Wildlife and Penguin Tour
Description
We invite you to join us for an experience unlike any other in New Zealand on one of our guided Wildlife and Penguin Tour. Penguins, fur seals, sea lions, shore and land birds, native fauna, and more await you within our private reserve. Best of all, by taking a tour you are joining our work, as tour operations directly fund the conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and education initiatives at The OPERA.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our Wildlife & Penguin tour offers the most exclusive opportunity in New Zealand to view the endangered, yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), in their natural habitat. This 90-minute guided tour consists of three parts. Our guests begin their experience in a theatre setting, where they learn about the yellow-eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into our rehabilitation centre (when penguins are present) where yellow-eyed penguins and other penguin species can be seen up close. Finally, guests take a short bus trip into our reserve where they are guided on an approximately 2km (1.25 mile) nature walk with the potential to see numerous plants and animals, including yellow-eyed penguins and little penguins, fur seals, sea lions, and several species of shore and land birds, all of which reside in the reserve.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(42)
Booked as part of triple combo ticket direct, including Royal Albatros Centre and Wildlife Cruise. It's an interesting place to visit with the opportunity to see yellow eyed penguins in the wild and the rehab centre. Don't expect to see dozens (like the little blues) - these are a critically endangered species but we saw them up close in the rehab centre. First there's a video and talk on the penguins, then a great wildlife and nature walk as well, out on the peninsula to the beach just before dusk where the penguins come ashore. Sadly they didn't appear on the beach for us but this is wildlife not Disney - it doesn't turn up to appointment and put on a parade! We got up close to fur seals and saw lots of bird life on the walk, and the penguins in the rehab centre where you are far closer than you'd normally get were amazing. Would recommend and it's a great way to support the conservation of this endangered species.
Managed to see just 1 penguin and few fur seals.. may be going tot he beach sometime in the evening or morning will give better chances of seeing more!! But the tour help us know how the penguins conservation works and how they help them breed. We did see 3 yellow eyes penguin in their rescue center.
Great outdoor experience to get close to fur seals, and penguins. The guides are very knowledgeable.
A fantastic experience with an informative guide who was very knowledgeable about penguins and other animals on display. The overall experience was very informative and enjoyable.
Wonderful experience and guide engaging and knowledgeable.
We had an excellent guide that understood the issues facing local wildlife but was not a preacher. This was a bus ride/hiking tour of about 90 minutes. We saw seals just sleeping everywhere on the bluffs. We were able to see a couple Blue penguins in their boxes. But that is only true because you could see his or her back blocking the view inside the box compared to the empty boxes we could see inside. We were able to see inside the rehab area where the yellow-eyed penguins were healing. They were up and walking around giving us good photos. They limit the tour size and they book up. So call ahead.
We were briefly introduced to wildlife on the peninsula and then rode in a minibus near the beach. The ride went over a private farm and was exciting. We got a very good pair of binoculars before the walk and walked a few hundred meters with them. The guide gave interesting information. We saw birds, seals and sea lions. No penguins, unfortunately. We then saw the penguins in the sanctuary, where they are cared for and spruced up for up to 3 weeks before being released back into nature. Great how it's done there.
I was so excited to go on this tour. We were lucky that the penguins were molting so we got to see them outside.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! The staff is sooooo knowledgeable and so happy to welcome you into this incredible world!!!!
Excellent tour - saw sea lions, penguins both nesting and rescued from injury. Beautiful location and dedicated team. Recommended!
