Dunedin & Otago Peninsula: Penguin Reserve & Highcliff Road

Dunedin City, Penguin Reserve & Peninsula Scenery in One Morning

You get Dunedin's main sights, the exclusive Highcliff Road route through the Otago Peninsula, and a guided walk into the penguin reserve where you might see Yellow-eyed Penguins, Little Blue Penguins, and fur seals. Small groups mean no long waits and a guide who has time for your questions. Pickup from Port Chalmers is included, and the whole tour fits into a morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dunedin city and Otago Peninsula tour

• Stop at Baldwin Street
• Stroll upper botanic garden
• Photo stops at Otago Peninsula
• Guided tour at Penguin Place
• Visit Dunedin Railway Station

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Baldwin Street 10m
2. Penguin Place Entry included 1h 30m
3. Dunedin Railway Station 10m

What’s included

• Your morning includes hotel or port pickup from Port Chalmers, a short stop at Baldwin Street (the world's steepest street), a stroll through the upper Botanic Garden with bird aviaries, scenic photo stops along Highcliff Road on the Otago Peninsula, entry to the Penguin Place reserve, and a guided 1.5-hour walk through the Yellow-eyed Penguin habitat where you'll observe Little Blue Penguins, New Zealand fur seals, and possibly sea lions.
• GST is included.
• Lunch and personal expenses are not.

Times

• Monday 09:30 10:30 12:00
• Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 09:30
• Wednesday 09:30 10:00
• Thursday 09:00 09:30 12:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 10

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 2 with pickup ›

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (9 and older) · Child (under 9)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby Not recommended with back problems

Operated by Fantail Tours Limited

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

A hand steadies on the bus rail as it tilts around a bend too sharp for the bigger coaches. That's Highcliff Road, and it's the reason this tour stays small. The route winds through the Otago Peninsula with views that larger groups never reach, and you notice it immediately: no queue to board, no shuffling down the aisle, just twelve people max and a driver who knows every turn. Starting from Port Chalmers, the morning opens with Baldwin Street, the world's steepest street, a quick stop to feel the angle under your feet before moving on.

The Botanic Garden comes next, a stroll through upper grounds where bird aviaries sit among native plants, and then the road opens up: photo stops along the peninsula where the landscape does most of the talking. You're moving toward the Penguin Place reserve for the main event: a guided 1.5-hour walk through the Yellow-eyed Penguin habitat. Your guide walks you through what lives here. Little Blue Penguins nest in burrows you'd miss on your own, New Zealand fur seals haul out on the rocks below, and if the day cooperates, Yellow-eyed Penguins appear at dusk. Nature decides what shows up, so each visit is different: some days you see them, some days you don't, and the guide is honest about that.

The Dunedin Railway Station, one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand, anchors the final stop: a chance to see the architecture before heading back. The whole thing runs as a small-group experience, which means the guide can adjust the pace and answer questions without rushing thirty people through each spot. You're walking up and down hills on the peninsula, so fitness matters (plan for about an hour of steady walking), but that's what keeps the groups manageable and the experience from feeling like a production line.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 9).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I definitely see at the penguin reserve?

Little Blue Penguins and New Zealand fur seals are reliably present. Yellow-eyed Penguins and sea lions appear depending on the day and conditions. The guide cannot guarantee them, but the reserve is set up to maximize your chances.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour involves walking up and down hills for up to an hour on the peninsula. You need at least moderate fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

How many people are on the tour?

Small groups, maximum twelve people. This keeps the experience personalized and allows the bus to use Highcliff Road, which larger coaches cannot navigate.

What's included in the price?

Pickup from Port Chalmers, all stops at Dunedin highlights, entry to the penguin reserve, the 1.5-hour guided walk, and GST. Lunch is not included.

Can I bring a baby or infant?

Specialized infant seats are available on request. Check with the operator when booking if you need one.

Is public transport available if I don't want the tour pickup?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Port Chalmers, though the tour pickup is included in the price.

What if the weather is bad or I don't see penguins?

Wildlife viewing varies day to day: nature decides what appears. The reserve is set up to give you the best chance, but sightings are never guaranteed. The tour runs in most weather conditions.