From SH1 in Palmerston, turn onto Tiverton St and carry on down onto Goodwood Rd. Wind your way along Goodwood Rd, until Bobby’s Head Rd, where you’ll find parking for Tavora Reserve. This reserve is managed by the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust and is home to a small population of critically endangered yellow-eyed penguins.
From the carpark, walk beside the creek to the beach then follow the track up the hill to Bobby’s Head. This is a beautiful coastal walk with impressive vistas down the Otago coastline, sheer cliffs and interesting wildlife. The walk then heads away from the cliffs, through a paddock joining a road which heads back to the car park.
While you can access the beach at Tavora Reserve, it is requested you do not go onto the beach after 3pm or this will disrupt the penguins from coming ashore. Instead, watch from up the hill – there are even benches there for you. To learn more about the plight of the YEPs or to get involved, visitwww.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz
Note: The reserve is closed to the public over the penguin breeding season (November to February).