Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour

Highlights:

• Otago Harbour cruise on the Monarch
• Visit a private conservation to view Yellow Eyed penguins

The Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour is the perfect optional excursion for nature lovers. It includes transport to the Otago Peninsula, an Otago Harbour cruise on the ‘Monarch’ and a visit to Penguin Place, a private conservation reserve for the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguin.

Aboard the mv Monarch you’ll take an invigorating trip around spectacular Taiaroa Head – home of the world’s only mainland nesting place of albatross. During this Albatross tour in New Zealand, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Royals soaring and banking on three metre wings.

New Zealand fur seals breed, fight and play on the rocks, and the impressive New Zealand sea lions relax on the sandy beaches. Out at sea you can spot rarely seen ocean birds including other albatross species and petrels, and you may see penguins, dolphins and other marine mammals.

As you cruise the Otago Harbour, you’ll pass the Careys Bay historic fishing village, Port Chalmers’ busy wharves and Otago Harbour’s beautiful bays, hills, farmland and forest. You’ll learn about the harbour’s volcanic geology and its Maori and European history.

Once back on dry land, discover why the Yellow Eyed Penguins are the most endangered in the world, found only on the South East Coast of New Zealand. A short bus ride over the farm takes small groups to the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve, where your guide will lead you on foot through unique covered trenches into viewing hides. These allow close viewing and photography of this shy penguin. Your journey back to Dunedin will bring you back along the beautiful Otago Peninsula.