Bushy Beach
Penguin & Seal Viewing Hide
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Bushy Beach
At the other side of the Oamaru harbour headland, a colony of endangered yellow-eyed penguins can be watched from a viewing hide at Bushy Beach, a short, easy walk from the carpark.
Details
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Location |
South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru |
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Coordinates |
Penguin Watching
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Nice short walk to the viewing platform.
We brought binoculars but didn't spot penguins but saw many sealions.
We were here early February.
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5.0/5
Well worth a visit!
Short track down to a wooden shed/lookout point. We saw 4 Yellow Eyed penguins and 3 sea lions. Be prepared for the wind as it is very exposed, and binoculars are a must. Not walking distance from the town, so best to drive here, ample parking.
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3.0/5
The place is very beautiful and easy to find, but is quite far from the beach and we couldn't actually see any penguins, just 2 sea lions.
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4.0/5
The penguins are fairly far from the viewing platform but some keen eyes, binoculars and a big lens we saw quite a number.
If you do go, don't give up although it says 4pm I think it was much nearer 6pm before they made an appearance and some people had left - we nearly did.
There are some places you can pay to see penguins but I like that this was authentic and wild, everyone peacefully waiting. There are also places you can see penguins, sometimes yellow eyed, closer but again I like that they are left alone not disturbed by humans as they should be.
Some sea lions for pre-entertainment. So glad we waited.
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4.0/5
Walk itself was not all that special.
Seeing the penguins on the beach, however was really nice to see. They are quite far away.
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3.5/5
Beautiful short walk but didn't see penguins.
One seal. If you wanna get up close to yellow eyed penguins in a bigger colony go to the Moeraki Lighthouse bushwalk, a bit south of here - they came right up to us!
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4.0/5
Well sign posted, we arrived just after 8.00am and saw one penguin.
Aim to get there 7.30am or earlier. You will need good eyes and good zoom as away from the action
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4.0/5
The brilliant receptionist at Oamaru holiday park told us exactly when and where to go to view yellow eyed penguins coming ashore, there were not many on that particular evening but we had some good views
. Then we drove back into town and had a lovely meal, after which we found our way to the south side of the harbour where with a bit of patience it is possible to have excellent views of little blue penguins coming ashore to roost. There is a paid attraction (expensive!) but you do not need to go to it: the penguins have their own ideas of where they want to come ashore and while you will see more penguins at the paying place, you can have good close sightings if you wait quietly along the harbour. Take a torch but stay at a good distance from the penguins so as not to scare them.
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4.0/5
Nice short walk to the viewing platform.
We brought binoculars but didn't spot penguins but saw many sealions.
We were here early February.
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5.0/5
Well worth a visit!
Short track down to a wooden shed/lookout point. We saw 4 Yellow Eyed penguins and 3 sea lions. Be prepared for the wind as it is very exposed, and binoculars are a must. Not walking distance from the town, so best to drive here, ample parking.
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4.0/5
The penguins are fairly far from the viewing platform but some keen eyes, binoculars and a big lens we saw quite a number.
If you do go, don't give up although it says 4pm I think it was much nearer 6pm before they made an appearance and some people had left - we nearly did.
There are some places you can pay to see penguins but I like that this was authentic and wild, everyone peacefully waiting. There are also places you can see penguins, sometimes yellow eyed, closer but again I like that they are left alone not disturbed by humans as they should be.
Some sea lions for pre-entertainment. So glad we waited.
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3.0/5
The place is very beautiful and easy to find, but is quite far from the beach and we couldn't actually see any penguins, just 2 sea lions.
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4.0/5
Walk itself was not all that special.
Seeing the penguins on the beach, however was really nice to see. They are quite far away.
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3.5/5
Beautiful short walk but didn't see penguins.
One seal. If you wanna get up close to yellow eyed penguins in a bigger colony go to the Moeraki Lighthouse bushwalk, a bit south of here - they came right up to us!
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4.0/5
Well sign posted, we arrived just after 8.00am and saw one penguin.
Aim to get there 7.30am or earlier. You will need good eyes and good zoom as away from the action
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4.0/5
The brilliant receptionist at Oamaru holiday park told us exactly when and where to go to view yellow eyed penguins coming ashore, there were not many on that particular evening but we had some good views
. Then we drove back into town and had a lovely meal, after which we found our way to the south side of the harbour where with a bit of patience it is possible to have excellent views of little blue penguins coming ashore to roost. There is a paid attraction (expensive!) but you do not need to go to it: the penguins have their own ideas of where they want to come ashore and while you will see more penguins at the paying place, you can have good close sightings if you wait quietly along the harbour. Take a torch but stay at a good distance from the penguins so as not to scare them.
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2.5/5
The lookout is quite far away from the beach so the penquins ( if you are lucky enough to see any) look really small.
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4.0/5
Quiet spot near Oamaru to watch fur seals and penquins (only in the late afternoon)
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5.0/5
We had the opportunity to see Albatross, fur seals, penguins, birds etc.
Without interfering in their life, while we were walking.
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3.5/5
Great experience in February.
Viewed at dusk in free hide above the beach. Also saw seals here.
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5.0/5
View yellow eyed from hide.
View blue from parking lot - after 10pm and then leave. Stay still and quiet, see penguins cross and go to nests.
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3.0/5
Hide and view points over beach.
Only saw three penguins in 1.5 hours, but there is only a small number there.
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3.0/5
Watching the yellow-eyed penguins in Oamaru (for free) instead of watching the blue ones for a lot of money.
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4.5/5
Forget paying $25 in Oamaru, this is the best kept secret!!
Follow Lighthouse Drive then walk towards the fishing area to walk amongst penguins and sea-lions in their natural habitat for free!
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4.0/5
Nice scenery and 'hide' to watch penguins come ashore.
Saw a few and one up by the carpark so called the ranger. Binoculars need renewing along with window catches in hide. Also walks and seals here.
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