Spoiler alert: we’re about to suggest you travel to a remote peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island to look at some birds, but bear with us. There’s a good reason.
While we may not be the planet’s foremost authorities on birds (for the record, our ornithological credentials leave a lot to be desired), we do know a spectacular sight when we see one.
Taiaroa Head, a 30-minute drive from Dunedin, is the world’s only mainland colony of the Northern Royal Albatross.
Nearly 100 of these majestic birds can be found nesting on the head’s jagged rock cliffs at any one time. The largest of all seabirds, the Royal Albatross’ wings measure more than 3 metres (10 feet) across.
That incredible wingspan makes them a graceful and majestic sight in the air … and somewhat clumsy on land.
Short of hiring a boat and braving the high seas, the Royal Albatross Centre is the best place to see these magnificent birds nesting, mating and soaring in formation. Not to mention that the centre is located in the old Fort Taioroa atop some pretty stunning sea cliffs, so even if birds aren’t your bag, you’ll still want to visit.
Over to natural history legend David Attenborough for a quick introduction to Taiaroa Head…
See a remarkably tolerant female allow a ranger from the Royal Albatross Centre check her newborn chick’s health …
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Gary Stockton)
