Located in the Canterbury region
Easy grades make the walks on this island suitable for small children and family groups.
Ship graveyard on Ōtamahua/Quail Island Image: Abi | Creative Commons
Heritage Centre on Quail Island/Ōtamahua Image: Abi | Creative Commons
View from Quail Island/Ōtamahua Image: Abi | Creative Commons
At the northern point of the island there is a bird observation barricade.
Birds such as black-backed/karoro and red-billed gulls/tarāpunga, white-flippered penguins/kororā, terns, shags and oystercatchers are often seen from the observation point. Fantails/pīwakawaka and grey warblers/riroriro are present on the island.
Banks Peninsula tree weta have recently been transferred to the island. You may see custom-built weta homes attached to the trunks of manuka trees.
Ōtamahua/Quail Island lies within Te Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour, close to Christchurch City.
Black Cat Cruises operates a (cash only) ferry service from Lyttelton Wharf. Check their schedule and make sure you know when the last ferry leaves Quail Island.
You can make your own way by canoe, kayak or private boat. Whakamaru (Swimmers) beach, Skiers Beach or Walkers Beach are the recommended places to land/launch. Take care as there are shallow areas, and mud flats at low tide. The majority of the island’s coast is unsuitable for landings.
The wharf is not suitable for overnight mooring (as per signage).
Ōtamahua / Quail Island is at times subject to extreme fire danger. If a fire breaks out on the island:
Look after the island
Camping on the island for approved groups
Overnight camping on the island is available for approved groups at Whakamaru Beach (swimmers beach), and Skiers Beach. Contact the DOC Ōtautahi / Christchurch Visitor Centre.
The island is 81 ha in area, with a high point of 86 metres. It lies in the flooded crater of an extinct volcano - Te Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour.
There were two rock quarries on the island. The columnar basaltic rock was used as ballast by early sailing ships returning home without cargo. Rhyolite stone was also quarried from above Walkers Beach by ‘hard labour gangs’ of prisoners brought over from the mainland. The stone was used to build walls and terraces along the foreshore which can be still seen today.
Birds such as black-backed/karoro and red-billed gull/tarāpunga, white-flippered penguins/kororā, terns, shags and oystercatchers are often seen from the observation point. Fantails/pīwakawaka and grey warblers/ iroriro are present on the island.
Banks Peninsula tree weta have recently been transferred to the island - you may see custom-built weta homes attached to the trunks of manuka trees.
On warm summer days you’re likely to spot resident lizards like geckos and skinks.
The Ōtamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust and DOC are working to establish native vegetation and re-introduce native wildlife. A maintained network of traps protects the island from introduced predators, with the exception of mice. The island has been free of possums, rabbits, cats, hedgehogs, mustelids and rats since 2006.
Ōtamahua/Quail Island is a place rich in history and culture and boasts a number of local, and national historic sites. See history of Ōtamahua/Quail Island.
Ōtautahi / Christchurch Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 3 379 4082 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | christchurchvc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
28 Worcester Boulevard Christchurch 8013 |
Postal Address: |
Private Bag 11089 Christchurch 8013 |
Full office details |