Real wildlife tours on the Otago Peninsula with one of New Zealand’s most respected wildlife tour companies, Natures Wonders
Authentic encounters. Future-focused conservation. Real impact.
Natures Wonders, located on the spectacular Otago Peninsula headland, offers immersive wildlife tours that bring you close to penguins, fur seals, and albatross in their natural world - no cages, no crowds, and no interference. Just pure nature. Every visit directly supports our hands-on conservation work, from restoring native bush to protecting endangered species.
Whether you’re looking for a close encounter with nature, a small-group Argo safari, an eco-conscious venue for a special occasion, or a peaceful moment in our cafe overlooking the ocean, Natures Wonders creates experiences that connect you to the land—and help protect it. Get in touch to book a tour or talk to us about corporate event or wedding venue options.
Meet the family behind the mission - A local legacy, decades in the making
Natures Wonders is proudly owned and operated by Perry and Tracey Reid, and are assisted by their son Martin as well as extended family members. Perry grew up on a farm, and has been married to Tracey for 46 years. Together, the Reids have transformed the property into a haven for both native wildlife and eco-conscious visitors.
This is not a commercial venture run from afar. When you visit, you’re meeting the very people who built this experience—by hand, by heart, and by choice. We’ve cleared gorse, planted thousands of native trees, installed predator-proof fencing, and spent thousands of volunteer hours creating safe havens for yellow-eyed penguins, blue penguins, seals, cormorants, and more. Our belief is simple: if you want nature to thrive, you must give it a helping hand.
What you’ll experience at Natures Wonders
Natures Wonders offer a range of small and large group experiences with a focus on conservation and guided by local knowledge:
- Wildlife Argo Safaris – Ride in 8-wheel Argo vehicles across private land, with guaranteed penguin sightings during breeding season.
- Penguin and Seal Tours – Observe rare yellow-eyed, blue penguins and NZ fur seals in their natural habitat throughout the day—not just at dusk.
- Albatross Viewing - cruise on our private charter boat to spot albatross, seabirds, and sealife.
- Tailored Charter Experiences – Fishing trips and group bookings, including exclusive cruise passenger tours.
We also offer beautiful spaces to relax, dine, celebrate, or connect:
- Private Venue – Book the most unique event space for your wedding, corporate function, or special occasion.
- Café with an Ocean View – Dine in our sustainable, oceanfront café with panoramic views of the Pacific.
Driven by conservation - everything we do comes back to protecting the land
Located on what David Bellamy called “one of the finest examples of eco-tourism in the world,” Natures Wonders is completely self-funded.
Every dollar raised supports:
- A year-round predator control programme
- Thousands of native trees planted to restore habitat
- Daily habitat care and wildlife monitoring
- Education and partnerships with schools and conservation groups
We never feed or tag the animals. We never cage or test. Our goal is to let wildlife live freely, just as nature intended. We have erected kilometres of predator-proof fencing around the property, particularly along the beaches to protect the penguins. As the habitat is protected more, and the trees grow, we are seeing an increase in native birds including the NZ wood pigeon (Kererū), tui, bellbird (Korimako), morepork (Ruru) and pukeko.
If you’d like to help beyond your visit, donations to our conservation fund are gratefully accepted. These go directly to on-the-ground protection efforts—no red tape, no outside funding, just action.
If you’d like to help beyond your visit, donations to our conservation fund are gratefully accepted. These go directly to on-the-ground protection efforts—no red tape, no outside funding, just action.
Where traditional farming meets environmental stewardship
Natures Wonders is a fully operational sheep farm, home to up to 1500 Perendale stock units raised for wool and meat. Farming is part of daily life here, with Perry and his son Martin often spotted mustering sheep, crutching, drenching, or shearing.
However, as our conservation work has become an increasing priority, sheep numbers are being gradually reduced to allow for expanded habitat restoration, transforming parts of the farmland into thriving natural sanctuaries. This evolving balance between farming and environmental care has become a model for how the two can work hand-in-hand in modern New Zealand.
Join our journey
Every visit to Natures Wonders supports a dream that began with a single family and a shared mission: to protect, restore, and share one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Contact us to plan your visit, book a tour, arrange your event, or learn how you can support our conservation mission.
Awards and global recognition - Natures Wonders acknowledged for our conservation contribution
The work at Natures Wonders has earned both local and international recognition. The Reid family's authentic, boots-on-the-ground approach to conservation has been honoured with awards including the World Harmony Award, Peace Blossom Award, as well as multiple community service awards.
Our efforts have also captured global attention, with 28 international documentary film crews visiting the property to showcase its success story. Natures Wonders is also a proud partner of Princess Cruise Line, offering exclusive wildlife tours that give international visitors a chance to experience real conservation in action.