Dunedin City Highlights, Peninsula Scenery & Penguin Tour
Embark on a scenic drive from Port Chalmers to discover the charm of Dunedin city and the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand’s wildlife capital. Along the way, stop at the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, one of the most photographed buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. As you journey through the Otago Peninsula, take in the stunning views of its breathtaking bays, beaches, and harbor—home to a rich variety of wading birds.
To enrich your experience, we recommend joining a guided tour at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve, dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Yellow-eyed Penguin. The reserve’s vital conservation efforts are funded entirely by these tours, supporting habitat restoration, predator control, research programs, and on-site care for sick, injured, or starving penguins. By participating, you’ll be directly contributing to this essential work to protect these remarkable birds from the threat of extinction.
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TOUR DETAILS
Departure: 9.30am*
Price: from NZD275* per person
Duration: 6 hours
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Your tour guide will meet you at 9:00 AM at the Port Chalmers Cruise Terminal waiting area, located between doors 1 and 2. From there, embark on a scenic 20-minute drive to Dunedin City, with photo opportunities along the way. The first stop will be at the world’s steepest street, where you'll have around 10 minutes to take in the stunning views.
Next, enjoy a panoramic vista of the area from the lookout point before heading to the Dunedin Botanical Gardens. Here, you'll explore the diverse range of plants and birds native to the region.
Continue your journey with a visit to the historic Dunedin Railway Station, learning about its fascinating past and architectural significance.
Afterward, take a scenic drive along the Otago Peninsula’s Highcliff Road, with additional photo stops to capture the breathtaking landscapes. After approximately an hour, reach the end of the Peninsula and visit The Opera (formerly Penguin Place). This private reserve is home to the critically endangered Yellow-eyed Penguins. Join a guided tour of the reserve, where you'll learn about conservation efforts and, if you're lucky, get a chance to see these rare penguins either in the rehabilitation center or in their natural habitat.
Please note, this tour involves walking up and down hills. If you have difficulty walking, this experience may not be suitable for you. Wildlife is free to roam, so Yellow-eyed Penguin sightings are not guaranteed. However, your participation in this tour helps fund crucial conservation work aimed at saving these remarkable birds from extinction.
After the penguin tour, you'll return via a scenic route along the low road, offering a different perspective of the harbor. Before heading back to Port Chalmers, you'll make a final stop at the Dunedin Railway Station. Expect to return to Port Chalmers between 3:30 and 4:00 PM. Alternatively, if your ship departs later, you can remain in the city to explore or shop, and return to the port on your own.
Please note that there is limited time for lunch during this tour. Your guide will stop for a quick sandwich or snack purchase along the way.
We reserve the right to slightly adjust the itinerary and its order based on factors beyond our control, such as road closures, late ship arrivals or early departures, and other unforeseen circumstances.
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*On some occasions when the cruise ship arrives later we delay our departure to accommodate cruise ship passengers. Please click "book now" and check our departure for a chosen day
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*An additional booking fee applies
Lifecycle of Yellow Eyed Penguins
Mid-August: The 28-week breeding season begins when partnerships are formed or renewed, and nest sites are selected. Mating takes place.
Mid-September/October: Two greenish-white eggs, about 75×55 mm in size, are laid. Both parents take turns to incubate, which takes about 43 days.
November/December: The eggs hatch and the guard stage begins. This is a 40-50 day period when one parent stays at the nest to brood while the other fishes. Upon their return they perform an elaborate greeting ceremony of trills and calls before feeding their hungry chicks. Although guarded constantly during this stage, the chicks are still vulnerable to predators.
January: By the time chicks are 6-7 weeks old, both parents must fish each day to satisfy the voracious appetites of their demanding young. This is the post-guard stage and towards the end the chicks will start to lose their soft brown down.
February: The chicks fledge into their waterproof plumage and go to sea, an extremely hazardous time, with fewer than 20% surviving to maturity. Juveniles and non-breeders start their annual moult.
March/April: The parents have just a few weeks to recover and put on weight before beginning the annual moult. They are confined to land whilst they wait for their old feather coat to be replaced.
Early-May: Sleek and shiny in their new plumage, the penguins head out to sea, but return most nights to sleep, preen and socialise.
Soon it will be August and the busy breeding season will begin again. About 80% of surviving juveniles will return to breed at the place where they were hatched. Hoiho are devoted parents. Incubation of eggs and raising of young are shared responsibilities. During a good breeding season yellow-eyed penguin pairs can successfully raise two chicks.