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| Larnach Castle and the Otago Peninsular |
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Christchurch is built beside twin volcanoes which erupted around three million years ago. But the city's development has concentrated on the broad neighbouring plains. The volcanic mound that now forms Banks Peninsula is a region of steep hills sweeping down to rugged inlets and bays. Providing a rich environment for birds and marine life, the area is home to the world's smallest dolphins.
It's thought there are only 3,000 Hector's Dolphins in the world
[ more about their endangered status ]
, and a special Marine Mammal Sanctuary has been created to safeguard the remaining numbers.
Dunedin’s volcanoes are even older and have long been silent. But they too have left a string of offshore mounts, merged into the rugged Otago Peninsula. While the city of Dunedin has grown on the gentler harbour side, the string of ancient cliffs and sandy bays on the seaward side has created a wildlife haven on the city’s doorstep.
The world’s only mainland colony of Royal albatross thrives here
[ more about the Royal albatross]
, as well as numerous colonies of fur seals, sea lions, and rare yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho).
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