On the last Saturday of each month, we have a Welcome Day. We organise boat transport and you can stay until the afternoon or overnight. Welcome Days for 2025: 25 January, 22 February, 29 March, 26 April, 31 May, 28 June, 26 July, 30 August, 27 September, 25 October, 29 November,
Our next Welcome Day is Saturday 25 January 2024. Please join us!
Register for our next Welcome DayWhat can you do on the Welcome Days?
Many people come to the Island for time out to explore, relax, walk the track around the island, connect with nature or enjoy interesting conversations. Depending on the interests of the group, we often have very knowledgeable Community members on hand to offer guided tours, including tales of the quarantine station, the construction and restoration of the buildings, the ecology and history of the island. We also undertake a project or two on the day which you are most welcome to be involved in. There is something for everyone, to suit their age, fitness, and interests. If you have specific skills or expertise you are happy to share, please let us know. Find out more about volunteering here.
Koha
We would greatly appreciate a $5 minimum donation per person to Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua. Our charity runs the facilities on the Island and the ecological restoration work in the reserve and 100% of every contribution is put towards these projects. We usually collect this with your boat fee when you board the boat.
How to Get Here
The boat pick up is at 9.30am (Spring/Summer) or 10am (Autumn/Winter) from Back Beach Port Chalmers (or Portobello pontoon by arrangement) returning at about 3.30pm. Please use the single parks on the road outside of the Back Beach Yacht Club carpark if coming for the day or overnight. A pick-up on the Portobello side is usually possible by prior arrangement. Please indicate if you’d like a Portobello pickup on your registration form. The charter boat is $20 or $25 return for an adult and children 13 years or older (secondary school-age). For primary-school age children (12 or under) it is $15 or $20 return. Under 5’s no charge. We collect this on behalf of the boat operator on the day. Please bring cash. We may have boat subsidies available for those helping with our biodiversity project.
Dunedin buses can be taken to and from Port Chalmers. Allow about 10 minutes to walk from the township of Port Chalmers to Back Beach. Alternatively, we may be able to help organise ride-share. Please let us know on your registration form if you need, or can offer a ride. We will email the day before to confirm the event is going ahead and to provide you with up-to-date information including ride-sharing. Please do not come if you are unwell and let us know if you can’t make it.
Staying Overnight
Visitors are usually able to stay overnight in the lodge, returning Sunday afternoon. The night sky on top of the Island is awe-inspiring! If you would like to stay overnight please visit this page. Whether it’s your first time on the island, or you are coming back again – we look forward to seeing you.
What to Bring
Bring a plate to share or a packed lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the changing island conditions – cold, wet, windy, sunny. We’ll provide tea and coffee. We usually go whatever the weather (unless there are very strong winds), so wear gear appropriate for the forecast. We have a kitchen and toilet facilities on the island.