We will be travelling to the South Island in Nov and want to see the penguins. Any suggestions as to a good place to stay [private bathroom a MUST - no camping!] in the Otago area? Also what kind of weather might we expect?

We were there in November 2000. Lovely weather. We stayed at the Aberdeen motel in Dunedin. Any number of day tours of the peninsula are available.
John

Here are a few sites you might want to check out:

http://lodgings.co.nz/thecottage.html

http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/southe...ago_southland/ otago_peninsula.htm

http://otago-peninsula.co.nz/accommodation.html

http://www.newzealandsites.com/regio...and-breakfast/

If you really want to have a fantastic penguin viewing experience, then visit the yellow-eyed penguin reserve on the Otago Peninsula. If you want an even more incredible penguin viewing experience, then travel north from Dunedin to the lovely town of Oamaru to view the blue or fairy penguins as they return from the sea at sunset.

The town of Oamaru sponsors the Blue Penguin Viewing area every evening. They charge a small admission fee ($4.00 NZ each) to sit in the bleachers and watch the penguins. We were absolutlely mesmerized and considered this experience one of the top highlights of our trip to the South Island. We were there on December 1 (peak penguin season) and watched approximately 132 penguins that evening.

Oamaru is really a lovely town. There are lots of motels, one camping area (with cabins to rent), and at least one nicer hotel. We stayed at the Avenue Motel and paid $65.00 NZ or $27.94 US for a night's accomodation. We had a unit with a living room with two sofas/beds, full kitchen, bedroom with a queen bed and a single bed, and a bathroom. The owners were very helpful and provided us with brochures and information about the penguins and the town.

Oamaru is midway or so between Dunedin and Christchurch on Highway 1. The town has at least two large grocery stores, a theater, and other attractions.

Thank you for all the input! It is so hard to put together all the right elements when you can only spend limited time there & you don't want to miss anything!

Hello
I can reccomend 2 places enroute from dunedin to visit the penguins.
First is a bed and breakfast overlooking the sea, owned by a wildlife photographer and his wife-great company. see [email protected]
Also a cottage for 2 in a similar [email protected].
Weather in November should be great-wonderful time for gardens in the South Island.
If you would like some more info or advice , I am very haooy to email you.
We have lived and travelled in many countries, but to drive through the South Island still awes me!
amaryllis