Sights in Otago Peninsula
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Nature’s Wonders
Situated just 1km past the albatross colony, and based on a large sheep farm that covers most of the peninsula’s tip, Nature’s Wonders runs one-hour tours that take you up close to Stewart Island shags, NZ fur seals, and finally along a private little beach to a yellow-eyed penguin colony, where you can get within metres of the birds without disturbing them. The tour is conducted in ‘go-anywhere’ Argos vehicles and is an exciting combo of improbable scenery and wildlife adventure. It’s worth it for the beautiful vistas alone.
reviewed
-
Yellow-Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve
The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve has replanted the penguins’ breeding grounds, built nesting sites, cared for sick and injured birds and trapped predators. Ninety-minute tours include a talk on penguin conservation and close-up viewing from a system of hides. You can see the birds all year round, but summer is best. Between October and March, tours run regularly from 10.15am to 90 minutes before sunset; between April and September they’re just from 3.15pm to 4.45pm. The tours are popular, so book ahead.
reviewed
-
Larnach Castle
Standing proudly on the peninsula’s highest point, Larnach Castle was an extravagance of the Dunedin merchant, banker and politician William Larnach. Built in 1871 to impress his French-nobility-descended wife (she apparently didn’t like it much), the ostentatious, Gothic mansion is filled with exquisite antique furnishings. Larnach committed suicide in Parliament House in 1898, financially ruined, and with his latest wife and favourite son romantically linked.
reviewed
-
Royal Albatross Centre
Taiaroa Head, at the peninsula’s eastern tip, has the world’s only mainland royal albatross colony. The best time to visit is from December to February, when one parent is constantly guarding the young while the other delivers food throughout the day. Sightings are most common in the afternoon when the winds pick up; calm days don’t see much bird action. The only public access is through the Royal Albatross Centre. One-hour tours (adult/child $45/22.50) include viewing from a glassed-in hut overlooking the nesting sites. There’s no viewing from mid-September to late November, and from late November to December the birds are nestbound so it’s difficult to see that magnific…
reviewed
-
Marine Studies Centre
The Marine Studies Centre has octopuses, seahorses, crayfish, sharks and a huge pink model squid. Help with fish-feeding (Wednesday and Saturday 2pm to 3pm), or join a guided tour at 10.30am (adult/child/family $21/11/48 for entry plus tour). The centre showcases the work of the adjacent university-run marine laboratory.
reviewed
-
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden covers 12 hectares with flowers, walking tracks and swaying, mature trees including a 1000-year-old matai. Expect spectacular harbour views. The Portobello bus stops out the front.
reviewed
-
Allens Beach
reviewed
-
Victory Beach
reviewed
-
Te Rauone Beach
reviewed
-
Silver Peaks Reserve
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Pipikaretu Beach
reviewed
-
Pilot Beach
reviewed
-
Papanui Beach
reviewed
-
Otakau Marau
reviewed
-
Orokonui Ecosanctuary
reviewed
-
Mihiwaka
reviewed
-
Lovers Leap
reviewed
-
Lighthouse
reviewed
-
Hare Hill
reviewed
-
Catholic Church
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Boulder Beach
reviewed
-
Allans Beach Reserve
reviewed
-
Penguin Place Lodge
Atop the hill and surrounded by farmland, this lodge has a good shared kitchen, a bright lounge, and basic double and twin rooms. There are views across the farm and harbour, you’re close to seals and albatross, and you’re next-door neighbours with the penguins. Linen costs $5 extra.
reviewed
-
Larnach Lodge
Larnach Castle’s back-garden lodge has 12 individually decorated rooms. The Queen Victoria Room has a giant four-poster bed, and in the Goldrush Room guests sleep in an old horse-drawn carriage. Less frivolous are the atmospheric rooms in the 125-year-old Coach House with sloping Tudor ceilings. Dinner available by arrangement.
reviewed
-
Fort Taiaroa
Also on the albatross-centre site are the remains of Fort Taiaroa and its 1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun, built along with other gun emplacements on the peninsula when NZ was certain a Russian invasion was imminent. The gun is loaded and aimed underground, then pops up like the world’s slowest jack-in-the-box to be fired. Apparently it’s still in perfect working order. The Fort Taiaroa tour (adult/child $20/10) or the Unique Taiaroa Experience (adult/child $50/25) include the guns and the birds. There’s also an exhibit on peninsular wildlife, and a cafe (mains $10 to $23).
Prices detailed are for December to March; rates are lower in other months.
reviewed
