The Otago Peninsula is a long, rugged indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin, New Zealand. The peninsula lies due east of Otago Harbour, and runs parallel to the mainland for 30 km. Its maximum width is 12 km. It is joined to the mainland at the south-west end by a narrow isthmus a little over 1 km in width.
The peninsula was formed at the same time as the hills which face it across the harbour, as part of the crater wall of a large - now long-extinct - volcano. Several of the peninsula's peaks (notably the aptly-named Harbour Cone).
Much of the peninsula is steep hill country, with the highest points being Mount Charles (408 m), Harbour Cone, and Sandymount. Two tidal inlets dominate the Pacific coast of the peninsula, Hoopers Inlet and Papanui Inlet. Between them is the headland of Cape Saunders. Nearby natural features include the 250-m-high cliffs of Lovers' Leap and The Chasm.
At its western end, the Otago Peninsula is suburban, containing several of Dunedin's inner suburbs (such as Vauxhall and Shiel Hill). For much of its length, however, only the strip adjacent to the Otago Harbour is heavily populated, with several small communities dotting its length. Largest of these are Macandrew Bay, Portobello, and Otakou, which was the site of the first permanent European settlement on the Harbour, and the site of an early whaling station.
At the entrance to the Otago Harbour the peninsula rises to Taiaroa Head, noted for a breeding colonyofNorthern Royal Albatrosses, the only colony of albatrosses to be found on an inhabited mainland. The viewing centre for the albatross colony is one of the peninsula's main ecotourism attractions, along with other wildlife such as seals and Yellow-eyed Penguins. Mich of the peninsula's land under the auspices of the Otago Peninsula Trust, and is maintained as a sanctuary for wildlife. Many species of seabirds in particular may be found around the tidal inlets, including spoonbills, plovers, and herons.
The Pacific coast of the peninsula includes several beaches which are far enough removed from Dunedin city to be sparseply populated even in mid-summer. these include Allan's Beach, Victory Beach and Sandfly Bay.
Victory Beach, named for the 19th century shipwreck of the Victory close to this coast, features a rock formation known locally as The Pyramids for their resemblance to the ancient egyptian buildings. Sandfly Bay (named not for the insect but for the sand blown up by the wind in this area) is reached via a path through some of New Zealand's tallest sand dunes, which rise for some 100 metres above the beach.
Other tourist attractions on the peninsula include Larnach Castle, a restored Armstrong 'disappearing' gun coastal defence post, and a war memorial tower. Impressive views of the city and surrounding country can be gained from Highcliff Road, which runs along the spine of the peninsula.
Dann, C. & Peat, N. (1989). Dunedin, North and South Otago. Wellington, NZ: GP Books. ISBN 0-477-01438-0.
