Great Organization and purpose but not great for most visitors!…read more This was one of our first tourist stops on our two week visit. As a family we appreciated the efforts of the family to guide and protect the animals and all of the hard work they have put into their animal hospital, the blinds and tunnels they built to get to the animal habitats without disturbing the animals, and their passion and dedication. However, from the visitor perspective, it was a hard and long hike to get to the blinds where you may see a penguin and we spent two hours there. The hike back up to the bus was very hard on the older people in the group - several elderly people struggled to get back up the hill. We did see one penguin that rested near the top blind (before the hike) and that was it. There were also three penguins in the parking lot area hospital (was kinda sad). If I were looking for an adventure, I would go to Natures Wonders, down the road (more expensive but better sights), and maybe stop by here for the conservation presentation and the hospital visit - skip the walk unless you are in shape, join a late day tour, and have a lot of patience.

I love that this area is so dedicated to wildlife conservation. While we didn't see as many…read morepenguins as I had hoped, the tour was still informational & for a good cause If you're a student there is a small discount on admission

We have had some wild weather during our stay in New Zealand, and this time it worked in our favor…read more Albatross like windy days to fly on the currents. They don't flap their wings much. We had a perfect day for flying and we saw many albatross at the observation deck. The tour starts with a short video and guide led discussion. You then walk to the observation deck to see albatross in the wild. They provide binoculars to enhance your viewing. We saw birds sitting on their nexts, preening each other, and flying. It was a great show. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the albatross and many other birds within our view. I'm so glad we were able to go to this tour. I learned so much and the birds were amazing to see in the wild showing us their natural behaviors.

Fort Taiaroa here has hidden tunnels & a 1886 Armstrong Hidden Gun. Besides a military history…read morehere it's the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross. There is a gallery, gift shop & cafe here. Many different tours are offered and a virtual :45 tour from their website. The albatross' are nesting on the grass now. They arrive in September, mate, lay eggs, incubate, have hatchlings & then guard them for a year. The albatross have a 9 Ft wing span & they gently lift off cliffs & glide not flap. They can live to 60 yrs & mate for life. The females go out further for food & are getting caught in fishing nets. There is a female shortage & there are same sex pairs now. The center was fascinating, unfortunately we didn't see any albatross, a lot of seagulls. Thought we saw some gem a distance near the lighthouse.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary is a truly beautiful biodiversity sanctuary located just outside of Dunedin,…read morewhere you will have the opportunity to experience many of New Zealand's unique native bird species in a protected setting. During our visit, we were lucky to spot several incredible species, including the Takahe, Kaka, and Tui. They currently have a family of 6 Takahe near one of the small ponds. We spent quite a while sitting quietly on a nearby bench, just watching them go about their day. There are feeding stations scattered throughout the sanctuary as well and these make excellent spots to observe birds like the kākā and tūī up close. The walking trails are well-marked, with many sections being relatively well paved, making it quite accessible as well. Overall, this is definitely a must-visit for anyone interested in New Zealand's remarkable wildlife!

Orokonui IS worth the trip and the entrance fee. This is a very special slice of wild New Zealand…read more Trails are impeccable, from wheelchair/pram accessible to slightly more athletic options, it's full of stunning wildlife and educational reading. Views are also spectacular!

Great place to visit for a brisk hike, the pano views of the rugged coastline, and the namesake…read moretunnel. The hike can be a strenuous one coming back up as it is steep incline on a dirt path, so allow an hour to fully do the hike down, enjoy, and the hike back up. The "tunnel" where the stairs take you down to the actual beach can be slippery when it rains and you have to climb over several large rocks to get to the beach from the end of the tunnel, which can be a bit perilous, especially in the rain. You do traverse private property, so there are signs everywhere stating to not stray from the marked trail. It is a pretty easy place to find via GPS and there is not really designated parking, so I just pulled up along a fence in front of the entrance and did not have any problems.

Absolutely beautiful place to take a walk! The path down was steep, so have good traction on your…read moreshoes, but it's an easy enough walk. Long, but easy - fine to do with kids. The views of the beach and the cliffs are stunning.

Thinking that Zorb soccer was going to be painful was not an accurate at all. Donning the Zorb…read more ball, I felt very safe and insulated. I have back issues but my neck and head were very well supported. The football element of the game pretty much flew out the window and it turned into mate checking mate. It is a great way to spend a half hour to an hour on a Saturday. It did test my fitness, but there were lots of rests during the game to catch my breath. It is setup very well and I will be defiantly going back.

I found these guys online during my trip to New Zealand. We met at a restaurant during our initial…read moremeeting to discuss what kind of experience that I wanted to have. Mind you, I had zero experience with firearms and zero experinece hunting before coming to New Zealand. I've lived in cities and suburbs my entire life. After 2 outings with these guys, I had learned how the basics of using a I learned how to handle a rifle, took down a couple wild goats, and a red deer. Sheldon is the owner of the business and really a good hunting guide and firearms instructor. He is very detail oriented and meticulous about safety, encountering animals in the wild, butchering animals, and even taking high resolution photos of you with the animal after the kill! If I go back to New Zealand, I look forward to more trips with Sheldon and his crew!

Can you imagine sipping a coffee, slurping an ice cream, casually strolling and basking under the…read moresun on this beach? Ya, that's life in NZ. One of the most beautiful places to be in New Zealand, beautiful beach and scenery, as well as being easily accessible and close to a great cafe with great coffee, cakes, muffins, ice cream. What more can I say? I miss NZ and I miss St Clair.

This is a lovely little strip of shops, cafes, and restaurants facing a powerful coastline of…read morerideable waves that are empty and waiting for the next lineup of surfers. Take a walk along the esplanade, up the cliff and bask in the sweeping views of Dunedin and the bay.