Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Penguins began nesting in a rock quarry at the edge of Oamaru Harbour in the early 1990s. Today, it's Oamaru’s largest tourist attraction, with Blue Penguins nesting close to town under the cliffs along the Historic Harbour foreshore.

Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a one-day experience with lots of interaction, education and information on the colony's research and monitoring programmes. With day entry, visitors can also enter the day viewing room and explore the penguins breeding area where you may see the penguins up close in their burrows. Penguin numbers vary from day to day so just ask a staff member how many they can guarantee you will see.

Evening viewing is when you will get to see the penguins arrive home from their days fishing. With general and premium viewing stands, watch the penguins swim ashore and enter the colony right in front of you!

Opening times vary during the year depending upon the season and the activities of the blue penguins in their natural environment.

October - March: 10am until close of evening viewing which depends on when the sun sets and when the penguins come ashore (between 8.00pm - 11.00pm. April - September: 10.00am until close of evening viewing which depends on when the sun sets and when the penguins come ashore (between 5.00pm - 8.00pm).