Bushy Beach
Penguin & Seal Viewing Hide
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Info
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Reviews 82%
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Similar 5
South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Oamaru ▷
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.
Map
28 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 3.
S Weslake
Ranking: 10/10
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.
Kathleen Reibeholz
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 95 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Car R
Ranking: 8/10
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.
Silvia Romeiro
Ranking: 6/10
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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Jelmer Postma
Ranking: 8/10
Walk itself was not all that special. Seeing the penguins on the beach, however was really nice to see. They are quite far away.
Benedikt Maus
Ranking: 7/10
You can see a lot of little penguins at the beach after sunset.
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Michael Menrath
Ranking: 2/10
No penguins and only one seal in the afternoon. There are better places.
Chandra Holt
Ranking: 7/10
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!
Camping NZ App
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Dianne van der Wal
Ranking: 8/10
Although a bit far away, we did see one penguin coming to shore, amazing!
James Webster
Ranking: 8/10
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
Congratulations Bushy Beach - Penguin & Seal Viewing Hide
JoMary Smith
Ranking: 8/10
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.
Ludvig Fagerstrom
Ranking: 5/10
The lookout is quite far away from the beach so the penquins ( if you are lucky enough to see any) look really small.
Yvonne Horpershoeh
Ranking: 8/10
Quiet spot near Oamaru to watch fur seals and penquins (only in the late afternoon)
S Weslake
Ranking: 10/10
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.
Kathleen Reibeholz
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 95 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Car R
Ranking: 8/10
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.
Silvia Romeiro
Ranking: 6/10
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.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Jelmer Postma
Ranking: 8/10
Walk itself was not all that special. Seeing the penguins on the beach, however was really nice to see. They are quite far away.
Benedikt Maus
Ranking: 7/10
You can see a lot of little penguins at the beach after sunset.
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
Michael Menrath
Ranking: 2/10
No penguins and only one seal in the afternoon. There are better places.
Chandra Holt
Ranking: 7/10
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!
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Dianne van der Wal
Ranking: 8/10
Although a bit far away, we did see one penguin coming to shore, amazing!
James Webster
Ranking: 8/10
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
Congratulations Bushy Beach - Penguin & Seal Viewing Hide
JoMary Smith
Ranking: 8/10
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.
Ludvig Fagerstrom
Ranking: 5/10
The lookout is quite far away from the beach so the penquins ( if you are lucky enough to see any) look really small.
Yvonne Horpershoeh
Ranking: 8/10
Quiet spot near Oamaru to watch fur seals and penquins (only in the late afternoon)
