Tour Information
The Royal Albatross Centre is open daily all year except Christmas Day. As the daylight hours reduce, the Albatross Centre has changed its opening hours accordingly. Please take note of our new opening hours listed below.

Centre Opening Hours
9.30am-5.00pm, tours run every hour 10am-4pm (10.30am on Tuesdays)

Visitors to the Royal Albatross Centre can view the interpretative wildlife displays, learn of the historical use of the area and experience the famous Unique Taiaroa guided tours. A proportion of every ticket sold at the Royal Albatross Centre goes directly towards the fostering and protection of the Northern Royal Albatross.

Witness the fascinating social and family life of the breeding colony, devoted parents guarding their chicks; adolescents posturing and displaying as only juveniles can, courtship proceedings, nest building and interplay.... enjoy the privilege of viewing these majestic seabirds in their natural environment.

50% discount for supergold card holders
Join a 1 hour Taiaroa Experience tour between Monday 27th September and Friday 1st October, present your supergold card to get this great deal. Tour includes a talk & video followed by a walk through the historical underground Armstrong fortifications.

Reservations essential – contact us direct by calling +64 3 478 0499 or free within NZ 0800 528 767 or email reservations@albatross.org.nz

Special Promotion - Conservation Week
12-19 September 2010

Get in quick for half price tours! Unique Taiaroa, Albatross, Fort Taiaroa and Taiaroa Experience.

Reservations essential – contact us direct by calling +64 3 478 0499 or free within NZ 0800 528 767 or email reservations@albatross.org.nz

The Richdale Observatory is unavailable for viewing from the 17 September - 23 November each year. This is to reduce disturbance at this sensitive time when the new season parents arrive, re-establish their pair bonds and lay their eggs.
 
During this period, the Albatross Centre will still be OPEN. The Royal Albatross and Unique Taiaroa tours are unavailable, instead we offer the TAIAROA EXPERIENCE TOUR (75mins)

A new season will commence on 24th November, with the Richdale Observatory once again available for guided tours.

Taiaroa Experience Tour - 75 minutes

This tour Iincludes an introductory talk and short film about the albatross breeding cycle, then a guided tour through the underground tunnels of Fort Taiaroa to see the Armstrong Disappearing Gun.

Adult $25 Child $12 Family $62

Reservations essential – contact us direct by calling +64 3 478 0499 or free within NZ 0800 528 767 or email reservations@albatross.org.nz
 

Unique Taiaroa Tour - 90 minutes

Combines the Royal Albatross and Fort Taiaroa Tours.

This combination tour is a rewarding experience. This guided tour takes 90 minutes and includes the introductory "Attenborough" video, albatross breeding cycle information, Colony viewing from the Richdale Observatory then through the tunnels beneath the colony to Fort Taiaroa and the 1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun.

Prices valid until September 2010
Adult $45 • Child $22.50 • Family $112.50

To book a group of 6 or more please phone or email us direct rather than booking online.

Albatross Tour - 60 minutes

Spectacular Albatross viewing from the Richdale Observatory including the introductory "Attenborough" video and albatross breeding cycle information.

Prices valid until September 2010
Adult $40 • Child $20 • Family $100

To book a group of 6 or more please phone or email us direct rather than booking online.




Fort Taiaroa Tour - 30 minutes

The Fort Taiaroa guided tour takes you back into New Zealand's colonial past. It covers the Maori and European occupation of the headland with a visit to 'Fort Taiaroa,' underground fortifications beneath the Albatross Colony. Walk through the underground tunnels to the 1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun that is still in working order. This was established to counter the anticipated threat of invasion from Tsarist Russia.

Prices valid until September 2010
Adult $20 • Child $10 • Family $50

To book a group of 6 or more please phone or email us direct rather than booking online.

Two of the Best - 120 minutes

The Royal Albatross Centre and Natures Wonders Naturally have combined their premium tours to showcase over 2 hours of unique wildlife in their natural environment only $80 per person.

Features are:
• Royal Albatross
• Yellow-eyed penguins
• Blue penguins
• New Zealand fur seals
• Aquatic native birdlife
• Travel by 8-wheeler all-terrain argo

Ultimate Otago Wildlife Experience
- Half Day, Transport Included

Join the Elm Wildlife & Royal Albatross Centre combo 'small group' tour that departs from Dunedin city in the mid-afternoon for the Otago Peninsula wildlife 'hotspots'. The tour combines tourism and conservation and provides unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife. Our knowledgeable guides will take you to the best possible places for viewing of Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and Royal Albatross. A further 25-30 other estuarine and marine bird species are seen during the experience. Close up viewing from beach locations and strategically placed observation hides is guaranteed.

Your tour guide will deliver you to the Royal Albatross centre to join the one hour tour, before rejoining with your Elm Wildlife tour guide for the remainder of our half day tour. You will require reasonable fitness, warm clothes and good walking shoes for this tour.

Adult $129 • Child/Student $119 • Under 3 are free
Pick-up and return is from Central Dunedin.
To Book: Call +64 3 478-0499 or callfree within NZ 0800 528 767 or email reservations@albatross.org.nz.