Location: Dunedin
Top Things to do in Dunedin
The 7 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Dunedin, South Island
Rare yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and the world's only mainland albatross colony share residence in Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city. When you're not watching wildlife, this South Island Otago Coast town also boasts impressive historic architecture from its days as a gold-rush mecca. Visit the 1906 Flemish Renaissance railway station or the country's largest center of higher learning, which resembles Glasgow University, thanks to the area's early Scottish settlers.
Restaurants in Dunedin
1. Allans Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 422iana - Dunedin, New Zealand
This is Dunedin's hidden gem! Off the tourist route, but you are likely to see sea lions in this area. Walk all the way down the beach to the estuary. You can also see penguins are the right time. Please read the signs and don't get close to these animals. So many tourists get right next to them and they are big animals and if provoked could cause damage.
2. Penguin Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 939 reviews
Penguin Place is a private conservation effort to help save the world's most endangered penguin, the Yellow Eyed Penguin. Visitors are taken on guided walking tours through a unique system of trenches and hides to view the penguins undisturbed at close range. Penguin Place is funded 100% by the support of our visitors, this funding enables habitat restoration, predator control, a research programme and on-site rehabilitation for sick, starving and wounded penguins. It is our hope that through our efforts, the future of this rare and wonderful penguin will be assured.
Reviewed By fairrosaline - Nairobi, Kenya
This is a great chance to visit and learn about the world’s most endangered penguin while supporting their hospital and habitat. You’ll get to see the penguins very close up in the hospital area and then see a few in their natural habitat on the gorgeous coast of Otago Peninsula. So cute! We also saw seals and very cool native birds, as well as a couple little blue penguins in nesting boxes. There’s a bit of walking and a few inclines on the hills- elderly folks in our group did not have issues, but the last part of the tour is not wheel chair friendly. You can self drive to this place easily via the scenic peninsula or take a wildlife tour or cruise that includes it.
3. Otago Peninsula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,056 reviews
The Otago Peninsula is a long, hilly indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin, New Zealand. Volcanic in origin, it forms one wall of the eroded valley that now forms Otago Harbour. The peninsula lies south-east of Otago Harbour and runs parallel to the mainland for 20 km, with a maximum width of 9 km. It is joined to the mainland at the south-west end by a narrow isthmus about 1.5 km wide.
Reviewed By kiwikeen2020 - Gold Coast, Australia
We did a bus tour visiting sights around Otago Peninsula - Larnach Castle, Sandfly bay, Royal Albatross colony and Penguin Place and Penguin cafe for lunch - we all had a lovely time and beautiful sunny day which made it even better.
4. The Royal Albatross Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,053 reviews
The only chance to see... the world's only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Colony. A unique experience to access the nature reserve to see giant albatross court, mate, raise their chicks and show off their three metre wingspans. Taiaroa Head/Pukekura is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. Experience it for yourself by taking a guided tour through the Nature Reserve into the viewing Observatory. The 2012 latest Lonely Planet publication "1000 Ultimate Sights" features the Royal Albatross Centre alongside the Taj Mahal and Grand Canyon. They say of us: Here at one of New Zealand's hottest attractions the draw card is the bird life. Taiaroa Head is the site of the world's only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can observe the spectacle of the albatrosses with wingspans of up to 3m coming in to land like a succession of 747s. The Royal Albatross Centre is located on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, about a 45 minute drive from Dunedin. We are operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust, a charitable trust formed in 1967 for the protection of the local natural environment. The Nature Reserve on Taiaroa Head is managed by the Department of Conservation. Taiaroa Head is also famous in New Zealand history. From a small Maori camp in the 1300s to a fortified pa where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840; from a wooden flagstaff to 1864 lighthouse to radar entrance for Otago Harbour; from an 1880s underground fortress to a large defence base in WWII. Taiaroa Head is today a Nature Reserve and an iconic wildlife attraction.
Reviewed By FourTravel2013 - Auckland, New Zealand
We did the Unique Taiaroa tour which allowed plenty of time to view the albatross chicks and also a couple of the adult birds flying close by in the strong wind. James was our knowledgeable guide who was informative and happy to answer any questions. The history of the 1889 Armstrong Disappearing Gun and underground tunnels was interesting. A great way to spend a couple of hours even if it’s raining.
5. Orokonui Ecosanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Our 307 hectare ecosanctuary is the only area of native forest in mainland South Island where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests. It is home to some of New Zealand's most fascinating and rare forest wildlife such as Takahē, Kākā, Tūī, Kererū, Tuatara and much more. Our visitor's centre is home to a lovely cafeteria serving classic Kiwi food and coffee roasted on site. Sit by our large fireplace as you enjoy your meal! We are also proud to host weddings both within the ecosanctuary and the visitor's centre! Please get in touch if you are planning your special day!
Reviewed By Rarotonga15 - Dunedin, New Zealand
As I've said in a Google review as well, we had our twin grandsons birthday at the Eco Sanctuary at the weekend, and wow what an awesome place for a kids birthday party. The boys and their friends had a blast, Sam was so good with the bunch of 6 year olds!!! They learnt a lot and had fun doing it???? we will definitely put the word out a out how awesome this place is and we will be back to take it all in again in the near future. Thanks guys, you are all great !! Karen and Barry
6. Ross Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By _kate_hillerton - Cambridge, New Zealand
This was a beautiful and peaceful walk within the city limits of Dunedin. Lovely bush, plenty of birdlife, and excellent, well-made paths allowed easy walking. Plenty of runners and joggers as well.
