Shag Point / Matakaea

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  - 4WD Adventures
    
    4WD Adventures
    
    Get off the highway and onto the grass with good old-fashioned 4wheelin' fun. 4WD tours, quad bikes, off-road, self-drive - 101 ways to satisfy the motorhead within.
  - Bridge Climbing
  - Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jumping / Swing
    
    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
    Build a very tall structure with an elastic cord attached to the top. Check.
    Fix cord to body, and leap.
    Wooooo!
  - Canyoning
    
    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
  - Caving
    
    Caving
    
    Don overalls and gumboots for a day underground, up and down ropes navigating the maze of tunnels - or go glowworm spotting and enjoy the serenity.
  - Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Cycling & Mountain Biking
    
    Put pedal to the metal cycling the length and breadth of New Zealand, or blow your hair back (with a helmet on) navigating NZ's many purpose built Mountain Biking trails.
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  - Horse Trekking
    
    Horse Trekking
    
    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
    Horse trekking is offered all over New Zealand, guided trips catering to both experienced riders and those with less time in the saddle.
  - Outside the Square
    
    Outside the Square
    
    Fun, crazy and unusual - these activities refuse to be put in a box. If you're looking for something a bit different, you'll find it here.
  - Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking is cycling on unused and forgotten railways. A railbike is either a bicycle that has been modified to be able to ride on the rails of a railroad or a purpose-built specialized railbike or railcart.
  - Snow and Ice
    
    Snow and Ice
    
    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
  - Sphereing
    
    Sphereing
    
    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
  - Walking and Hiking Tours
  - Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and Trekking
    
    Walking and trekking the tracks throughout New Zealand is top of the to-do list for many travellers to New Zealand. From gentle, scenic short walks to multi-day adventures, experience Aotearoa on foot and immerse yourself in the bush, beach and wilderness you came to see.
- Water Activities
  - Boat Cruises
    
    Boat Cruises
    
    With over 15,000km of coastline to enjoy, New Zealand is naturally quite fond of boats… Boat cruises are a great way to explore NZ's rivers, lakes, beaches and fjords, offering a different perspective on both our landscape and wildlife.
  - Diving
    
    Diving
    
    Get deep - explore life beneath the surface with diving, scuba or snorkelling. From the sub-tropical waters of the North Island to the clear, cool waters of the deep South, divers of all abilities can get up close and personal with New Zealand's wrecks, colourful seascape and fish.
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    Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking
    
    Epic river journeys, gentle lake paddles and inland excursions, exploring New Zealand's interior by waterway gives you a fresh perspective on the landscape.
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    Jet Boating
    
    The need for speed is alive and well! Get up close and personal - at pace - with New Zealand rivers and lakes from the confines of a speedy little boat. Thrills, spins and scenery, jet boating is an adrenaline rush appropriate for young, old and everyone in between.
  - Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Marine Animal Encounters
    
    Get up close with wild sea creatures in their natural habitat.
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    i-SITE Visitor Information Centres
    
    i-SITE is New Zealand’s official visitor information network with over 80 i-SITEs nationwide
    
    Every person who works at an i-SITE is a local travel expert for their home town. They will help you to find quality activities, attractions, accommodation, transport and more. This ensures you will experience the latest and greatest the town has to offer whatever you are after!
  - Visitor Information Centres
    
    Visitor Information Centres
    
    Local visitor centres often work on a casual basis. Opening hours vary, and you can't always rely on them being open, but if they are you'll have access to very localised information.
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    Stargazing
    
    Stargazing is accessible astronomy. The natural world includes the universe - we only need look up at the sky to see these natural wonders.
  - Volcanic & Geothermal Attractions
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    Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks
    
    All the camping conveniences can be found here. Expect powered sites, hot showers, serviced facilities and often much more.
  - Basic Facility Camping
    
    Basic Facility Camping
    
    Camping with just the bare essentials in some of the most beautiful locations across NZ. Expect a non flush toilet that's intermittently serviced. Anything more is a bonus.
  - Freedom Camping
    
    Freedom Camping
    
    Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only. Check our notes for details.
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  - Rail
  - Rental Cars
    
    Rental Cars
    
    New Zealand travel is at its best with your own set of wheels. Rental cars give you flexibility to travel at your own pace and deviate off the beaten path.
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    Shuttle Buses
    
    A shuttle bus offers short haul bus services that run multiple times a day, often to an activity or attraction.
- Water Transport
  - Ferries
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  - Helicopter Flights

- North Island
  - Northland
    
    Northland
    
    The wairua (spirit) is strong in this one. Two seas clash on the outer rim while giant forest guardians look over within.
  - Auckland Region
    
