Quick Details
Albatross Classic + Fort Taiaroa
The ultimate tour – combining our Albatross Classic with Fort Taiaroa to include the story of the Northern Royal Albatross and the human history of Pukekura / Taiaroa Head.
This 90 minute fully-guided tour includes a presentation by your guide on the albatross breeding cycle and a short film by Natural History NZ, followed by a short walk up the hill for 30 minutes of viewing from our exclusive glassed observatory to view the nesting albatross, and then continuing through the underground fort tunnels to see the fully restored 1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun.
Learn about the history of this headland – from a small Māori camp to fortified pā where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840; from the site of a wooden flagstaff to an 1864 lighthouse at the entrance to Otago Harbour; from an 1880s underground fort to a large defence base in WWII; to the Nature Reserve and iconic wildlife attraction status Taiaroa Head holds today.
Please note: October is difficult to guarantee albatross sightings as chicks depart the headland in September and new season nests are built in late October. During October, we hope to see some new season adults either on the ground, in the air or both, but there is a small chance we may not see any.
Things to Know
- Please check in 15 minutes prior to the tour departure time to confirm your arrival.
- The Royal Albatross Centre is located at the tip of the Otago Peninsula, a 50 minute scenic drive from the Dunedin city.
- Make sure you allow time to enjoy a delicious meal in the Toroa Cafe open all day.
- Photography is allowed on our tours, but no flash. Viewing the albatross is behind a one way glass system to reduce our disturbance on the albatross and wildlife.
- The weather at Taiaroa Head can prevail, please bring warm and waterproof clothes.