Dunedin's To-Do List
Check out some great things to do and see in Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Royal Albatross Colony
- Family fun
- Scenic Splendour
- Eco/Wilderness
The Royal Albatross Centre is situated at the bottom of Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula. It is the only mainland breeding colony of these massive seabirds in the world.
To sight a soaring Albatross is unforgettable - a spectacle touched with a dignity and majesty no other bird can excel. Held aloft on slim wings up to 3 metres (9'6") across, the great Albatross is capable of swooping speeds of at least 115 kph+. Its pure ecstasy in the air, yet distinctly clumsy on the ground.
The social and family life of the breeding colony is fascinating. Chicks, delicious white balls of fluff are fussed over by devoted parents; adolescent’s party, just like adolescents everywhere; courtships proceed with lots of kissing and cuddling and "marriage" is usually for life despite long separations at sea. And the life of an Albatross is indeed long - one bird at Taiaroa, fondly known as "Grandma," raised her last chick at age 62!
Albatrosses on remote storm-bound islands have little to fear, but when these large, conspicuous birds nest near a city it presents a very different situation. Between 1914 and 1919 Royal Albatrosses were known to land at Taiaroa Head, and in 1920 the first egg was found there. In 1937, Dr L.E. Richdale, an ornithologist of Dunedin, strove to protect the colony from interference. Their efforts were rewarded in 1938 when the first Taiaroa-reared chick flew. The colony is now home to 130 birds and hosts thousands of visitors who enjoy this unique experience.
Penguin Place– Yellow Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve
- Eco Wilderness
- Scenic Splendour
- Family Fun
The Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve at Penguin Place offers visitors the opportunity to visit a working conservation programme and to experience and photograph undisturbed penguin activity at close range through a unique system of hides and covered tunnels.
The reserve is a private conservation effort to save one of the world’s most endangered penguins, the yellow-eyed penguin, from extinction. The reserve is funded entirely through the profits from the Penguin Place tour operation
Yellow-eyed Penguins were called Hoiho ("noise-shouter") by the Maori.
Yellow-eyed Penguins gain their names from their yellow iris and the characteristic yellow head band. They only live in New Zealand and they are one of the rarest penguins in the world with a total population of about 4000-5000 individuals.
Daily foraging trips usually alone or in pairs take the penguins between 5 and 25 km off the coast. They leave the colony at sun-rise and usually return every evening.
Viewing these wonderful birds in the evening is often a noisy affair as they return from a hard day fishing. Surfing in on the waves and waddling ashore calling for their mates or just talking about their adventures at sea that day.
Natures Wonders
- Family Fun
- Scenic Splendour
- Eco Wilderness
Natures Wonders will show you the wild side of the spectacular Otago Peninsula with a thrilling cross-country adventure in the ultimate all terrain vehicle, an 8 wheel drive ARGO. You’ll see stunning coastal scenery and an extraordinary range of wildlife, including the world’s rarest Penguin, the Yellow Eyed, in its natural habitat.
You’ll get close to breeding colonies of New Zealand Fur Seals and Cormorants, and see Oyster Catchers, Gulls, Paradise Ducks, Hawks and Swallows. One of the tours covers the Maritime and Military History of Fort Taiaroa, with visits to the wreck of the Tyrone, the largest steamship to founder in New Zealand.
A soft adventure experience combined with wildlife and stunning scenery makes it a fun family experience.
At the end of the adventure you can relax in the large restaurant area taking in the stunning panoramic coastal while enjoying some light refreshment.
www.natureswondersnaturally.com
Larnach Castle
- Heritage/History
- Scenic Splendour
Built in 1871, experience Larnach’s history and the grandeur of Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. The tower of the castle provides panoramic views of the 35 acres of beautiful gardens surrounding the castle, as well as views of Dunedin City, the Otago Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.
The castle has been lovingly restored by the Barker family since they purchased the near ruin in 1967. Over the proceeding years Margaret Barker and her family have searched New Zealand for the original pieces of furniture and artefacts, Constance’s boudoir (the third wife of William Larnach) even contains her original wedding gown. The castle is now fully restored and furnished and a national treasure.
The scandal and history of William Larnach, his three wives, his political and merchant career, through to his suicide and the rumours of his son’s affair with his third wife add to the intrigue of a visit to the castle.
Larnach Castle is set in 35 acres of magnificent gardens and grounds and is renowned as one of NZs finest gardens and rated a “Garden of National Significance” You can sit having a coffee in the original ball room and gaze out at the ever changing garden vista and imagine the time and effort that has gone into bringing what was virtually overgrown land with sheep grazing on it, to the beautiful gardens of today.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises
- Family Fun
- Scenic Splendour
- Eco Wilderness
MV Monarch is a 55 year old classic motor vessel offering unrivalled viewing of a diverse array of wildlife during one hour cruises around Taiaroa Head. See what cannot be seen from land.
There is always wildlife to be viewed no matter what the season. Winter although not the warmest time for passengers is often the best time to view the wildlife, with the prevailing wind usually being a strong sou'wester which flattens the sea.
Aside from the northern royal albatross at Taiaroa Head, blue penguins and the rare yellow-eyed penguin, an amazing diversity of wildlife can be seen. New Zealand fur seals playfully dip in and out of the water or sunbath on the rocks. Sea lions lie about on Otago Peninsula's grassy banks not far from penguin hides.
Experienced guides, with a running commentary, information sheets, warm jackets, binoculars and refreshments all enhance the experience.
Taieri Gorge Railway
- Scenic splendour
- Family Fun
- Heritage History
Sit back and relax as your train negotiates this exhilarating narrow river gorge and cliff hugging tunnels and viaducts soaring above the river. The train ride takes you through some isolated and always scenic areas before arriving at Pukerangi or Middlemarch some 2 to 2 1/2 hours later depending on the final destination. Take a photo on the open air platforms or wait until the train stops for a scenic photo opportunity. With a live commentary, friendly well informed staff, sightseeing stops, modern and traditional carriages and a fully licensed snack bar this is an all weather family experience not to be missed.
The train ride from Dunedin to Pukerangi or Middlemarch is popular with the cyclists who enjoy the chance to relax before they start their three day cycle journey on the Otago Rail Trail.
“The Seasider” is a new summertime venture run by the Taieri Gorge Railway. It explores the wonderful section of railway between Dunedin and Palmerston and offers spectacular views over Otago Harbour and the wild Otago coastline. It is run on a seasonal basis.
Cadbury World
And who doesn’t love chocolate? An experience for the young, old, male and female chocoholics out there!
The Cadbury World Visitors Centre is a unique, fun filled, interactive chocolate themed environment where you will discover all sorts of fascinating facts about the history of Cadbury and chocolate through the ages. Personal guided tours of the Cadbury Dunedin factory where visitors will experience the total chocolate experience in sight, smell and sound, with product sampling along the way.
Included is a visit to the unique chocolate fall housed in a five story silo. The tour finishes in the retail store where you can purchase even more chocolate.
Article by
Tourism Dunedin
Written: 38 articles
Dunedin is located on the South East coast of the South Island. It is a city nestled in tree-clad hills at the head of a spectacular harbour.
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