Hop onboard the ferry to go to Quarantine Island where Expert on the topic and Maritime Historian, Charles Clark, leads a fascinating talk and viewing experience.......

"This event is for anyone curious about the highly visible remains of the two old ships at Quarantine Island; how, where and from what the vessels were built, their sailing histories and how they and others in the harbour came to be abandoned as trash. Both were built well over 100 years old, with Waikana being a slightly scaled down version of the celebrated TSS Earnslaw."

(Charles Clark)

There, on the shore of Quarantine island lye the SS Waikana (former harbour ferry and sister ship of Earnslaw) and Oreti (former bulk carrier. You will receive an insightful commentary as we cruise to Quarantine Island where local expert on the topic, Charles Clark takes over to lead a talk and discussion. Charles is a maritime historian with a particular interest in 19th-century vessels. He leads an indepth talk and discussion on the original and historic building methods of these and other historical ship. 

Charles also talks about the working history of the vessels and later an attempted deconstruction, once decommissioned and abandoned on the shore in 1930's.

The hulks are easily visible on low tide, where they lye exposed and able to be viewed while Charles points out their materials and explains the building methods.

There will be time for questions throughout the experience.

The talk will continue as we walk up a steep, but short track to the married quarters to see a model of Waikana and you can appreciate the history of Quarantine Island while we are here.

Afterwards you will have some free time to browse the artifacts at the museum including lanterns and other items from some of the old ships that came into Port Chalmers since 1848.

Or visit the chapel or spend time outdoors enjoying the views of the harbour.

Tickets include return ferry trip, the talk by expert Charles Clark, free time on Quarantine Island. A donation to the island is included in every ticket purchased.

We depart from Back Beach in Port Chalmers at 10:00am.

We depart from Quarantine Island at 12pm to return to Port Chalmers

If you would like to join from Portobello please write this in your notes and we will advise exact pick up time directly with you.

Limited spaces.

Please dress warmly in-case of cold or wet weather. If the weather is really cold or wet, we may spend more time in the married quarters rather than in the weather for more of the tour time. You are welcome to leave the group and find shelter at any time in the buildings however.

Bathroom onboard the vessel and on the island.

Feel free to bring own snacks and drinks/thermos.

Recommended for adults only. However children are welcome to join, but they may get bored!!! 

Unless they are 'old souls'....:)

Dunedin NZ photo credit included

PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING:

Joining this tour requires a reasonable level of physical ability, as there will be a short ladder climb to get ashore from the boat, approx 1.5 metres. Most people, including elderly, handle this fine, we just take our time. It is advisable that you have enough strength in both arms to be able to support your own body weight as you climb the ladder. Because we need the tide to be quite low for this experience to be at its best, there is no other option to access the island an easier way!

Once on the island there is a short but steep walk, on an uneven pathway to get to the historic building for the second part of the experience.

HOWEVER, here is an options if you think physical ability could be a struggle for you:

Come another day instead, when the tide is higher and no/little ladder climb will be required. Please email us info@porttoport.co.nz so we can find you an option, for you to visit another day and see the wrecks. Low tide is best viewing, high tide you can still see them, but less detail.

For cancellations we will require 72 hours notice for refunds or changes.

Dunedin NZ photo credit included