Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Waterfront Road | Otago, Oamaru 09001, New Zealand

+64 3 433 1195

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Ranked #3 of 19 attractions in Oamaru

150 Reviews

Type: Landmarks/ Points of Interest, Tours

yes, they are hiding under the bridge...

7 visitor photos

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150 reviews from our community

AntarcticBound

Brisbane

Top Contributor

131 reviews

38 attraction reviews

Reviews in 89 cities

78 helpful votes

“A disappoinment if you want to see lots of penguins”

Reviewed 16 May 2013

This attraction is a big disapoinmnet if you expect to see lots of penguins. It cost $20pp (seniors) to enter a small stand to watch a small group of penguins (about 20+ that night) cross from the ocean to their nesting place. There are NO Photographs allowed (even without flash) which is ridiculous. After having seen hundreds of thousands of... More

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DebPe

Contributor

13 reviews

Reviews in 7 cities

2 helpful votes

“A must see”

Reviewed 23 March 2013 via mobile

We waited patiently for the penguins in arrive, and arrive they did! What a beautiful experience! One daughter busy counting how many there were (quietly so as not to disturb the penguins) and the other stood next to the guide asking lots of questions. (Thank you to the lovely guide for making my Lara's trip, so nice of you to... More

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I am glad you and your kids enjoyed your time at the Colony. I have passed on your comments to the guide that was with your child, and they are pleased they could help. In fact, the guide quite enjoyed the company. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. More

S4ndyF

Alfreton

Senior Contributor

26 reviews

8 attraction reviews

Reviews in 17 cities

16 helpful votes

“Ssssoooo cute, love them”

Reviewed 2 March 2013

Having already seen the little blue penguins at Philip Island, Melbourne, it was interesting to see them at Oamaru where we were so much closer to see them come out the sea. Not as many as in Oz but with over 100 coming ashore it was well worth the visit. Definitely go at night, thats when they come in from... More

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Thank you for your comments, and I am pleased you enjoyed your experience. More

Bob C

Oakland, California

Senior Contributor

21 reviews

4 attraction reviews

Reviews in 17 cities

7 helpful votes

“Go at Dusk”

Reviewed 1 March 2013

The arrivals of the rafts of the penguins at dusk were incredible. It was fun to see each raft approaching so fast and to watch the penguins stop in stages before scurrying across an open area to their nests. Over 100 penguins arrived, which was more than expected. The show is well worth it although the announcer was hard to... More

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Thank you for your comments. Our commentary is constatnly reviewed and new information is added to ensure it is as informative as people desire. This is always ballanced with trying not to talk too much, as of course our guides are always available to answer questions. I am glad you enjoyed the experience you had, and appreciate you taking the... More

gol19

Senior Contributor

28 reviews

8 attraction reviews

Reviews in 21 cities

16 helpful votes

“Should have attended evening viewing session”

Reviewed 26 February 2013

We went midday during molting season and did not see many penguins. We saw a few penguins hiding under a bench because they were molting. A few penguins were in their nesting boxes, but we had to look through a small viewing hole to see them. We heard that the evening viewing session is much better because the penguins are... More

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Timing is important with penguins, particularly blue penguins. They nest in burrows and stay out of the sunlight, and are active on land onlly at night. This of course does not mean you cannot see them during the day, because you can. You can see them, individually, inside their burrows. But of course if you want to see a lot... More

MazzyFrodsham

frodsham

Senior Contributor

46 reviews

10 attraction reviews

Reviews in 31 cities

11 helpful votes

“Truly disappointing experience”

Reviewed 23 February 2013

I was really looking forward to going to see these little birds coming home to roost in the evening but I had no idea what this was going to be like. However, I have to say it was the most disappointing experience I had in the whole visit to New Zealand. We chose to pay for the dearer entrance fee... More

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I appreciate your comments, and must admit that if you had raised these concerns on the night the staff would have happily refunded your entrance fee. We do everything we can to ensure the experience had by the visitor meets with their expectations. In this case, it obviously did not. For that I apologise. I do hope, however, that you... More

Dikje P

Wollongong, Australia

Senior Contributor

25 reviews

13 attraction reviews

Reviews in 12 cities

11 helpful votes

“a great natural attraction!”

Reviewed 14 February 2013

To be able to see penguins doing what penguins do: land on the beach at night, without endangering or frightening them, is quite remarkable. And land they must - every night!

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Thank you for your comment. I am pleased you enjoyed your experience. More

mandr268

Westport, Ireland

Top Contributor

254 reviews

83 attraction reviews

Reviews in 107 cities

104 helpful votes

“great sight, but wrap up”

Reviewed 11 February 2013

it was wonderful seeing the small penguins form groups to cross to thier nesting boxes, but be warned it does get very cold sitting waiting

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Thank you for your comments, and it does get cold. We would encourage anyone coming to dress warm and/or bring a blanket regardless of the time of year. I am glad you enjoyed it. More

Lawrence R

Blenheim, New Zealand

Senior Reviewer

6 reviews

3 attraction reviews

Reviews in 5 cities

1 helpful vote

“Money Spinner”

Reviewed 31 January 2013

Think it was just a bit too touristy and a but of a money spinner for them and I think you can see Blue Penguins in other places that wont cost a cent.

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I appreciate your comment about being a 'money spinner'. It is true that the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony is a money-generating venture, and from the outside it may look a bit touristy. But it is also true that we are 100% council owned, and all money generated goes directly back to conservation work or into community improvement projects. And the... More

Mimoso1

Dunedin, New Zealand

2 reviews

“Well worth the over night stay”

Reviewed 31 January 2013

We recently visited the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony and took an evening tour to watch the little creatures come back to shore after a day out fishing in the ocean. Being from Dunedin (only 2 hr drive south of Oamaru), one seldom gets the chance to stop for an evening viewing of the penguins. Because our visit was in the... More

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I am glad you enjoyed your experience, and thank you for taking the time to comment. More