A visit to the only Royal Albatross colony easily assessable is a must do

There is only one easily accessible albatross colony to be found anywhere in the world and it’s right here on the South Island of New Zealand.

 Back in the early 1900’s this wasn’t the case. These incredible birds with wingspans of over 3 metres spend years flying around the planet, only stopping to sleep and rest on the surface of the sea. They don’t settle on land except to find a mate, build a nest and for a few months raise and feed their chicks.

They began a colony here at Taiaroa Head on the edge of the Otago Peninsula just after the first world war. The first Albatross egg was recorded as having been laid here in 1920. Nobody really knows why the Albatross chose to nest here on this bleak windswept headland. It may have actually been due to human disturbance as the area was cleared of bush and trees back in the late 1880’s when the perceived Russian threat became apparent. Due to the threat of war between Britain and Russia, New Zealand became responsible for its own defence, and created forts in prominent positions such as this one. At the turn of the century with a barracks and an ‘Armstrong Disappearing Gun’ in place there were over 100 people living at the fort. Nowadays what is left of these defences remain, and tours can be taken to explore them. The headland is very much the preserve now of the albatross with a few other seabirds and New Zealand Fur Seals loliking about on the rock's lower reaches.

The Otago Peninsula, home to the world’s most assessable albatross colony

 The Royal Albatross Centre is operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust. Their visitor building can be found at the very end of the road that threads along the coastline. Here there is a car park which offers you great views from every direction. The visitor centre is home to a museum that provides interesting information about the albatross and all the other seabirds and marine mammals found in the area. It also tells the story of Taiaroa Head from the time it was known as Pukekura by Maori who occupied the area from about 700 years ago. Then came the European settlers who built the lighthouses until the Russian threat and the military fort. The centre is also home to an excellent café (the coffee is top notch and the biscuits worth a treat) and a shop which sells a vast array of Kiwiana.

The Department of Conservation allows the Otago Peninsula Trust to conduct hourly tours regularly throughout the day and these are well worth booking yourself on. Only small tour groups are allowed due to not wanting to disturb the albatross. There were only six of us on our tour. We started with a welcome from our guide and then were taken into a theatre where we all grabbed a seat for a short yet really interesting presentation about the albatross we were about to meet.

Continues shortly….