Very informative, educative. Brilliant amenities. Important to book at busy periods when the birds are actually around, so check first if you are only around for a few days. Not to be missed.
The Royal Albatross Centre, Dunedin
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The Royal Albatross Centre
Taiaroa Head | Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
+64 3 478-0499
22 visitor photos
Ranked #14 of 31 attractions in Dunedin
130 Reviews
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Activities: Viewing wildlife
Owner description:
Taiaroa Head is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. To view...
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Owner description:
Taiaroa Head is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. To view this majestic seabird flying at speeds up to 120kph is an exhilarating sight. Experience it for yourself by taking a guided tour through the Nature Reserve into the viewing Observatory.The 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 birdlife. 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 owned 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 iconic wildlife attraction.
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Worcester, United Kingdom
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Hong Kong
Senior Contributor
Definitely worth a visit, very well done. Remember to take a scarf and gloves as it can be very windy and cool out on the Peninsula. Great having the cafe on site.
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Australia
Contributor
I was charged $50 to walk up a hill and look at 3 stationary birds with their heads stuck in the ground and was amazed by the fact that the tour guide managed to waffle on about nothing as we all twiddled our thumbs for 15 minutes.. I was honestly wondering if I was in a spoof TVshow. Fail.
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Perth, Australia
Senior Contributor
because of the time of year we saw baby albatross on their nests (OMG SO CUTE !!) we did however luck out and as we where leaving from the Forts tour we saw an adult returning to feed its young
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singapour, Singapour
Senior Contributor
The royal Albatros centre is at the far end of the peninsula. We took a guide to see albatros. It was very interesting and instructive. 4 baby albatros were in their nest. They are impressive for few month old. Unfortunately, we didn't see albatros parents but the guide gave very good explanations about they life and behaviors.
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Sheffield, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
A windy day so we were well rewarded with several birds flying over the hide. Interesting talk and tour (we went on the cheapest one) - well recommended
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Shanghai, China
Senior Reviewer
It is a little bit regret that I only see three baby Albatrosses. I think it will be much better if visit at Spring and will see more wildlife.
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Tucson, Arizona
Senior Contributor
We learned a lot about these amazing birds but the admission fee is steep. The walk out to the nesting area is tough on some folks and it was hard to hear the guides at times. The cafe had great coffee and pastries.
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UK
Senior Contributor
We spent an afternoon here as part of our tour and it was great fun. We had a guide to show us to the viewing area, and we were lucky enough to see a few young albatross just nestled down in the grass. We saw one adult in the distance off the cliffs, but unfortunately they didn't come in to...
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Waipukurau
Contributor
great information centre, and guides. Appealed to kids and adults alike in our group. A bit of a walk up a path to the viewing platform. Plenty of time given to view birds. Binoculars provided at the viewing platform, along with cameras on nests not able to be seen from the platform.
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