    Auckland Region
    
    There is no other city in NZ with such an array of close natural wonders. Sometimes hidden behind poor urban design, a small effort yields great rewards.
  - Coromandel
    
    Coromandel
    
    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
  - Bay of Plenty
    
    Bay of Plenty
    
    The name says it all.
  - Waikato
    
    Waikato
    
    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
  - Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
  - Rotorua Region
    
    Rotorua Region
    
    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
  - Taupo Region
    
    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
  - Ruapehu
    
    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
  - Hawkes Bay
    
    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
  - Taranaki
    
    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
  - Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
  - Wairarapa
    
    Wairarapa
    
    Get off the main drag and the story of the ugly duckling will be realised.
  - Wellington Region
    
    Wellington Region
    
    Seriously cool that rules with political tools. There's no better place in Aotearoa to get your city fix.
- South Island
  - Marlborough
    
    Marlborough
    
    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
  - Nelson Region
    
    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
  - West Coast
    
    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
  - Kaikoura Region
    
    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
  - Canterbury
    
    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

Yellow Eyed Penguins and Seal Viewing

18 Rankers Reviews

11 Face-to-Face

14 Seal Watching

7 Penguin Watching

1 Palmerston

Analysis

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Palmerston, Coastal Otago

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Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Southland Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Palmerston
Categories	Seal Watching Penguin Watching Free

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Southland

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Palmerston

Feature	Value	Info
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.

Reviews

18 Rankers Reviews

Analysis

Quick Quotes

Amazing rocks and lots of seals - very active.
Very tricky to get to in a camper.
A lot of seals and you can get very close.
Seals, sea lions, penguins, oh my!
A lot of seals but didn't see penguins.

Rating Distribution

Rating	Count
10/10	9	50%
9/10	5	28%
8/10	2	11%
7/10	1	6%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	1	6%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in January 2017

10/10

Amazing rocks and lots of seals - very active.

Harold Booy

Canada
Reviewed about 5 years ago and experienced in January 2017

4/10

Very tricky to get to in a camper.
Also did not see any penguins as people were on the beach.

Sam Howard

United Kingdom
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in December 2016

9/10

Nice view, easy to find, we had a beautiful sunny day.

Christina

Germany
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in October 2016

9/10

We were at first disappointed at the viewing house for the Yellow Eyed Penguins but you can also go to right along the fence before the house.
A Yellow Eyed Penguin came and sat right beside us.

Ulrich K

Germany
Reviewed over 5 years ago

10/10

Seals, sea lions, penguins, oh my!
Sunbathing, frolicking in the water and hamming it up for photos. Take the road to the lighthouse. Don't miss this!

Judy Aspinall
Reviewed over 5 years ago

10/10

Well worth the 10 minute diversion off the main road.
Lots & lots of seals sunbathing on the rocks.

Lee Burdett
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in April 2016

10/10

Quiet place with a lot of seals and penguins, definitely worth it.

Jorg Muller

Germany
Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in December 2015

9/10

A lot of seals and you can get very close.

Roman and Liz

Germany
Reviewed over 6 years ago

9/10

A lot of seals but didn't see penguins.

Max Brunner
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2015

10/10

This free attraction was by far the best thing I did in my 1 month visit to NZ!
DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY

Plentiful seals that you can get very close to

A real natural wildlife experience.

Emma

Australia
Reviewed over 7 years ago

10/10

Brilliant place to see seals, you can get super close without disturbing them.

James Webster
Reviewed over 7 years ago

7/10

A bit nervous driving the 4berth van down the road, but got to see some seals.

Ma Za

Australia
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in January 2014

8/10

Off Main Road #1, lots of seals and great views.

Anne and Steve Bartlett

Australia
Reviewed over 8 years ago

9/10

Great place to see the penguins coming in from the sea.
We were there around 8 P.M. and saw about half a dozen of them come in. Nice blind to watch from. The trail is a little on the steep side.

Brian

United States
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in February 2013

8/10

It is near Moeraki, lots of seals, with the sun it is perfect.

Julien Panossian

France
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in February 2013

10/10

Donation is requested but not mandatory, saw dozens of yellow-eyed penguins, including fluffy chick and they were pretty cute.
Even saw them up close.

Kate Glover

United States
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in February 2013

10/10

Beautiful beach and cliffside plus we could have literally walked up and touched a fur seal.
Perfect.

Sara Omary

United States
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in February 2013

10/10

Yellow eyed penguins.
Lovely experience! Wildlife!

Patrycja Polakowska

Poland