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Otago Peninsula Wildlife Encounter Tour
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Spend up to $1000
Highlights
- Featuring Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and other sea bird colonies
- Observe Royal Albatross flying about the headland
- Unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife
Visit the stunning Otago Peninsula and discover all of the wildlife “hotspots” on this fully guided tour. Spot Hooker’s Sea lions, Yellow-Eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, New Zealand fur seals, Royal Albatross and more! A great opportunity to see tourism and conversation working in tandem.
What's Included?
- Guided tour of Otago Peninsula wildlife
- Transport from Dunedin
- Friendly and knowledgeable guide
Departing every afternoon from Dunedin city, visit the beautiful Otago Peninsula and its wildlife 'hotspots' featuring Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and other sea bird colonies. The tour provides a glimpse into the world of tourism and conservation working together for the benefit of the wildlife and providing absolutely unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife.
Your knowledgeable guides will deliver commentary of activity being viewed. You will visit isolated places inaccessible to others, providing the best possible viewing of unique peninsula wildlife. The private conservation area ensures exclusivity with brilliant opportunities to photograph Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and other sea bird colonies.
At Taiaroa head from a cliff face you will watch and observe Royal Albatross flying about the headland. A further 25-30 other estuarine and marine bird species are seen during the experience around the bays and lagoons.
Within the conservation area, close up unobtrusive viewing from beach locations and strategically placed observation hides is guaranteed. On most days Albatross are seen flying at Taiaroa headland, with a greater opportunity from the conservation area strategic observation point to see many other pelagic sea bird species flying close, including numerous petrel and shearwater species. Up to five other Albatross species are regularly seen and identified.
This experience is part of the Responsible range as it holds a Qualmark Enviro-Gold endorsement and has been assessed by Earth Check as exceeding the standard of Best Practices in Environmental management of Tourism activities. Elm Wildlife has also achieved Carbon Neutrality in 1997 by conducting its own 11 hectare tree planting program.
Session Length
- Please allow 6-6.5 hours in summer and 5-5.5 hours in winter
- Tour departure times vary throughout the year (from 12:45pm mid-winter to 3.30pm mid-summer) to coincide with changing animal activity and daylight hours
- Available all year round except 25 December and 31 December
Guidelines
- Flash photography is not permitted as this startles the penguins
- Walking is required to access the private conservation area where Hookers Sea lions, NZ Fur seal breeding colony and Yellow eyed Penguins are located. The walk requires basic fitness as the terrain is hilly farm land, sandy beaches and stairways provide access the viewing hides. Generally the two separate return sectors (down & up) each require approximately 15 minutes walking time because of the gradient
Cancellation
Once this experience has been confirmed, changes are at the discretion of the experience provider and arranged directly with them according to their policy.
- Within 24 hours: No refund is available
Dress Code
Please take warm, waterproof clothing as the weather can change very quickly at any time of the year. Walking shoes/boots with heavy tread are recommended and necessary if conditions are wet or muddy.
Other Info
Although snacks are available through a small store in the Portobello township and the Albatross centre cafe during the tour, it is recommended that participants bring their own snacks and drinks.
This experience departs from Dunedin and visits the Otago Peninsula.
