Royal Albatross Centre, Dunedin (2024) - Images, Timings

ROYAL ALBATROSS CENTRE, DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND, Dunedin Overview

Nestled inside the Taiaroa Head, the Royal Albatross Centre is a wildlife observatory that offers a visual realm of Dunedin’s most natural flora and fauna, which is unique because of its diversity. The name obviously has an etymological derivation from the bird Albatross, which has a fascinating story that the guide will brief you through on your visit.

The geographical features of the Otago Peninsula and the Taiaroa Head are superbly distinct and compel you to seek out its natural beauty and richness. The center is a short walk from the observatory, where you can treat yourself to the very live visuals of seabirds flocking around. In addition, it has curated tours specific to the various species it is known for to make your experience and guide you through the richness of the fauna of Dunedin. You may also visit the McMillan Gallery and learn about the history and wildlife of the area. You can grab a bite from the Royal Albatross cafe and pick a souvenir for yourself or your loved ones from its gift shop.

Wildlife and Conservation

The Centre is not just a tourist attraction as an observatory, it also has significant reach in conserving the indigenous and local wildlife of which New Zealand is famous for. It has preserved the natural attractions of the area, protecting its flora and fauna.

It has a charitable trust associated with it from the tourism that goes to the development of new education programs that is solely dedicated to acknowledging people about the unique existing wildlife that Dunedin boasts of and ways to preserve it.

It is also home to the world’s sole Royal Albatross breeding colony. The other species of wildlife found here are:

Red-billed gulls
Spotted shags
Otago shag
Royal Spoonbills
Southern fur seals

Tours and Prices

ALBATROSS TOURS- The prime fragment of the rich wildlife of Dunedin, Albatross has a separate dedicated viewing tour of the exotic bird, there are about 250 Albatross birds found residing within the terrains and they make for a great view and bird watching the tour.

Albatross Tours prices:
Adult - NZD 52
Child - NZD 15
Family - NZD 114 (2 adults and up to 3 children)

BLUE PENGUIN TOUR- A natural habitat to the world’s smallest penguins, Korora, Royal Albatross Centre offers you an exclusive viewing tour for those cute little animals scurrying their ways and bugging their heads around the entire Otago Peninsula. The experienced tour guide will let you through their history and any other form of wildlife that you may come across the Otago Peninsula.

Blue Penguin Tour prices:
Adult – NZD 35
Children - NZD10
Families – NZD 80 (2 adults, up to 3 children)

UNIQUE ALBATROSS TIKI TOUR- The tour takes you through the panoramic landscape of the lush Otago Peninsula. This package is basically a landscape tour that also gives you separate opportunity to see the Albatross birds the landscape is famous for. A considerable chunk of the sale of the tickets for this particular tour is contributed for the preservation of the Royal Albatross species.

Unique Albatross Tiki Tour Prices:
Adult – NZD 122
Child – NZD 80 (5 – 17 years)
Infant – NZD 60 (4 and under)

LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN TIKI TOUR- Little Blue Penguin Tiki Tour Prices: This is a similar landscape tour package that offers you to watch the tiny, little penguins, Korora on a very personal space alongside giving taking you through the Otago Peninsula and Taorari Head.

Little Blue Penguin Tiki tour prices:
Adult – NZD 95
Children – NZD 70 (5 – 17 years)
Infant – NZD 60 (4 and under)