What’s On!
We host many public events on the Island. You can hire one of our spaces and run your own event on the island. We have corporate planning days, yoga retreats, school events and health retreats run by people like you.
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. 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.
Welcome Days
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 2026: Saturday 26 September; 31 October; 28 November.
Join us for some volunteering motu mahi, and/or explore, relax and recharge on Kamautaurua with Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community Inc. on our next Welcome day. If you would like to come along, please complete the sign-up form below.
We greatly appreciate your $5 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. This donation is included
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 booking form. The boat return cost is included in your booking fee. 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.
If you are coming over on a Welcome day you can stay overnight in the lodge. The night sky from the top of the Island is awe-inspiring!
What to Bring
Bring food to share or a packed lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, sturdy footwear and clothing suitable for the changing island conditions – cold, wet, windy, sunny. You may also like to bring your togs, if you’re keen! 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.
Self Guided Walking Tours
It takes about 40 minutes to do the circuit. Some parts of the bush track are a little rough. Pick up our self-guided walking tour map at the gateway at the end of the wharf. A $5 donation for each brochure is appreciated, which can be placed in the box next to the brochures. Or download it below complimentary.
If you would like to know more about the Island’s vegetation, download the wonderful ecological trail map made for us by Paulina and Pearl Barry, two talented young American women who volunteered on the Island in 2019. Paulina updated the map in April 2025.
Download the Island Brochure here.
Download the 2026 Self Guided Walking Map here.
Download the 2024 Self Guided Walking Map here.
Download the Self Guided WW1 Walking Tour here.
Download the Ecological Trail Map here.
Download Kuini’s Walking Tour here.
Got a mobile phone? Follow this guided walking tour on your mobile phone.
Volunteering
Sign Up as a Volunteer here to hear when these opportunities are coming up. Boat subsidies are available for volunteers.
Bird Count Days
Join us for Bird Counts on the Island which consist of 5-minute bird counts at nine sites around the island. We do this in Autumn (April-May) and Spring (October-December). If you think you might be interested in being involved, or would like more information please contact us.
Download the Bird ID Flashcards here.
Download the Bird Count Sheet here.