Wild Dunedin: Explore Quarantine Island

Take the Port to Port Ferry from Port Chalmers at 9 am or Portobello at 9.30 is on Saturday 24 April to meet the Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community working to rewild the island.

Hear stories of its recent history and explore the island, or help with planting and weeding.

The ferry returns to Port Chalmers at 12 pm and to Portobello at 12.30 pm.

Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua is halfway between Taiaroa Head and the city, a stone’s throw from both Portobello and Port Chalmers.

Meghan Hughes, the current island Keeper (Resident Manager) and her whanau, Gareth, Zoe and Arlo, have been living on the island since July 2020 (pictured below).

Meghan is the face of the Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community Incorporated charity which helps care for the island jointly with the Department of Conservation, while welcoming people from the wider community to visit and get involved.

This is a special trip arranged for Wild Dunedin by Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours. On the way to the island the skipper, who could be the owner, Rachel McGregor, will tell you some of the maritime history connected with the island.

You are invited to lend a helping hand to assist their rewilding efforts by clearing grass around plantings... or plant a tree.

Rewild yourself and take time to enjoy being on an island in the middle of our harbour.