Essential Information

For a comfortable and memorable experience, please read this information carefully.

Please note, the wildlife is untrained and unpredictable, and we cannot guarantee that you will see every species. However, we do guarantee we’ll do everything we can to give you the best possible animal viewing.

We travel the coast road and the back roads of the Otago Peninsula and on our farm tracks, with a maximum of 10 guests per group. Our guides are highly experienced and are confident drivers, and our comfortable vehicles are fulltime 4WD with air-conditioning.

We supply high quality binoculars and spare wet weather jackets. There are toilet facilities at the farm.

Tours are four hours in duration and there are no opportunities to stop for food or refreshments during our tours. Guests are welcome to bring pre-packed food and drink to enjoy, and we have complimentary water and cookies on board.

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your tour departure time.

Our tours depart precisely on time. Our guide will help you settle into the vehicle approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled tour departure.

MEETING POINT

Regular pickup is outside the Dunedin I-Site Visitor Information Centre, 50 The Octagon, Central Dunedin. MAPS LINK

Roadside parking in central Dunedin is not suitable for your 4-hour tour. The best parking location is at the Thomas Burns Street Carpark & Campervan Park. MAPS LINK. Please allow for a 10-minute walk to our collection point, at the Octagon. Fee: $8 per day.

ALTERNATIVE PICK-UP POINTS (Port Chalmers not included)

Please contact us for details of our pickup location near Portobello on the Otago Peninsula. Please note, we are unable collect from the cruise terminal (Port Chalmers).

Arrangements must be confirmed 12 hours before tour departure.

We can arrange accommodation pick-ups for central city locations, up to 24 hours before your tour. All accommodation pick-ups will be 15 minutes prior to the tour start time and are subject to availability.

Essential information. Please read carefully.

Level of fitness & terrain: This tour requires a reasonable level of fitness. There are some hills to walk up and down. There is also a beach walk and there are also several sets of steps and stairs therefore the terrain visited is not suitable for persons with walking disabilities or wheelchairs. Small children might have difficulty keeping up on the trails. The terrain is not suitable for strollers or prams or children under 5 years of age. Learn more HERE.

Clothing: Our tours are an outdoor activity in a land where maritime weather prevails, the weather can change very quickly, regardless of the season. Please bring warm and waterproof clothing. We provide complementary wind and rain proof jackets for anyone feeling unprepared.

Footwear: Walking shoes/boots with good tread are recommended and necessary if conditions are wet or muddy.

Food: Tours are four hours in duration, so guests are welcome to bring pre-packed food and drink as there are no opportunities to stop for food during our tours.

Children: Our tour is not suitable for children under five years of age. For safety reasons children are not able to sit on an adult’s lap in our vehicle. Adults must ensure that they are within an arm’s reach of young children at all times. At times there needs to silence within our wildlife viewing areas. Please refrain from booking if you are unsure that your child can follow our guides instructions.

Medicines: Personal medicines etc. should be carried if required on all tours. Any medical condition which could potentially be a problem should be communicated to your guide at the start of a tour.

Wildlife Photography: There will be some amazing photo opportunities during our tours, but we do not allow close up flash photography of wildlife as this may startle or injure them. Please ensure that you are familiar with your camera options or ask one of our friendly team for advice.

Wildlife Protection: You must keep a distance of at least 20 metres from sea lions and seals and 50 metres from penguins. You need to stay close to the Tour Guide, and they will instruct you what to do if something unexpected happens. There is no opportunity to get ahead of your guide or wander off and you must keep up with the group. This is essential for the protection of the wildlife you will encounter and their habitat.

Cruise ship information. Please read carefully.

Arriving by cruise ship? *Book directly with for additional ship cancellation peace of mind!

Wild One Tour (4-hours): This tour leaves from The Octagon in Central Dunedin. Please see below some helpful information for transport into the Octagon and back to Port Otago.

Wild Private Tour (5-hours): We will pick you up and drop you back to Port Otago. Your guide will pick you up from inside the Cruise Ship Terminal.

*Cruise Passenger Cancellation Policy: Book directly with us and we will refund your booking if your ship is delayed or unable to dock. (This only applies to bookings made directly through this website.) Bookings made through third parties are subject to our standard 24-hour cancellation policy.

Cruise Ship to Cruise Ship Terminal: Once you disembark your ship it is only a 100-metre walk to the cruise ship terminal. Inside the terminal you will see the Dunedin I-Site Visitor Information Centre, where the team can assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your transport into the Octagon.

Coaches & Shuttle Transport to Central Dunedin: There are coaches / buses & shuttles running every 10-20 minutes from the Cruise Ship Terminal to central Dunedin and the same back again from near our Octagon pick up point. The journey from Port Otago into the city centre is approximately a 25-minute drive.

Ideally, we recommend you allow 1.5 hours either side of your tour for travel to/from your ship via coach/bus transfer. The coaches are provided by your cruise ship, and the price varies from complementary to approximately NZ $20.00 – $40.00 per person return.

Please Note: There are toilets located close to our pickup point and food outlets and cafes if you require snacks or a packed lunch to eat in our vans. There are no food stops during our tour. We supply good quality binoculars and wind and rain proof jackets if required.

The Octagon area has amazing architecture and is walking distance to the beautiful Dunedin Railway Station so many passengers will spend time in this area prior to or after our tour. There is also great shopping if you are looking for some NZ gifts or something special to take back home.

The small village of Port Chalmers is only a 100-metre walk from Port Otago and is also a fun place to visit.

Please call 03 477 8899 or SMS/WhatsApp +64 27 250 4006 if you experience any delays on the day.

We look forward to seeing you!