Dunedin and Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour (2023)

• Local guide

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off

• Food and drinks unless otherwise stated

• tips

meeting point

• Dunedin Site Visitor Information Centre

  50 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, Neuseeland

collection points

Select a collection point

Point

This activity ends at the meeting point.

See the highlights of Dunedin, Larnach Castle and the penguins of the Otago Peninsula - all in one day. After morning pickup from your Dunedin hotel or Port Chalmers cruise port, your guide takes you around the city by minivan.

Catch a glimpse of steep Baldwin Street, the University of Otago and Dunedin Railway Station, famous for its ornate Renaissance design. You'll pass Dunedin City Hall and the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul in the Octagon - the bustling center of the city - and emerge at Signal Hill Lookout for another view.

Then, explore Larnach's extensive gardens with your guide before free time to wander at your own pace. Opt for a tour of the mansion for a historical overview, including rumors of its haunting (select the castle option when booking). You can purchase lunch at the Ballroom Cafe next to Larnach Castle before continuing on.

Upon arrival at a nearby nature reserve on the Otago Peninsula, you will be met by a naturalist guide for a tour of New Zealand's yellow-eyed penguins. A moderate hike and 90-step descent brings you to hideouts to see the nesting site up close without disturbing the world's rarest penguins.

Then return to your minivan for the drive to Taiaroa Head to visit the northern royal albatross nesting grounds. Look for seabirds with the largest wingspans gliding over headlands. Then admire the coast on your return to Dunedin, where your day trip ends.

• You will receive confirmation at the time of booking.

• Moderate walking is required, there are 90 steps into the penguin sanctuary. A moderate level of fitness is required

• Bring a waterproof jacket, sunglasses, hat, and closed-toe shoes suitable for hiking

• Operates in all weathers, please dress appropriately

• Departure time is subject to change depending on cruise ship schedule

• We guarantee you will see at least 1 penguin, but remember that penguins are wild, shy birds and sightings can be limited

• Not wheelchair accessible

• accessible shopping cart

• near public transport

• Most travelers can participate

• This tour/activity has a maximum of 16 travelers

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start of the experience.

• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start of the experience, the amount paid will not be refunded.

• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the start of the experience will not be accepted.

• Check-in times are based on the local time of the experience.

• This experience requires good timing. Cancellation due to inclement weather will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

• A minimum number of travelers is required for this experience. If you cancel because the minimum has not been met, you will be offered an alternative date/experience or a full refund.

4.5

Showing 1-10 of 70 reviews

Best guide and a great tour!

Maria_R,

July 2021

Chris was an excellent guide! He was knowledgeable and had a scientific background which is a huge plus for nature and wildlife tours. We learned a lot about the area and saw amazingly rare birds, beaches, marine mammals and architecture. The tour was good and informative. It was never boring and the day passed quickly. Great tour and we can only recommend it!

worth time and money

Chris,

December 2020

Very helpful with all the local information and trying to make sure most of the birds and mammals worked together to ensure everything possible was created for a memorable day

Great day trip, see more of Dundein

Isabel,

August 2020

Excellent day tour, very informative and friendly guide. The highlight was the Yellow Penguin Sanctuary, we got to see the penguins coming in from the ocean and up the beach to their nest boxes. The setup of the sanctuary was great as we could see it without penetrating too much as they built semi-underground ditches so we could walk upright and look at ground level so as not to scare the penguins. Seeing the stamps was a plus. The day we went wasn't the best of weather but that wasn't a huge disadvantage. the peninsula from the castle towers. Good day everyone.

Albatross and penguin sightings

Dale_A,

March 2020

We had a great day! Our guide was amazing and knew exactly where to go for the best wildlife views.

Great tour of the Otago Peninsula

Anita_G,

March 2020

The Dunedin and Peninsula tour was very enjoyable and Ben was a great guide. After being picked up directly from the port we made our way to Dunedin and had a chance to see and walk down Baldwin Street. I walked to the university (consider deleting this from the tour - not very interesting although Ben tried his best), the train station (pretty cool) and past the town hall and church. Then we went to Larnach Castle. I didn't think I'd be very interested in the castle and didn't pay for the extra tour, but I found the walk around the grounds quite enjoyable. Then we drove to the peninsula. Ben pointed out several bird species and then took us to a beach to see sea lions (another really cool stop). We then went to see penguins - we didn't see any yellow-eyed penguins in the wild, but we did see some blue-eyed penguins. I saw several species of penguins at Penguin Place as well as many seals. The last stop was the nesting site of the northern king albatross. I saw several of these beautiful birds and took some great photos. This was definitely the highlight of the tour for me. Ben was very knowledgeable and a great guide. I definitely recommend this tour.

A must-do tour in Dunedin

Christine_H,

March 2020

Ollie is very professional and I knew from the moment I met him that I was in good hands. Well timed and well paced; No stress and I'm so happy to be able to see many of the sights of the Otago Peninsula while learning about the history. In short, I had an unforgettable experience! Thank you Ollie, Chris and Back to Nature Tours.

