Okay, so you're a group that would like to come over to the island to do a spot of volunteering with us. Fantastic !

Winter 2011 Big Weekender season now complete - thanks to all the fantastic groups that did the 'Big Weekender'. We hope to see you back again next year in Winter 2012.

But here's an idea .... how about bringing your group over on Saturday morning, walk the tracks of Rangitoto and Motutapu, stay overnight on the island, volunteer with us on Sunday and make a real weekend it. Please note that this is a winter season activity only to coincide with our winter tree planting.

If you don't have your own boat, the only way to get to Motutapu (besides walking from the Rangitoto wharf) is on the Fullers ferry that sails only on our Public Volunteer Days Previously there was no overnight accommodation on Motutapu, your only option was to carry and pitch your tent at the Home Bay camp ground......

BUT NOW THERE IS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE!
(Thanks to a collaboration beween island Trust stakeholders - MRT and MOEC). 

 STOP PRESS
Tentative Dates for Winter 2012
16 June
14 July
28 July
18 Aug
15 Sep

Six Dates for Winter 2011
18th June Filling Fast!
16th July Booked Out !
30th July Filling fast
7th August Cancelled
20th August Filling fast
17th September Room available (canx as Auckland Heritage Festival tours on the island)

Pencil your date in with us now - email us

Special addition in 2011 - visit a restored 1920's heritage Rangitoto bach at Islington Bay and hear first hand the stories of summer holidays growing up on the island

But first things first and this is VERY IMPORTANT - Rangitoto and Motutapu are now pest free 
we need your help to keep it that way ! SEE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR THE ISLANDS BIOSECURITY CHECKLIST

HOW DOES THE BIG WEEKENDER WORK?

Read about the TzuChi BIG Weekend on the Island in July 2011

• The Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp (MOEC) van meets party at Rangitoto wharf and transports bags, drinks, provisions etc.. direct to the MOEC lodge.
• Group party walk to MOEC at Administration Bay,Motutapu via the Islington Bay road or the Coastal Track, then the MOEC-Islington Bay track on Motutapu (approx 3 hours - 4 hours if you take the Rangitoto Coastal Track option. If you want to do it all e.g summit Rangitoto, lunch at Islington Bay, visit the Trust Nursery on Motutapu, check out the underground WWII US Navy storage bunkers, visit West Point beach then you will need to allow 4.0 to 4.5 hours - planning to arrive at the lodge between 2.00 and 2.30pm).
• Your group then settles into the Lodge (a heritage building, the restored WWII Officers quarters).
•  In the afternoon you can watch a special 14minute screening of the 'Guns of Motutapu' in the camp audio/visual theatre. This DVD includes a stunning 3D imagery reconstruction of the WWII Motutapu gun battery after which you can check out the camp museum which is well worth a visit.
• Island exploring in the afternoon might include a walk along Administration, Pig and Sandy Bay beaches and/or a visit to the WWII gun emplacements and other military heritage structures. Billy Goat Point is the northern most point of the island and is around a 2 hour return journey walk.
• In the evening, light the log burner in the lounge then settle down and watch the sunset and dinner.
• Sunday morning, after breakfast and a lodge clean and tidy (should only take around 30 minutes if you all pitch in. You need to leave the Lodge exactly how you found it) you walk over to the Red Barn via the superb Rotary Centennial Track (through the 350,000 tree volunteer forest) to join the volunteers arriving off the ferry at 10.00am for the public volunteer day.
• The MOEC van will transport all your gear to the red barn which is a short stroll from the Home Bay wharf for the return ferry journey leaving at 3.30pm
• Groups will need to be 'self contained/self managed'. MOEC staff will provide a safety briefing upon arrival,collect payment and, prior to your departure, carry out a Lodge departure inspection but other than that, Groups are 'on your own'.
• NB: please note the standard of tidiness and cleanliness of the lodge upon arrival - this is the benchmark for the expected standard upon departure. If you have any concerns about the amount of cleaning and tidying of the lodge (i.e what exactly will be required/is expected, please discuss this with the MOEC staff member). We will provide you a cleaning checklist but when overnighting, we find that if you all 'clean up as you go' then the tidying up prior to departure should not be onerous.
  

MINIMUM GROUP SIZE?

We haven't quite worked this out yet but you will definitely need to be a group to make running this new arrangement worthwhile for all concerned. The lodge at MOEC sleeps 34 people across a number of rooms containing different bunk configurations. Check out the Lodge layout configuration below. Talk to us and we will see if we can't work something out.

WHAT WILL IT COST PER PERSON ?

The cost is $30 pp Adult ($20 for children)
covering overnight accommodation and all transfers of baggage and provisions. You bring all your own food, sleeping bag and personal requirements. You individually or collectively pay by cash or cheque to the Camp manager or MRT Weekender Guide upon arrival (after the safety briefing)

TELL US ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION?

The Lodge
is situated literally right on the waters edge at lovely Administration Bay, on the western side of the island. The Lodge sleeps 34 in 7 bunkrooms of 4-6 people each (see layout below).You may even get to see penguins coming and going (they usually arrive on the beach around 10.00pm, rest under the Lodge and head back out again around 4.00am. You need to be quiet, though, else they will stay out at sea). Check out the walking track to Administration Bay.

• This is a very attractive and well-positioned heritage building with wooden floors, decks and a fantastic location with superb views.
• The lodge is fully self-contained with kitchen facilities and a large dining area.  Plates, cutlery etc. are provided.
• 2 shower rooms, each with 2 showers
• 2 separate toilets.
• There is a BBQ on the Lodge deck for your use.
• A log burner is provided in the dining room during winter. Fire wood supply may be limited at some times of the year.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Simply Register your group to attend a volunteer day as per normal but make special mention that you want to do the BIG WEEKENDER!
We will take care of the organisation for you from there

Check out all the great walks you can do on the island

But first, check with your group and book as soon as you can as these WEEKEND OVERNIGHTER opportunities will book out fast 

 

HOT TIP FOR GROUPS OVERNIGHTING AT THE LODGE

How does the Rotary Club of Newmarket (RCON) cater when their group stay at the Lodge?

RCON are huge supporters of both MOEC and the Motutapu Restoration Trust.  They often come over to the island on projects and overnight at the Lodge. They've found the best way of solving those Saturday night dinner catering issues is to appoint 3 cooks and have a group meal. Preparing and cooking your own meal can get messy and busy in the kitchen. Besides, group meals are way more inclusive.

They suggest the following:

For Dinner:

• Bring potatoes
• Bring sausages, peas and salad
• Bring pizza

For Breakfast:

• Muesli, cereal and fruit - nice and simple

Remember the washing up party afterwards.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT - Biosecurity Checklist - Rangitoto and Motutapu are now pest free 
we need your help to keep it that way !

• Check bags for rodents,insects and other pests prior to boarding the ferry
• PLEASE Carry food in SEALED, rodent proof containers free from insects or in TAPED UP boxes
• All Bags MUST BE SEALED - no plastic bags, open top bags, supermarket bags or similar
• Check boots are CLEAN - no soil or seeds in laces or treads
• No dogs or domestic animals