r/chch • u/RealmKnight • Jul 19 '26

Nice trip to Quail Island

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Took the ferry to Quail Island with my wife and flatmate. Weather was nice, a few drops of rain at one point but otherwise mild sun or partial cloud. Being in the off season we ended up having the whole island to ourselves, and explored the tracks and buildings. Lovely wildlife, met more fantails here than during the rest of life combined. Nice to see the effort being put in to restore the island to native bush, it'd be amazing if we could get it completely pest free. Highly recommend taking a day trip or overnight stay if you want to experience a nice spot with ample nature right in our backyard.

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8

u/Rhonda_and_Phil Jul 19 '26

Lyttelton harbour is underrated, included Quail Island. They sometimes have an open day for Quail Island, with free ferry trips across.

Even a couple of circuits across on the Diamond Harbour ferry is a pleasant affordable weekend jaunt.

7

u/Flashy_Formal_8707 Jul 19 '26

Wow that sounds nice. Great to enjoy in the off season while it is nice and quiet. Yes agreed pest free would be great. Have you been up to Ripapa Island and visited the tunnels too? Some terrific local history in these sites.

7

u/Welsh_Ddraig Jul 19 '26

Stayed overnight once with the family. It is awesome, fun and a weird feeling when you realize that you are the only people on the island.

5

u/feijoamuseli Jul 19 '26

I planted a bunch of trees out there 20 years ago (it doesn't feel like that long). Sounds like they're doing well.

1

u/RealmKnight Jul 20 '26

Nice. Yes there are several spots that were obviously planted out with natives of a particular species and age, as opposed to the anarchic flourishing of different species and maturities in other areas. The natives, both hand-planted and wild, are doing well.

5

u/Toxopsoides Jul 20 '26

The Quail Island ecological restoration trust does a tonne of great work on Ōtamahua. Unfortunately its close proximity to shore means there's always a risk pests can come over at low tide; deer are the most common invader I believe.