Blue Penguin Colony. Oamaru. New Zealand.
S 45° 06.630 E 170° 58.835
59G E 498472 N 5004774
The Oamaru Blue Penguin colony is located in an old quarry beside Oamaru Harbour. The quarry ceased operating in the 1970s and the site was abandoned. After this, the penguins began coming ashore and nesting in the old quarry site.
Waymark Code: WM7PMY
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 11/18/2009
Views: 5
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony provides you with the perfect opportunity to watch blue penguins as they return from a busy day at sea.
You will see them arrive on the beach, climb the steep rocks and make their way inland to their burrows.
Penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere. The Blue Penguin, the world's smallest penguin whose scientific name is Eudyptula minor, lives around the coasts of New Zealand and Southern Australia.
Here at the Oamaru Visitor Centre at the Boat Harbour, end of Waterfront Road, you can watch the Blue Penguins at night from a specially built viewing grandstand and hear a commentary about the birds.
Park Name: Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, Visitor Centre, Oamaru.
Sponsoring Organization: Waitaki District Council.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Website: [Web Link]
Entrance Fee: 22.00 (listed in local currency)
List any Hides, Birding Towers, or other structures to assist in Birdwatching found at the location:
Viewing grandstand lit up for night viewing, cost: $22. Colony area and nests can be seen clearly by day for free. You will probably not see penguins in the colony during the day.
Parking Coordinates: N 45° 06.620 W 170° 58.735
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Visit Instructions:
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