A Dunedin Railways locomotive rolled up to the end of the line at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony for the first time yesterday, after a brief stop at the town's Victorian Precinct, with 140 people on board keen to experience Oamaru's most popular tourist attraction.
Oamaru Steam and Rail Society general manager Harry Andrew was delighted the Dunedin-based train was able to get to the colony, after weeks of planning and preparation.
The society's own train makes the trip from Harbourside Station in Itchen St to the colony and back several times every Sunday, but Mr Andrew said yesterday's trip was something special.
"It's great. I told you it would happen,'' he said.
Delegates who had been in Dunedin for the 10th International Penguin Conference at the University of Otago watched blue penguins coming ashore last night, a sight many had looked forward to.
Among them was Ramunas Zydelis, of Lithuania, who spoke at the conference about the interaction between fish and seabirds.
He expressed excitement about seeing Oamaru's famous birds in action and Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony research scientist Philippa Agnew said that feeling was widespread.
"They'll just enjoy the viewing. It's really a mid-conference break field trip to come and see the penguins.''
There were "lots of reasons'' blue penguins attracted attention from international experts, she said.
"I think blue penguins in general are quite interesting. They are charismatic animals and people like to study them, and come here and try to help them.''
The conference started on Friday and ends tomorrow.
