Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve
Bushy Beach
A cliff reserve south of town where, in the evening, you can watch rare yellow-eyed penguins come ashore from a viewing hut, with sea lions often on the beach.
Bushy Beach lies about 2 km south of the penguin habitat. A viewing hut on the clifftop lets you watch Hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins), one of the world's most endangered penguin species, come ashore in the evening to return to their nests. Bring binoculars. To protect the penguins, access to the beach is closed after 3 pm. New Zealand sea lions often sunbathe on the sand, so keep at least 20 metres away from them. Entry is free, and you can walk along the clifftop path to the penguin habitat.
Opening hours
Open all day; beach access closed after 15:00
Nearby sights
- Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony
- Steampunk HQ
- Victorian Precinct
- Forrester Gallery
- Ōamaru Opera House
- Ōamaru Public Gardens
- Totara Estate
- Riverstone Castle