Otago Peninsula and Wildlife Tour

Linda_U,

March 2020

Olli did a great job! He took us to see seals and albatrosses and pointed out many birds that can only be found in New Zealand. He gave us time to visit Larnach Castle as well. We really enjoyed visiting the yellow-eyed penguins. Thank you Olli for making this day so wonderful and unforgettable.

Great way to experience the wildlife of the peninsula

William_B,

March 2020

It was a great tour where we got to see yellow eyed penguins, albatross and various other birds. Tour guide Oli really knows what he is talking about and was very good at answering questions. If you have the time, go ahead and enjoy this tour, it's worth it. Thanks to Oli for a great day!

Up close and personal tour

Paula_H,

February 2020

Ben was very knowledgeable about the area, economy and wildlife. As it is a small group in a smaller vehicle he will take you on the smaller roads along the bay to get up close and personal with the birds and a very confident sea lion. Recommended.

Cute yellow-eyed penguins!

CorneliaN_P,

January 2020

A great small group tour with a knowledgeable, energetic and helpful guide. We saw penguins in the wild. Very good tour.

legal

Helene_S,

November 2019

Interesting tour with diverse fauna. It includes some hikes that were good, good views. Very knowledgeable tour guide.

A great tour

Sherry M,

November 2019

We got to see everything that was promised and we really enjoyed the tour. Unfortunately we didn't see any albatrosses but the guide was great and we loved the view and the yellow penguins. Lanarch Castle was very beautiful and the train station was very impressive.

Great tour at a great price

John_S,

November 2019

Back to Nature Tours offers a complete tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula (showing you more in one day than any other company we've come across) at an extremely reasonable price. Ben, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the area and was an expert on flora and fauna (especially penguins!). A thoroughly informative and entertaining day!

just don't deliver

Doug S,

November 2019

This tour was simply a let down for our group. It was a beautiful, undisturbed day. Upon arrival at the penguin attraction and albatross center we were told we probably wouldn't see it either and they were right. There were 2 of the rare and endangered yellow eyed penguins in nest boxes but you couldn't tell them apart unless you had good binoculars. It wasn't like they were just walking around. There were many other seabirds at the albatross center but couldn't see the ones we wanted. Larnach Castle is pretty boring if you've been to any other castle in Europe, but its gardens were spectacular and well worth a visit if that's what you're into.

Wonderful time in Akaroa

Stephen_N,

May 2019

This was an excellent tour of our recent cruise to New Zealand. The guide was very knowledgeable and understood the area. We even saw the yellow-eyed penguins. very cool!

views and animals

Michael S,

February 2019

We were lucky enough to do a private tour when the cruise ship changed their schedule. The owner didn't think to quit with just the two of us. Although Dunedin is off the beaten path for tourists, don't miss this tour. It was excellent. The view is spectacular. The birds, seals, penguins and other animals can be seen there. Our guide was knowledgeable and there was just the right amount of walking on the trails.

Great to see the penguins

Andrea_H,

December 2018

First we went to the local viewpoint but unfortunately we couldn't see much due to the weather. Then on the steepest street in the world I was disappointed that we didn't have enough time to walk up the street. When you have "THE STEEPEST STREET IN THE WORLD" I mean up and down, not limited to a 2-3 minute period. From there we drove to the university where the group was given a 5 minute walk/drive which I didn't join as I wasn't interested. Hence the disappointment that a university tour on the steepest street in the world took longer. We were told it was a very limited city tour which I respect but I think priorities need to be set, or at least the group asked which ones they would like extra time for. Although I was on a cruise ship day tour and the majority were over 60 the option should have been given as I feel the majority on the bus would have given me a little more time to walk the street and time to give up at university. We saw 2 penguins at the rehabilitation center and had about 5 minutes to watch them. Then down to the coast for a nice walk and saw lots of seals, fairy penguins (male in their nest boxes and from a distance a lone sea lion. After that a walk to try and see the albatross but sadly didn't stop for 15 minutes - but that's it the nature.

New Zealand wildlife

Paulo_B,

November 2018

A great small group tour with a young, knowledgeable and helpful guide. I really enjoyed the day and would recommend it.

Then saw the usual sights in Dunedin. . .

Janete R,

March 2018

Saw the usual sights in Dunedin, then went into the countryside and saw beaches, farms and the penguin sanctuary, then the albatross nesting site. You can't see the nest sites from land, but if you're on a cruise ship, you'll pass them right up the starboard side on the way out to sea. Sharon was a great guide full of enthusiasm and knowledge

I really enjoyed this tour. Our...

PATRICIA S,

March 2018

I really enjoyed this tour. Our guide Glen taught us a lot about New Zealand and Dunedin. We saw so much beautiful wildlife and the side trip to see the yellow eyed penguins was a treat. Great job Glenn!