Product Overview

Our 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 theater setting, where they learn about the yellow-eyed penguin and our conservation efforts to protect them.

Guests then move into our rehabilitation center (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.

Product Description

Please note, that it is important that guests feel physically capable of a 2k (1.25 mile) walk over uneven terrain and more than 100 steps, which may be experienced within our reserve. If individuals are claustrophobic, please note that portions of the tour may pass through a trench system (which is narrow at times) and opens into dug out viewing hides which allow for observing wildlife at eye level. Your guide will determine the best area to visit during the tour to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities.

Departure Times

10.15am through to 6.15pm in the summer 

3.45pm departures in the winter 

Duration

90 Minutes long 

What To Bring

Hiking boots and wet weather gear is recommended along with Binoculars.

Company Info

THE OLDEST PRIVATE ECO TOURISM BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND

The OPERA – Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance – is a private eco reserve focused on conservation, reforestation, rehabilitation, and education. The operation was originally founded as Penguin Place in 1985 making it the oldest private ecotourism operation in New Zealand.

Expanding beyond the original focus on just the yellow eyed penguin (hoiho), The OPERA is focused on the conservation of all native species living on the property. As part of our work, efforts are underway to develop a 100-year plan which will oversee the restoration of land, that was previously cleared for farming, back to a lush forest teaming with native New Zealand life.

When the operation was originally established, the Yellow Eyed Penguins were struggling with devastating loss of their natural habitat of coastal forest, which has been cleared in large areas for farming and forestry. Additionally, they were suffering from increased predation and disturbance since the arrival of humans and the introduced pests that we have brought with us. The reserve was established on dunes and coastal areas of the family’s working sheep farm where Yellow Eyed Penguins were already breeding. Habitat restoration and predator control work was immediately started to give the penguins a better chance of survival. Later, nest boxes were added to provide shelter, shade, and privacy that penguins require for successful breeding. These nesting boxes also minimize the risk of predation, with three solid walls and only one entry, providing an excellent option for penguins while the lengthy process of natural habitat restoration takes place.