Otago Peninsula full day tours from Dunedin.

This Monarch Cruise Premier Package includes the full Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head wildlife cruise, scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour, and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats.

Three tour options

Tour 3: Scenic bus tour, wading bird wetlands, guided land tours of Royal Albatross Colony & Yellow Eyed Penguin reserve (Penguin Place). Wildlife and harbour cruise.

Tour 3L: include a guided tour of Larnach Castle

Tour 3S: include city sightseeing tour showcasing Dunedin’s heritage buildings and Baldwin St; the world’s steepest street

Please Note
Lunch: time is allowed at Café - own cost
Winter: return time is 6pm, harbour cruise unavailable to ensure penguin viewing.

Pick ups from city accommodation.

Royal Albatross Breeding Colony

With a wing span of 3 metres and flight speeds of 115 mph these birds are the world’s largest seabird. Their largest mainland breeding colony in the World is located at Taiaroa Heads at the tip of the Otago Peninsula.
Pair bonds between males and females form over several years, using ritualised dances, and the bonds will last for the life of the pair.
Male and female albatross share the chick rearing equally, raising one chick every two years, each bird matures at six years. Albatross live about 45 years, but a famous former resident bird ‘Grandma’ raised her last chick at age 62.

Penguin Place

This conservation project was established in 1985, when there were only 8 breeding pairs of Yellow-eyed Penguins. This has now more than doubled, making this a medium sized breeding colony on the South Island. Receive a guided tour through the colony for some close-up viewing of the birds. Covered trenches and observation huts provide cover so the penguins will not be frightened and we can observe them going about their daily business unperturbed by your presence.
Larnach Castle & Gardens (included in Tour 3L only)

Larnach Castle

Approximately 12 kms from the city along the Otago Peninsula is Larnach Castle, set amongst 35 acres of fantastic gardens and grounds, this is not a big Castle by European standards but lovingly restored and beautifully presented. Buildings of this style are not often seen in the Antipodes.

Half day tours are also offered