Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony in New Zealand is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to Oamaru.

This natural colony is home to the smallest penguin in the world, the Blue Penguin. Visitors can discover the world of these little penguins by taking day tours that are available any time from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Evening viewing begins at 5:15 pm. The colony's long-term conservation and research programs aim to care for and learn about the penguins' lives, and visitors' contributions support these programs.

The colony offers a unique opportunity to observe the world's smallest penguin arriving home from their day at sea and returning to their nests. The birds nest right around the harbor area, and the colony provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe the penguins. Each evening, groups of blue penguins gather offshore and wait for dark. Just after dark, they swim ashore below the viewing stands. They quickly climb the steep bank, before resting a while at the top. When they are ready, they cross the parade area and head towards their nest sites, often to be greeted by mates or hungry chicks.

The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony has a 24/7 live camera of the colony, where visitors can see seals and other wildlife and watch the evening viewing. Visitors can also support the colony's work by purchasing something from their online store. The colony has a small visitor center on-site with a shop and toilet facilities. The actual times penguins come ashore in the evening affects the nighttime hours, but the center opens every day at 5 pm. Access to the public beach is free.

In summary, the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony is a unique and exciting attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to observe the world's smallest penguin in their natural environment. Visitors can take day tours or evening viewings and support the colony's long-term conservation and research programs. The colony is staffed by passionate individuals who are dedicated to wildlife conservation, research, and working in challenging environments. Visitors can learn about the penguins' lives and the colony's conservation and research programs from knowledgeable tour guides like Tia Scott.