Visiting Rotoroa Island
Rotoroa Island is a sanctuary for wildlife and home to endangered native species including kiwi, tīeke, takahē, pāteke and skinks.
For over 100 years, Rotoroa Island was an island apart, off-limits to all but a few souls isolated there for alcohol and drug rehabilitation in the care of The Salvation Army.
Today Rotoroa Island is a wildlife sanctuary, a place where curious explorers can uncover fascinating stories and beautiful beaches. Experience first hand the conservation of iconic New Zealand species. And escape to somewhere truly special for the day, or overnight.
Opening Hours
Rotoroa Island is open daily from dawn until dusk
Our island facilities are open 10am - 5pm daily (except Christmas day)
On Christmas day, you're welcome to come and explore our sanctuary, however the facilities will not be open.
Transport to Rotoroa Island
Just over an hour from downtown Auckland, Rotoroa Island is accessible by scheduled ferry with Explore, water-taxi, private boat, kayak, helicopter, or even seaplane.
Important Information for Visitors
A Sanctuary for Everyone
COVID-19 We are taking precautions to protect our people and visitors, please take time to read our COVID-19 Update page before you visit. We encourage masks to be worn inside public buildings
- Mobile phone coverage
- Toilets available
- Drinking Fountain available
- Island maps available
- Electric BBQs available to use
- Do not light fires, no smoking
- Accommodation available
- Camping is not permitted
- No dogs or domestic animals
- Bicycles & scooters not permitted
- Day visitors take their rubbish home
- Biosecurity measures in effect
We look forward to welcoming you; here's a brief intro to our facilities:
Accommodation - our retro restored Mahoe Oranga and Serenity holiday homes and Super's house
Guided Walks - an great intro to Rotoroa island with one of our rangers, we offer guided nature walks, 15 people max.
Exhibition Centre (and Museum) - our small museum sharing stories from the island's fascinating history
Kiosk - our small store offers a selection of soft drinks, ice blocks and conservation books, open 1 hour before ferry departs
Toilets - our super clean toilets are often mentioned in visitor reviews. Ladies Bay and central island toilets (at the Exhibition Centre) are open; the locations can be seen on this map.
A full list of things to do on Rotoroa Island can be found here
Total Fire Ban on Rotoroa
All Hauraki Gulf islands are in a prohibited fire season. Fire is a serious threat to the Hauraki Gulf Islands because of very dry conditions and the extended response time that it may take for emergency services to get to an island based fire. The Hauraki Gulf Islands are in a prohibited fire season (total fire ban). Conservation Islands (including Rotoroa) remain in a Prohibited Fire Season (total fire ban) at all times. Please help minimise this risk by not lighting fires, reporting any that you see and by not smoking on Conservation Islands.
Biosecurity
Help us protect our wildlife and keep Rotoroa predator free by following our biosecurity measures - No Dogs, Bags must be sealed (fully closed), more info.
Pricing and Admission - Our Day Pass (Landing Fee)
The island is run by Rotoroa Island Trust (a NZ registered charity) which is inspired by connecting people with conservation. We receive no government or council funding so rely on visitors paying their $5 daily pass or boaties ‘annual pass’ to help fund our island restoration. It’s an honesty box system; payable online or in our actual honesty boxes in Ladies Bay or at the entrance to our museum. Ferry visitors - this is included in your ticket. Thanks in advance for your support!
