximately 5 hours.
The tour includes viewing of a range of wildlife species, some species are more regularly seen that others and abundance does vary with seasons.
Penguin arrival time does vary from night to night, and we highly recommend our guests come prepared by wearing extra layers of clothing. It often gets cold when the sun goes down.
If you’d rather chat, give one of our Travelcation Experts a call today to begin crafting your bespoke holiday experience.