School Visits

Many schools visit the Island for a day or longer for a school camp. We recommend an overnight or 2-3 day camp to ensure plenty of time to explore aspects of the Island. The charter boat operators also offer a discounted tour to the Otago Heads for schools. The University of Otago, Marine Science Centre is just across the water and offers exciting programmes.

See our Activities and Resources page for suggestions. We also have a Treasure Hunt Activity Teacher’s Guide & Zine (available on request) which was developed in 2023 by University of Otago Science Communication Intern, Janina Nakajima Castro.

For example, help with monitoring biodiversity and predators using different indicators, including tracking tunnels, chew cards, and bird counts.

Help re-establish native forest on the Island! Depending on the time of year, plant or care for native tree seedlings.

Explore history through the Island’s geology, ecology prior to human inhabitants, Kai Tahu use of the Island, the Island’s history as a quarantine station during early Otago settlement by Europeans. The historic Married Quarters building (1873) is a great place to bring history alive.

The Island is a great place for thinking about sustainability and the resources we often take for granted. How can we be good guardians of our planet, for example reduce waste going to landfill? Do a beach-clean-up and see what has washed up.