Albatross Viewing at Taiaroa Head Carpark
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Albatross Viewing at Taiaroa Head Carpark
Park on up, visit the Royal Albatross Centre and you may be lucky enough to spot an Albatross - or at least a black backed gull.... However the odd massive albatross (you won't miss it!) does land here. It has happened during the summer months, especially with adolescents returning back to the headland for the first time. Birds can become disoriented in thick sea mist also or misjudge the wind currents on occasion and have to make an emergency landing in the carpark. Good luck for the spotting!
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Portobello |
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Bird Watching
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
We were here late in the day so didn't go on a tour but watched the albatross from the carpark - they are really amazing.
The centre is very informative and we had a short walk around before they closed for the day.
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5.0/5
The fees for the tours support the conservation efforts of the Royal Albatross Centre, you numpties!
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3.0/5
It's a beautiful place but I was here several times in the early 90s and was disappointed in the way the centre has changed.
It used to be much cheaper ? Free to see them and I'm sure the penguins were free too. This meant far more people saw them. 100 dollars for 2 people is really expensive. The nearby boat trip looked better value. If it was 10 dollars each far more people would do the tours. They didn't even have the webcam on show which seemed bizarre.
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5.0/5
We went at watched sea lions/seals during their sun bath, you can get quite close but you should keep your distance to not disturb them.
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4.0/5
Saw plenty of albatross flying around.
Didn't pay to go in the centre as felt it was too expensive. Would have liked to have seen the babies though. Also saw heaps of seals on the walk down the hill. If you time it right you can secretely tag along with a small tour group and listen to the information for free as they walk along the boardwalk.
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4.0/5
Head to Taiaroa Head at the Otago Peninsula to see the Albatross in full flight - near the carpark out on the cliff.
See them for free.
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3.0/5
Just a bunch of birds doing bird stuff.
Alright views, spotted a view of those fancy birds wearing a tuxedo.
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4.0/5
Great place for getting the feeling of wind.
Nice view. Opportunity to go the the Albatross Centre or only walking around.
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5.0/5
You can walk around the viewing boardwalks and lookouts for free - totally worth it!
We saw numerous Albatross flying above our heads, seals on the rocks below. Pounding oceanwaves - breathtaking and free!
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4.5/5
When you want to see the albatross you do not have to book a tour.
Just walk on the right side of the centre and they will fly over your head when it is windy. Great experience!!
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4.0/5
We were here late in the day so didn't go on a tour but watched the albatross from the carpark - they are really amazing.
The centre is very informative and we had a short walk around before they closed for the day.
-
5.0/5
The fees for the tours support the conservation efforts of the Royal Albatross Centre, you numpties!
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3.0/5
It's a beautiful place but I was here several times in the early 90s and was disappointed in the way the centre has changed.
It used to be much cheaper ? Free to see them and I'm sure the penguins were free too. This meant far more people saw them. 100 dollars for 2 people is really expensive. The nearby boat trip looked better value. If it was 10 dollars each far more people would do the tours. They didn't even have the webcam on show which seemed bizarre.
-
5.0/5
We went at watched sea lions/seals during their sun bath, you can get quite close but you should keep your distance to not disturb them.
-
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4.0/5
Saw plenty of albatross flying around.
Didn't pay to go in the centre as felt it was too expensive. Would have liked to have seen the babies though. Also saw heaps of seals on the walk down the hill. If you time it right you can secretely tag along with a small tour group and listen to the information for free as they walk along the boardwalk.
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4.0/5
Head to Taiaroa Head at the Otago Peninsula to see the Albatross in full flight - near the carpark out on the cliff.
See them for free.
-
3.0/5
Just a bunch of birds doing bird stuff.
Alright views, spotted a view of those fancy birds wearing a tuxedo.
-
4.0/5
Great place for getting the feeling of wind.
Nice view. Opportunity to go the the Albatross Centre or only walking around.
-
5.0/5
You can walk around the viewing boardwalks and lookouts for free - totally worth it!
We saw numerous Albatross flying above our heads, seals on the rocks below. Pounding oceanwaves - breathtaking and free!
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4.5/5
When you want to see the albatross you do not have to book a tour.
Just walk on the right side of the centre and they will fly over your head when it is windy. Great experience!!
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3.5/5
You can visit the Albratross Centre for free and if you go to the 100metres right at the centre (public land) you can also see the albatross and seals for free rather than pay for expensive tour.
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3.5/5
I just stood in the car park and watched the birds flying around above us.
It was special and I'm not sure what more you'd get from doing the tour as all the info you could possibly need is displayed in the guest centre for free.
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5.0/5
You need to pay if you wanna go to the nesting sites, but you can just stay on the parking lot and they will fly around your head on a windy day......
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