What to See and Do
Spend a day on Rotoroa and soak up the special atmosphere of this lovely island; swim, picnic, walk and relax.
What to do
- visit the chapel, with its remnants of island worship;
- explore the jail house where inebriated inmates were left to
'dry-out' on admission;
- see the 1860s school house which doubled as a tea house plus
the community's old buttery;
- visit the exhibition centre;
- walk to the island's cemetery and contemplate views of Ponui
Island and Hauraki Gulf;
- swim and picnic at one of the island's four beautiful sandy
beaches;
- prepare a lunch and cook it at one of the island's free
bbqs;
- visit the mast from the vessel Tiri II, Radio Hauraki's pirate
radio ship which broadcast from the Gulf and which was eventually
decommissioned on the island;
- explore walking trails among regenerating native bush;
- take your kids fishing from the wharf at Home Bay or try
catching a snapper from the rocks of one of the island's bays;
- visit the seven metre high Chris Booth sculpture on the
island's southern headland.
What to bring
- Walking shoes, sunblock and a sun hat;
- Swimming gear and towels;
- Food and snacks as there is no food for sale on the
island;
- And while it is fine to bring alcohol with you, please respect
the island's heritage as an alcohol and drug addiction centre, by
drinking in moderation.
Please note
- Camping is not permitted on the island;
- Bicycles are not permitted on the island;
- Domestic animals including dogs, are not permitted on the
island. For more information on the island's biosecurity measures,
please see
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