Best Otago Peninsula Tour

Our tour begins with a scenic drive into the city to admire the largest collection of Edwardian and Victorian structures. We also visit Baldwin Street, the ‘steepest street in the world’; the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest university; and the Historic Dunedin Railway Station. Before heading farther along the bay, enjoy the city’s central plaza with its octagonal layout.

The journey continues out onto the Otago Peninsula, where the southern rollers pound our coastline and rare wildlife comes ashore regularly throughout the year. We visit Larnach Castle gardens, where a unique collection of specialized gardens can be explored and some of the finest views of the Otago Harbour can be seen. Please note that lunch is not included; however, you will have the opportunity to purchase something from the Larnach Castle Ballroom Café or later on during the tour. If you have any dietary requirements, please let your guide know on the day of the tour.

After your Larnach Castle experience, we follow the winding gravel roads towards Portobello, the main township on the Otago Peninsula. On the way, we visit the Tidal Inlets and learn about this fascinating ecosystem and the waders and waterfowl that rely on it. View native birds of New Zealand feeding on rich mudflats and see some of the finest scenery along this rugged coastline.
Continuing on, we spend the afternoon viewing the unique and treasured penguins and other native wildlife that call the coasts of New Zealand home. We take an adventurous journey through a series of tunnels and hides to get unrivaled viewing of the ‘critically endangered’ yellow-eyed penguin. We also see little blue penguins, NZ sea lions and NZ fur seals who come ashore regularly. Grab your cameras — you can expect to see at least two of these species during the afternoon! This Dunedin penguin tour provides you with fantastic photographic opportunities and introduces you to arguably the rarest penguin in the world. The 90 steps to climb and 600 meters to trek take approximately 90 minutes, and the rewards are immeasurable.

Our final stop is at Taiaroa Head, where the Northern Royal Albatross can often be seen gliding around the headland. Our guide will tell you the story of a truly amazing bird that spends most of his life at sea and chooses the tip of the Otago Peninsula to breed. The surrounding area is also full of interest, and it’s a perfect way to finish the day before taking the low road back to Port Chalmers.