Sandfly Bay
Ōrau
A wild bay on the south side of the Otago Peninsula, home to giant sand dunes, sea lions, and the rare yellow-eyed penguin.
Ōrau (Sandfly Bay) lies on the south coast of the Otago Peninsula. It is a nature reserve managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is free to visit. From the car park, the trail first descends a huge dune about 100 m high before reaching a long beach. When the wind is strong, grains of sand sting your legs like sandflies, which is how the bay got its name. New Zealand sea lions often bask on the sand, and New Zealand fur seals lie on the rocks. At the far end of the beach there is a viewing hide. In the evening, you can watch from a distance as the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), one of the rarest penguins in the world, comes ashore from the sea to its nest. The round trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The climb back up the dune is tiring, so wear sneakers, carry water, and bring a windproof jacket. Keep at least 10 m away from sea lions, and never approach them or stand between them and the sea. When watching penguins, stay inside the hide and wait quietly. For a closer look at the yellow-eyed penguins, you can join a guided tour of a private conservation reserve on the peninsula, such as Penguin Place.
Opening hours
All day (daytime recommended)
Nearby sights
- Otago Peninsula
- Larnach Castle
- Allans Beach
- Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
- Port Chalmers
- Signal Hill Lookout
- Baldwin Street
- Mount Cargill & Organ Pipes