The ultimate tour – a 90 minute guided tour combining the Albatross Classic with the Fort Taiaroa to include the human history of Pukekura / Taiaroa Head.

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From NZ$65

1 hour
All ages
Albatross Tours

A 60 minute fully guided tour; presentation on the albatross breeding cycle and short film, followed by a short walk up the hill for 30 minutes of viewing the nesting albatross from our exclusive glassed observatory.

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From NZ$35

30 minutes
All ages
History Tours

Fort Taiaroa

A guided tour walking through underground Fort Taiaroa, built on the headland to counter the potential threat of a Russian invasion in the late 1880s and later used for training and defence during WWI and WWII.

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From NZ$300

1 hour
All ages
Albatross Tours

Private Albatross Tour

Wish to learn more about the magnificent Northern Royals in your own bubble? Book our 60 minute fully Private Albatross Tour with a dedicated expert albatross guide.

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From NZ$340

1.5 hours
All ages
Albatross Tours

Private Unique Tour

Wish to learn more about the magnificent Northern Royals and Fort Taiaroa in your own bubble? Book our 90 minute fully Private Unique Taiaroa Tour with a dedicated expert guide.

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From NZ$122

2 hours
All ages
Combo Tours

Double Albatross Combo

Drive yourself along the beautiful & scenic roads of the Otago Peninsula to combine a tour at the Royal Albatross Centre with a wildlife cruise aboard the Monarch to see Taiaroa Head from both land and sea.

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From NZ$168

3.5 hours
All ages
Combo Tours

Triple Crown Combo

A Triple Combo – see the world’s only mainland colony of Royal Albatross on a guided tour at the Albatross Centre, then join a wildlife cruise aboard the Monarch, and finish at The OPERA (formerly Penguin Place) with a guided tour to see the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin.

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ROADWORKS EN ROUTE TO ROYAL ALBATROSS CENTRE

Roadworks are taking place at a portion of Harington Point Road after the Portobello township for repairs of a slip.

16 April to 12 June 2026 – Automated traffic lights in place, with potential delays of up to 30 minutes from 9am to 3pm each weekday.

Please allocate extra time in your travel plans to accommodate these potential delays. We recommend allocating at least an 1 hour and 15 minutes for the one way journey from Dunedin to Royal Albatross Centre.

Click here or refer to map for location of roadworks.

VISIT THE WORLD'S ONLY MAINLAND ALBATROSS COLONY

Watch Dunedin’s famous Royals from our exclusive viewing observatory. Have the chance to be awed by the majestic giant of the seas with a three-metre wingspan. Learn intimate insights and view the breeding cycle of the Northern Royal Albatross / toroa. Don’t miss your chance to visit the biggest and best of New Zealand’s wildlife capital and encounter the magic of awesome albatross.

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More Information

The Royal Albatross Centre is operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust, New Zealand’s first private charitable conservation trust. A proportion of every ticket sold at the centre goes directly towards the fostering and protection of the Northern Royal Albatross.

Visit the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross in the world.
Learn fascinating insights into these majestic monarchs of the sea from our passionate and knowledgeable guides.
Explore a hidden underground tunnel system underneath the albatross colony and view the world’s only fully restored Armstrong Disappearing gun
Come into the exclusive observatory and have the chance to view these charismatic birds raising their young.
On a breezy day, you may even see them fly by with their huge 3-metre wingspan – a sight you’ll always remember.
Booking a tour is highly recommended as spaces on tour are limited!

Royal Albatross Centre – tours, gift shop, cafe and information gallery:
Open everyday from 10:15am
Closed on Christmas Day only

Booking on tour is recommended as spaces are limited!

WATCH ROYAL CAM

Watch the famous 24-hour livestreaming Royal Cam for a sneak peek into the lives of the Royal Albatross – watch the famous pair nesting this season here

Watch Royal Cam

UNIQUE AND AWESOME ALBATROSS ADVENTURES
★★★★★

Albatross experience to remember

We had a really enjoyable few hours at the Royal Albatross Centre. It was a highlight of our NZ trip. We took the Unique Taiaroa tour (combined albatross viewing and fort tour). Kate, our guide was first rate, 5 stars! She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the birdlife and the fort’s history. We may have been fortunate to visit on quite a windy day (good albatross flying conditions it seems), as we saw quite a few of the albatross soaring. With the provided binoculars we had great views. It was a real thrill to see the albatross in flight. An experience to remember.

– Simon R. | Tripadvisor

Amazing and very worthwhile experience

This was a great experience and it's so good to know that the proceeds go directly towards helping these incredible birds. We are so lucky that they nest here and that there is such a great organization around supporting them.

– Anna B. | Tripadvisor

Nesting albatross up close and personal

Throughly enjoyable visit presenting the opportunity to see these magnificent birds nesting"up close and personal", as well as the Red-billed gulls. The guide was knowledgeable and provided good commentary throughout. Centre staff warm and welcoming. Highly recommended.

– Mike M. | Tripadvisor

Must do! Amazing birds and experience!!

This was such a cool experience! You learn about these magnificent creatures and then climb a short paved hill to an indoor viewing area. We loved seeing these big birds glide through the air and socialize with each other. It gave us an appreciation for the wildlife and environment here. A very special, worthwhile experience. The guide’s passion and understanding of these birds was contagious.

– Cassandra S. | Tripadvisor

Albratross experience

Awesome time viewing these birds. Saw a few sitting nesting and a few soaring in the wind. The tour started with an small talk from our very knowledgeable guide. Then a steep hike to see these amazing birds. A must do for the young and old

– Izzy G. | Tripadvisor

Excellent visit to see beautiful birds

We enjoyed our visit immensely, both to see the albatross and also to tour Fort Taiaroa. Zach our guide was very knowledgeable and informative, both about the birds and also the fascinating history of the fort. All in all a superb 90 minutes, one of the highlights of our visit to New Zealand. We also envied lunch in the café, very good soup.

– John R. | Tripadvisor

ROYAL ALBATROSS CENTRE

Wildlife Tours in Dunedin, NZ