About Rotoroa Island
an island apart
A unique arts, heritage and conservation island. Nestled among a chain of islets off Waiheke’s east coast is Rotoroa Island, for 100 years, off limits to all but those going there for alcohol or drug rehabilitation in the care of the Salvation Army. Now operated by the Rotoroa Island Trust, this unique island re-opened in 2011, thanks to the generosity of philanthropists who negotiated a 99-year lease to allow public access and the island’s redevelopment.
Just a 75 minute trip from Auckland, Rotoroa combines a rich social history with beautiful beaches, walking trails, heritage buildings, art, and a state-of-the-art exhibition centre which tells the story of the island’s history.
Explore the heart of the old Salvation Army settlement, including the jail, chapel and school house. Visit the island’s exhibition centre detailing the island’s unique history and conservation programme. Swim or picnic at one of four beautiful sandy beaches, explore walking trails among regenerating bush or stroll to the landmark Chris Booth sculpture on the island’s southern headland.
Accommodation
Rotoroa Island offers some delightful upmarket holiday homes which all have fantastic views, are renovated to a high standard in vibrant vintage style and have all the comforts of home. To find out more and book, visit: http://www.rotoroa.org.nz/accommodation.aspx
Bookings to Rotoroa are essential.
For more information on Rotoroa visit www.rotoroa.org.nz
Help look after the island
Rotoroa is a predator free island, so all animals are prohibited. A pest eradication programme is on-going.
Getting to Rotoroa
360 Discovery run services to Rotoroa on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays via the Coromandel ferry service.
What to bring
- Walking shoes, sunblock and a sun hat
- Swimming gear and towels
- Cell phone access and fresh water are available on the island
What to do
- visit the chapel, with its steps whitewashed to the Superintendent's instructions
- 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 butchery
- visit the exhibition centre
- walk to the island’s cemetery and contemplate views of Ponui Island and the 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 - prepare a lunch and cook it at one of the island's free bbqs
- view 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 soon to be installed on the island’s southern headland
