Taiaroa Head

Taiaroa Head is a headland at the end of the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand, overlooking the mouth of the Otago Harbour. It lies within the city limits of Dunedin. The nearest settlement, Otakou, lies three kilometres to the south.

The cape is home to a lighthouse, built in 1864, and a colony of over 100 Northern Royal Albatrosses, which established itself in 1919 - the only such colony on an inhabited mainland. There is also the Royal Albatross Centre.

A small beach, Pilots Beach, is located just inside the harbour entrance to the south of the head, and many forms of marine life, such as New Zealand Fur seals and Hooker's Sea Lions are often to be seen. At Pilots beach is the largest colony of little or blue penguins remaining on the Otago Peninsula. Nearby are important breeding habitats of the threatened yellow-eyed penguin. There may also be seen a number of Dusky dolphins, Orcas and migratory large whales such as Southern Rights and Humpbacks. Their sightings in these areas are on the increase. The part of Taiaroa Head where Northern Royal Albatrosses breed is managed by the NZ Department of Conservation as a Nature Reserve with restricted entry. On adjacent land the Otago Peninsula Trust manage a visitor centre and run guided tours into the Nature Reserve. Pilots Beach is managed as a Recreation reserve by the Dunedin City.