Peninsula Encounters

Our 5 to 6 hour 'wildlife packed' tour on the beautiful Otago Peninsula is conducted during the afternoon/evening to coincide with lot's of animal activity, particularly the arrival home from the sea of yellow-eyed penguins. The tour provides absolutely unrivalled wildlife viewing, particularly within our conservation area and has been the highlight of many travellers visit to New Zealand. Join us to see the growth effects of our penguin conservation endeavours, knowing that your visit has contributed to the ongoing conservation effort. Standard tour description and options below ;

Standard Tour

This multi-award winning, scheduled, daily, 'small group' tour departs from Dunedin city in the mid-afternoon for the Otago Peninsula wildlife 'hotspots'. The tour combines tourism and conservation in a symbiotic relationship and provides absolutely unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife. Our knowledgeable guides will inform you of activity being viewed and visit places where the best possible viewing of Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and Royal Albatross can be had. A further 25-30 other estuarine and marine bird species are seen during the experience. Close up unobtrusive viewing from beach locations and strategically placed observation hides is guaranteed .

This tour has three available inclusion options, which can add diversity to the experience. These are a Taiaroa head boat cruise aboard the 'Monarch', an Albatross breeding area tour conducted by the Royal Albatross Centre or all of these combined into one "Total Wildlife" eight hour afternoon/evening package See descriptions of these options below ;

Forward bookings essential.

Discount this Fare*

*Available to bona fide students, backpackers and families. Proof of qualification for discount will be required on tour day ie Student or backpacker ID card. Families can be either one or both parents and at least two children under 18 years. No charge for children three and under.

Check the tour requirements before you book.

Options available:

Peninsula Encounters Tour including Royal Albatross Centre Tour

This tour combines the standard peninsula encounters above with a tour operated by the Royal Albatross centre at Taiaroa headland. If you want to see the world's biggest sea bird close-up, then this is as good as it gets. A unique opportunity to watch these magnificent birds on their nesting area at Taiaroa Head. Your tour guide will deliver you to the Royal Albatross centre to join the one hour tour, before rejoining with your Elm Wildlife tour guide for the remainder of our half day tour. This tour inclusion is a must for the Albatross enthusiast. NOTE: Not available during the Albatross nest building period from 16th September to 24th November each year.

Forward bookings essential.

Discount this Fare*

*Available to bona fide students, backpackers and families. Proof of qualification for discount will be required on tour day ie Student or backpacker ID card. Families can be either one or both parents and at least two children under 18 years. No charge for children three and under.

Check the tour requirements before you book.

Peninsula Encounters Tour including Monarch Boat Cruise

Another option is to combine your Elm wildlife tour with a cruise on the Monarch. Your Elm tour guide will drop you at Weller's Rock to board the boat, 'Monarch', for a cruise on the ocean to a point below the Albatross Colony for a unique view of these birds from the water. This option views many other seabirds on the way and you'll be back off the boat one hour later and met by your guide to rejoin the Elm Wildlife tour for the highlight, the land based section to see Yellow-eyed and blue penguins, Hooker Sea lions and the breeding colony of New Zealand Fur seals all within our private conservation area, as described in 'standard tour' above. If you love to be on the water viewing seabirds then this is the tour option for you.

Forward bookings essential.

*Available to bona fide students, backpackers and families. Proof of qualification for discount will be required on tour day ie Student or backpacker ID card. Families can be either one or both parents and at least two children under 18 years. No charge for children three and under.

Check the tour requirements before you book.

Rates*

*valid 1/10/2009 - 30/9/2010

Timetable

Peninsula Encounters tour departure times vary throughout the year (from 12:45pm mid winter to 3.35pm mid-summer) to coincide with changing animal activity and daylight hours. These can be confirmed when making reservations. Participants will be collected from, and returned to any City or Peninsula accommodation, the Dunedin Visitor centre or arranged points on route. Tour duration is 5.5 - 6.5 hours depending on animal behaviours and season. New Zealand Daylight time

Brochure

Take a look at our Peninsula Encounters brochure. (PDF 777Kb)

Forward bookings essential.

Check the tour requirements before you book.

Check our Cancellation policy