Tour Information
The Royal Albatross Centre is open daily all year except Christmas Day. Tours from 9am to dusk in summer and generally from 10am to 4pm in winter except on Tuesdays when the first tour is at 10.30am.
Allow half a day for the total experience - an hour's drive each way from Dunedin and two hours at Unique Taiaroa.
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.
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.
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.
Ultimate Otago Wildlife Experience
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.
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.
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 $90 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
To Book: Call 03 478 0499 or call free within New Zealand 0800 528 767 and quote "RAC-Nat" or email
The Royal Albatross Centre is open daily all year except Christmas Day. Tours from 9am to dusk in summer and generally from 10am to 4pm in winter except on Tuesdays when the first tour is at 10.30am.
Allow half a day for the total experience - an hour's drive each way from Dunedin and two hours at Unique Taiaroa.
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.
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.
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.
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 $90 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
To Book: Call 03 478 0499 or call free within New Zealand 0800 528 767 and quote "RAC-Nat" or email
» Unique Taiaroa Tour
» Albatross Tour
» Ultimate Otago Wildlife Experience
» Fort Taiaroa Tour
» Two of the Best
Bookings
Prior bookings are essential - don't miss out on this amazing experience. Click here to reserve your place at the Albatross Centre or call toll free within NZ 0800 528 767 or
+64 3 478 0499
If you would like to book a group of 6 or more please contact us direct by calling +64 3 478 0499 or free within NZ 0800 528 767 or email reservations@albatross.org.nz
Please note - if you are unable to get the tour time that you would like through the online booking system - just contact us direct and we will see what we can do for you! Colony viewing from the observatory from the 24th November until the 16th September each year.
During the period from 17 September to 23 November each year, we offer an alternative tour, Taiaroa Experience. This is to reduce disturbance while the new season's birds return and renew their pair bonds. The Royal Albatross and Unique Taiaroa tours are unavailable over this period.
Click here to download tour information & rates.
