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In October 2019 we made a late afternoon stop on the Otago Peninsula at a sanctuary. Penguin Place is a private wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the survival of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin. The nature conservation project is financed with guided tours through the reserve. Responsibilities include penguin habitat restoration, predator control, research programs, and rehabilitation for sick, starving, or wounded penguins. On the vegetated slopes of a secluded bay there are numerous sheltered hiding places offered to the rare yellow-eyed penguins. This means that the shy animals can come here undisturbed every year, lay their eggs, breed and raise their offspring. Here you can learn a lot about penguins and their protection in guided groups under expert guidance. A system of ditches and observation hiding places has been created for visitors to observe and photograph the penguins from there. This way you can get very close to the wild animals without disturbing them. Our approximately three-hour tour of the reserve began with a detailed lecture and subsequent tour of the reserve. It was an experience for animal lovers.
Fantastic time with a passionate, knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend this trip to anyone. We saw German owls, fur seals, yellow eye penguins, sea lions and native ducks. Walked (occasionally ran) through the trenches to watch a yellow eye walk up the dunes. If your in dunedin and on the peninsula then a great day trip would be the penguins, the albatross and larnarch castle.
My wife and I visited 'Penguin Place' on the Otago Peninsula today 8 January 2022. We were very fortunate to have George as our tour guide. George is a very enthusiastic person, who is very informed, very able to impart his knowledge and makes sure visitors have the best experience possible. During our visit we witnessed a yellow eyed penguin come out of the sea, obviously with a belly full of fish ! It 'waddled' it's way approx several hundred metres up to a height of approx 70 metres to its mate, who was waiting patiently for its supper. During its travel it passed within 5 metres of us ! It was an experience we will never forget We highly recommend George and Penguin Place. Dennis & Alison Dickinson - Palmerston North ...
Fantastic wildlife tour. Something different. For once mankind has left the wildlife to be on their own in their habitat and we have to go through trenches and literally be invisible to see them. Beautiful views. We were lucky to see the yellow eyed penguin and some seals in their natural habitat. Great staff who were knowledgeable and very good value for money.
Penguin Place was our top favourite out of everything we did in Dunedin! Everything was amazing about it! Our guide was so kind and let us stay over time a bit to see another cool area quickly. We weren't promised to see any penguins as they don't control when they come back from sea but we saw around 7! We got to see two of them coming back from the sea and walking down the beach. It was so so cool. Also we saw a penguin looking after an egg in one of the mini houses. Also all the money we paid goes towards the centre and looking after the penguins. If I could I would rate this place 10/5! Definitely coming back and bringing people with me!