Hampden Day Trip: Discover Penguins and Boulders

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by Joseph

March 30, 2024 · 1 min read

Hampden 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a fascinating one-day journey to Hampden, where nature's marvels await you. Begin your adventure at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, nestled at 17 Waterfront Road. Spend two hours observing these adorable creatures in their natural habitat, an experience that promises to be both educational and heartwarming. After meeting the world's smallest penguins, take a short drive to Moeraki Boulders Beach. Allocate half an hour to explore these geological wonders scattered along the shore. The Moeraki Boulders, with their mysterious spherical shapes, make for an extraordinary sight and a photographer's paradise. This one-day itinerary in Hampden, curated by Trip.com, offers a perfect blend of wildlife and natural history, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Top 2 Hotels in Hampden
TOP 1
Pioneer Motel
Pioneer Motel
hotelStar
3/5
1 review
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TOP 2
Haven on Haven
Haven on Haven
hotelStar
4/5
0 reviews
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Day 1: Unveiling the Charms of Hampden

1

Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

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Kick off your Hampden adventure with a heartwarming encounter at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, nestled at 17 Waterfront Road. As the first stop of the day, allow yourself a couple of hours to immerse in the magic of these adorable creatures. The colony is a sanctuary where you can witness the world's smallest penguins in their natural habitat. As dusk falls, prepare to be enchanted by the sight of blue penguins returning ashore after a day's fishing. The conservation efforts here ensure a safe haven for the penguins, and the educational experience is both enlightening and delightful for visitors of all ages.

Attraction Info

  • 17 Waterfront Road, South Hill, Oamaru 9400, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 1:00pm-7:00pm,The penguin return time changes every night with sunset, so the starting time for nighttime viewing will change with the seasons. October to March: The start time of night viewing is approximately 7:00-9:00 pm, and the end time is approximately 8:30-11:00 pm. April-September: Night viewing starts at approximately 5:00-6:30 pm and ends at approximately 7:00-8:30 pm. The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Cucina
Cucina
4.9/5 · 8 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
Whitestone Cheese
Whitestone Cheese
4.5/5 · 3 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Scotts Brewing Co
Scotts Brewing Co
4.7/5 · 3 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
Vinbrux Bakery & Kaffeehaus
Vinbrux Bakery & Kaffeehaus
4.3/5 · 3 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
The Galley
The Galley
/5 · 0 reviews
0.8 km from attraction
The Pasquale Kurow Winery
The Pasquale Kurow Winery
4.5/5 · 2 reviews
1.4 km from attraction
32 min,38.52 km
2

Moeraki Boulders Beach

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After the delightful penguin parade, make your way to the mystical Moeraki Boulders Beach, a short drive from the colony. Allocate about half an hour to marvel at the grandeur of these naturally formed spherical stones. Scattered along the sandy shores of Hampden, these geological wonders have stood the test of time, some dating back millions of years. The Moeraki Boulders are not only a photographer's dream but also a fascinating stop for anyone intrigued by nature's artistry. The beach offers a serene backdrop for a reflective stroll or simply a moment to soak in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Attraction Info

  • Moeraki Boulders Road, Hampden 9482, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Moeraki Boulders Cafe
Moeraki Boulders Cafe
4.7/5 · 7 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Vanessas Cottage Cafe
Vanessas Cottage Cafe
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
Lockies
Lockies
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
The Fishwife
The Fishwife
/5 · 1 review
2.8 km from attraction
Moeraki Tavern
Moeraki Tavern
/5 · 0 reviews
2.8 km from attraction
Boulders Bar & Bistro - Hampden
Boulders Bar & Bistro - Hampden
/5 · 0 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
4.4/52 Reviews
4.4/5Excellent2 Reviews
Herbert
|10.18km from Pantai Moeraki Boulders

Top Things to Do in Hampden-2024

TOP 1
Moeraki Boulders Beach
Moeraki Boulders Beach
4.5/5 · 146 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,887 review
Highlights:
In the quiet and tranquil South Island of New Zealand, there is a place called Moeraki on the east coast. Whenever the sea ebbs, you will see more than 50 huge round stones protruding from the sea, saying that they are stones, it is better to say them A giant stone egg is more appropriate. Its round shape and magical inner structure make everyone who sees these stones have to sigh from the bottom of their hearts.
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TOP 2
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
4.6/5 · 86 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 994 review
Highlights:
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Conservation Center is located just minutes from the city center and is a convenient place to see blue penguins living in their natural environment. During peak season, more than 130 pairs of blue penguins homing in the conservation center, and sometimes more than 200 blue penguins arrive overnight. Our staff includes a marine biologist who conducts research into the various behaviours and breeding success of blue penguins. The conservation center provides two kinds of viewing: daytime viewing and dusk viewing. The daytime viewing is mainly to visit the penguin protection center, and to watch the little penguins that have not preyed at sea during the day in the dark room (BlueWing); the evening viewing is divided into ordinary seats and VIP seats. , the VIP seats are closer to the penguins, only about 2-5 meters. Twilight viewing provides Chinese and English commentary services.
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TOP 3
Larnach Castle
Larnach Castle
4.5/5 · 93 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,041 review
Highlights:
Lanark Castle is located on the Otago Peninsula and is New Zealand's only castle. The castle was built by William Lanark for his first wife, Eliza Jane Guise. There are forty-three rooms and a large ballroom in the castle. Its ornate carvings, intricate stonework, woodcarving, stucco and glassware are outstanding. Construction of the castle began in 1871, and it took two hundred workers five years to complete before the family moved in. After that, it took another 11 years for the decoration by European craftsmen, and the materials were taken from all over the world. Insider tip: William Larnach was a former minister in the British colonial government, banker, capitalist and business tycoon.
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TOP 4
Dunedin
Dunedin
4.6/5 · 77 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 11 review
Highlights:
In the mid-nineteenth century, the Scots built the city of Dunedin, which is now New Zealand's fourth largest city. The subsequent gold rush brought a large number of people and wealth to this young city. The whole city is dominated by Scottish architecture, so it is known as a city with Scottish style other than Scotland.
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TOP 5
Dunedin Railway Station
Dunedin Railway Station
4.6/5 · 192 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,426 review

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Hampden 1 Day Itinerary