The Opera

• Penguin Tours
• Native Bush Tours
• Private Bespoke Tours

Creating Experiences Unlike Any Other

Tour Information

• Penguin Tour
Our 'Penguin Tour' offers the most exclusive opportunity to view one of the world's rarest penguin species, the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), in their natural habitat. Numerous korora (little penguins) also call The Opera home.

This 90-minute guided tour consists of three parts. Our guests begin their experience in a theatre setting, where they learn about the hoiho and our conservation efforts to protect them. Guests then move into our rehabilitation centre where hoiho, and occasionally other penguin species, can be seen up close (when penguins are in our care). Finally, guests take a short bus trip into our reserve where they are guided on an approximately 2km (1.25 mile) nature walk. Within the reserve there is the potential to see numerous New Zealand native plants and animals, including hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) and kororā (little penguins), fur seals, sea lions, and several other species of sea, shore, wetland, and forest birds, many of which live or visit within the reserve.

Please note, it is important that guests feel physically capable of a 2km (1.25 mile) walk over uneven terrain and more than 100 steep steps, which may be experienced within our reserve. If individuals are claustrophobic, please note that portions of the tour may pass through a trench system (which is narrow at times) and opens into dug out viewing hides which allow for observing wildlife at eye level.

New offerings

• Native Bush Tour

90-minute guided tour. Learn about the historical forests of the Otago Peninsula and our work to reforest hundreds of hectares of land that was previously cleared for farming. Be guided on an approximately 2km (1.25 miles) walk through mature regenerated bush and learn about the unique flora and fauna along the way. Finish out through our wetlands and enjoy the view of Pipikaretu Beach. Opportunity for observing a wide variety of flora as well as land, sea and shore birds, sea lions, fur seals, and little penguins along the way.


• Tripple Crown Tour

Why do one tour on the Otago Peninsula when you can do three at a 20% discount off each. The OPERA has partnered with Monarch Wildlife Cruises and The Royal Albatross Centre to bring together a package that includes our 90-minute Penguin Tour, a 1-hour wildlife cruise through the bay and out around the headland, and a 1-hour guided tour of the only mainland albatross colony in the world.


• Private Tour

Our private guided tours are tailored to meet the preferences and needs of our guests. A designated member of our tour and operations team will work with guests to design the tour that aligns with your specific objectives and interests. Wildlife photography, botanical experience of touching and tasting, sunset tea and stargazing, there are numerous possible experiences within these crafted tour experiences. Private tours start at 90-minues but can be expanded based on tailored objectives.