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Dunedin - Coastal Otago - Oamaru Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
Learn about the rarest penguin in the world, the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) and experience the best possibility to view one of these endangered birds.
Learn about the rarest penguin in the world, the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) and experience the best possibility to view one of these endangered birds.
Highlights
- Experience The Magic of The Otago Peninsula At Night
- See The Yellow Eyed Penguins Return To Their Nests
- Spot Seals, Sea Lions and Sea Birds
- Hear About The Environment From Expert Passionate Guides
Our Twilight at The OPERA tour provides a unique opportunity to experience our nature reserve at sunset. Like our penguin tours during the day, this tour offers the most exclusive opportunity in New Zealand to view the endangered, hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins), in their natural habitat.
We will begin with an overview of the work we are doing to help save the hoiho and care for all living species at The OPERA. Guests will then be guided through our reserve which is home to numerous native plant and wildlife species including the hoiho and kororā (little penguins), fur seals, sea lions, and several species of sea and forest birds. Finally, when penguins are in our care, guests will visit our Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (if birds are in our care), where they can see these rare birds up close.
Itinerary
- Arrive at the center 15 minutes prior to departure
- Learn about the yellow eyed penguins and the conservation efforts in the theatre area
- View the rehabilitation area and see the penguins up close
- Take a short ride coach ride to the nature reserve
- Embark on a 2km nature walk through the reserve
Wed 7 Oct
Thu 8 Oct
Fri 9 Oct
Sat 10 Oct
Sun 11 Oct
Mon 12 Oct
Tue 13 Oct
Wed 14 Oct
Thu 15 Oct
Fri 16 Oct
Sat 17 Oct
Sun 18 Oct
Mon 19 Oct
Tue 20 Oct
- Adult$65.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$25.00
- Adult$65.00
- Child$25.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Twilight in July
rebeccab41 from
NZ
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 7 authenticated Bookme reviews
Sharon Leitch from New Zealand wrote on 06 September 2026
Great service to wildlife
Very interesting tour and a good insight into the challenges facing the yellow-eyed penguins
Ellie Murphy from United Kingdom wrote on 19 July 2026
Definitely worth it - amazing experience!
Amazing experience to see the OPERA reserve and learn about the wildlife they are supporting. Of course you can’t guarantee to see wildlife but our guide was excellent and so knowledgable. We were so lucky to see two yellow eyed penguins as well as fur seals and a petrel! The best part is that by joining the tour you are supporting the work taking place - I would recommend this to anyone.
rebeccab41 from New Zealand wrote on 16 July 2026
Twilight in July
Great tour, the guide and driver were informative and entertaining. Great family outting
Matt Herbert from Australia wrote on 30 June 2026
Great tour, exceptional tour guide
Great experience with our guide Emma. She was enthusiastic, patient and very kind with our very energetic 6yr old Son. She was extremely knowledgeable and made the entire tour an experience to remember. 100% would recommend
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dwils from New Zealand wrote on 20 September 2026
Excellent chance to see hoiho in the wild!
My partner and I did the twilight tour in spring and did not leave disappointed. Our guide Connor was extremely knowledgeable, presented the information at the perfect pace and answered our questions patiently. The experience itself on the property of The OPERA was outstanding, with a chance to learn about the land over the centuries, before setting foot on one of the trails and watching the wildlife do its thing. Getting to watch a hoiho yellow-eyed penguin land on the rocks, gather some bits for its nest and chase a pūkeko off was the perfect finale to our experience. Highly recommend this experience!