The Royal Albatross Centre is situated at the foot of Taiaroa Head in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and is perfectly integrated with its surroundings. When you enter the foyer, you will be greeted by a carved pole called Poutokomanawa, which tells the story of the Māori people of the headland. Your guide will provide an introduction to the Northern Royal Albatross, while the story of these magnificent birds is narrated by Natural History New Zealand.
A short walk from the Royal Albatross Centre will take you to the Observatory, where you can witness the greatest of all seabirds. In addition, you can visit the McMillan Gallery to learn more about the history and wildlife of the area. Don’t forget to stop by the Toroa Café for a snack or meal, and browse the Toroa Giftshop for a memento to remember the day you met the Royals of Taiaroa!
Experience a tour of the various features of Otago Peninsula and Taiaroa Head, an area that’s unique in the world for the variety and richness of bird and marine life found there. Along with that, the area has a profound human heritage of settlement and use, from the days of Māori fortification to the present.
You can enjoy Taiaroa Head and Dunedin’s Royal Albatross Centre as part of our peninsula package tours, which include several great attractions of the Otago Peninsula.