Ōtamahua/Quail Island Recreation Reserve
Located in the Canterbury region
Introduction
Ōtamahua/Quail Island is an inner harbour island, reached via a short ferry ride from Lyttelton. It's Canterbury’s largest island but is easily explored in a day.Highlights
Easy grades make the walks on this island suitable for small children and family groups.
Image gallery
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Ship graveyard on Ōtamahua/Quail Island Image: Abi | Creative Commons
![View from Quail Island.]( "View from Quail Island.")
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Heritage Centre on Quail Island/Ōtamahua Image: Abi | Creative Commons
![Heritage Centre on Quail Island.]( "Heritage Centre on Quail Island.")
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View from Quail Island/Ōtamahua Image: Abi | Creative Commons
![View from Quail Island.]( "View from Quail Island.")
Video
Find things to do and places to stay Ōtamahua/Quail Island Recreation Reserve
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 Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour, close to Christchurch City.
Black Cat Cruises operates a regular ferry service from Lyttelton Wharf. Ensure you know when the last ferry leaves Quail Island to get back to Lyttelton. Once you’ve booked, you'll get a discount code for Black Cat Cruises. Black Cat Cruises schedule and fees.
Alternatively, you can make your own way to the Island by canoe, kayak or private boat.
Whakamaru (Swimmers) beach, Skiers Beach or Walkers Beach are the recommended places to land/launch canoes or kayaks. There is also plenty of room to pull up a boat. Care is required as these areas will be shallow or mud flats at low tide. The majority of the island’s coast is unsuitable for landings. Check the weather forecast before you leave for the island.
The wharf is not suitable for overnight mooring.
- Toilets are located at Whakamaru Beach (swimmers beach), Skiers Beach and the Ōtamahua Hut.
- Most track surfaces on the island are evenly graded or grassed, but sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Some tracks used by the Ōtamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust for planting access. Stay on marked tracks to avoid stepping on new plants and for your own personal safety.
- Parts of the island are very exposed. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.
- There are precipitous unfenced cliffs. Supervise small children at all times.
- There is a danger of windfall or treefall in high or gusty wind conditions.
Ōtamahua / Quail Island is at times subject to extreme fire danger. If a fire breaks out on the island:
- Head to the nearest beach or coastal area, if it is safe to do so.
- If you have a mobile, dial 111 for fire.
Look after the island
- No fires except gas-fired BBQs in the picnic area on Whakamaru Beach (swimmers beach).
- All animals and firearms are prohibited.
- All wildlife, plants, natural and historic features are protected.
- Take home your rubbish.
- No unauthorised vehicles (including mountain bikes) allowed.
- There are bait stations and predator traps. Read the warning signs on the wharf and around the island.
- Do not remove rocks from the sea wall along the beach.
- Camping is permitted only in designated areas.
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.
Geology
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.
Wildlife
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.
Check you are pest-free
Check, clean, and seal your gear to ensure you don't bring pests, soil, and seeds.
Contacts
| 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 | |
