Otago Peninsula
The Otago Peninsula in Dunedin is a wonderful place to see wildlife. We hiked down across the sand dunes at Sandfly Bay to see the Sea Lions playing on the beach.
Sandfly Bay is named after the huge sand dunes that have ‘flown’ up the sides of the hills. Sandymount is over 200m above sea level and is still covered in sand blown up from the beach.
Here’s the view from Sandymount:
Sandfly bay has a penguin hide for viewing the rare Yellow Eyed Penguins and is also a good spot for watching the Sea Lions playing on the beach. The Sea Lions are a lot less shy than the penguins so make sure you keep your distance!
Here’a a short video of a family of Sea Lions playing on the beach:
September 12th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
[…] Anyways, check out VisitingNewZealand — and be sure to hit the Sea Lions of Otago video. Those smelly monster were always a joy to behold on the beaches during an afternoon stroll. […]
February 14th, 2007 at 1:01 am
That video was cool except the part where the BIG sea lion attack the other one it was so sad looking!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Does anyone have any sea lion info I’m doing a report for school and it’s due FRIDAY and I just started!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!
February 14th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Those pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Visited New Zealand from the UK in 2001 and found the Otago Peninsula one of the most scenic parts of NZ. Stumbled across Sandfly beach and am so glad I did, couldn’t believe it when I saw 3 seals on the beach and then sat watching the penguins come ashore in the late afternoon. It’s an experience which I will never forget and would advise anyone to visit this wonderful part of NZ.