Wild Stories (and they’re all true!)
Let us tell you a story…
Stories from Wild Dunedin and Beyond share the people, places, and passions that make Ōtepoti and the surrounding region, the wildlife capital of Aotearoa. From festival highlights to meeting our contributors, to inspiring conservation mahi across the motu, our stories shine a light on our connection to nature and the incredible efforts being made to protect it for future generations.
Clearwater Wildlife Tours
On the wild side of the Otago Peninsula, Clearwater Wildlife Tours offers exclusive access to a family-owned farm and private conservation reserve where visitors can experience some of New Zealand's rarest wildlife in its natural habitat.
OPERA – Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance
More than just a wildlife experience, OPERA is a working conservation reserve where every visit directly helps protect some of New Zealand's rarest wildlife. Nestled on the Otago Peninsula, the private eco-reserve is dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation, habitat restoration and education, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience conservation in action.
Port to Port
Exploring Otago Harbour with Port to Port Cruises is about more than spotting wildlife – it's about discovering the stories, history and hidden gems of one of New Zealand's most spectacular harbours.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises
For more than 40 years, Monarch Wildlife Cruises has been helping visitors discover the incredible wildlife of the Otago Peninsula.
Blue Penguins Pukekura
As daylight fades over Takiharuru/Pilots Beach, something magical begins to unfold. Tiny kororā (little blue penguins), the world's smallest penguins, emerge from the sea after a day of fishing and waddle ashore to their burrows.
Taste Wild Dunedin
From cafés serving seasonal Otago produce to award-winning breweries, distilleries and restaurants showcasing local ingredients, you'll find plenty of places where sustainability and local flavour go hand in hand in Dunedin.
Wild Walks
From windswept clifftops and hidden beaches to native forests, volcanic landscapes and panoramic lookouts, many of the region's best walks are just minutes from Dunedin’s city centre.
Wild Hero 2026: Neville Peat
The New Zealand Festival of Nature is proud to recognise the late Neville Peat as our 2026 Wild Hero, honouring a remarkable lifetime devoted to conservation, storytelling and championing the wild places that make Aotearoa unique.
Wild Hero 2025: Celebrating Jeannie Hayden
Some people dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife. Others dedicate theirs to helping people fall in love with it. Jeannie Hayden has done both.
Wild Hero 2024: Celebrating Dunedin Wildlife Hospital
In 2024, Wild Dunedin's Wild Hero Award recognised an entire team whose dedication is helping secure the future of some of New Zealand's rarest wildlife.
Royal Albatross Centre
Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula is home to the world’s only mainland colony of Royal Albatross, accessed by guided tour to a viewing observatory.
The OPERA
A farm in a past life, and now a thriving sanctuary for native plants and animals, The OPERA - Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, formerly Penguin Place, has big plans for the future under the guidance of new owners Ike and Jerad Haldan who bought the property in April 2023.
Woodhaugh Gardens
Woodhaugh Gardens is at 1081 George St, bordered by the Water of Leith and forming part of the city’s Green Belt, linking up with the Botanic Garden.
Chingford Park
Chingford Park, with arguably the best collection of mature exotic trees in urban Dunedin, is very easy to find at 411 North Rd in the North East Valley.
Huriawa Pā
Spectacular Huriawa Peninsula at Karitāne just south of Waikouaiti was the site of a historic fortified Māori pā.
Sutton Salt Lake
You’ll find Sutton Lake, New Zealand’s only inland salt water lake, an hour’s drive from Dunedin, five minutes before Middlemarch.
Family-friendly Fun at Tūhura Otago Museum
When it comes to family-fun in Ōtepoti Dunedin, look no further than Tūhura Otago Museum!
Wild Hero 2023: Celebrating Jim Fyfe
After nearly 40 years protecting Otago's coast and marine wildlife, Jim Fyfe was named Wild Dunedin's 2023 Wild Hero.
Dunedin Nightlife - Orokonui Ecosanctuary After Dark
Spring is the time that Orokonui Ecosanctuary restarts Dusk Tours. Guide Taylor Davies-Colley explains: "So much of the wildlife’s behaviour is dictated by the time of day, and everything changes in te pō (night) – the wildlife, the scenery, the vibe."
Hereweka Garden - From Gorse to Gondwana
Peter Cooke is passionate about trees, and has collection of trees with a Gondwana link to our native trees.