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New Zealand

7

Reasons To
Visit New Zealand

  • Food & wine

    This small nation has established a name for fabulous wineries, many internationally acclaimed. Whilst most will point connoisseurs to the Marlborough region for the finest vintages, Hawkes Bay and Martinborough should not be ignored. A trip here would not be complete without trying the local 'fush 'n' chups' or traditional Maori fare either.

    Food & wine

  • Landscapes

    For a small country, New Zealand incorporates landscapes as diverse as they come. Mountains, volcanoes, beaches, lakes, fiords, valleys and caves - to the everyday traveller these remarkable sights are other-worldly. Both the North and South islands share many common features, but are also wonderfully contrasting.

    Landscapes

  • Light adventure

    It's not necessary to throw yourself off a suspended platform in order to fully experience New Zealand. Alternative options include air safaris over White Island, heli-hiking the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and wilderness cruises in Milford and Doubful Sounds.

    Light adventure

  • Maori culture

    New Zealanders are proud of their Maori roots. Maori song, dance and mythology are prevalent, towns are adorned with carvings and rooms are dressed in flax weavings. Most physical locations also have Maori names with literal translations such as Waimakariri River (Cold water river).

    Maori culture

  • Outdoors & coastal living

    The 'outdoors' perception of New Zealanders is not something consciously cultivated; with such a plentitude of mountains, beaches, fiords lakes and forests on their doorstep it is simply a way of life.

    Outdoors & coastal living

  • Self-drive

    New Zealand has wonderful roads - scenic, safe and, especially on the South Island, largely empty. They even drive on the left and some of the most scenic routes are waymarked. There are car hire stations at all of New Zealand's airports.

    Self-drive

  • Walking & trekking

    There are so many excellent hikes - or 'tramps' as the locals call them - in New Zealand that it is sometimes difficult to know which one to select. We feature several of the country's 'great walks' which can easily be incorportated into any itinerary.

    Walking & trekking

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Excursions in New Zealand: Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

The Otago Peninsula is home to some of New Zealand's rarest animals, but it is also the most accessible wildlife area on the South Island. A cruise on the peninsula allows you to view this amazing array of ocean birds and marine mammals in their natural environment.

Yellow eyed penguins, Otago Peninsula
Yellow eyed penguins, Otago PeninsulaSeal pup, Otago PeninsulaSeal pups, DunedinYellow eyed penguin, Otago PeninsulaYellow Eyed Penguin, Otago PeninsulaMonarch Cruise, Otago PeninsulaNew Zealand Fur Seals, Otago PeninsulaNew Zealand Fur Seals, Otago PeninsulaAlbatross, Otago PeninsulaRed-billed gull, Otago PeninsulaFur seal, Otago PeninsulaFur seal, Otago PeninsulaSealion, Otago PeninsulaBlue penguin, Otago Peninsula

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Cruises, Sailing & Water
  • Outdoor Activities

The Otago Peninsula is home to some of New Zealand's rarest animals, but it is also the most accessible wildlife area on the South Island. A cruise on the peninsula allows you to view this amazing array of ocean birds and marine mammals in their natural environment.

Begin by travelling up to the far end of the peninsula by coach. Spectacular Taiaroa Head is home to a huge diversity wildlife including fur seals, dolphins, blue penguins, sea lions and the majestic albatross, which is awe-inspiring when it takes to the air. The Otago Peninsula is probably the only place to see the yellow eyed penguin, the world's second rarest species, its endangered status a result of the loss of coastal habitat.

The specially designed underground walkways allow visitors to get extremely close to these quirky birds whilst not disturbing their environment, and you will take a guided tour of the reserve. You will then board the Monarch for your cruise back into Dunedin, looking out for the birds and marine mammals as you go.

As an operator in such an important area of conservation, Monarch Wildlife Cruises have demonstrated their commitment to ongoing environmental sustainability by becoming Green Globe benchmarked in 2008.

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