Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Canterbury > Banks Peninsula - Lyttleton Harbour > Ripapa Island Historic Reserve

Ripapa Island Historic Reserve

Location

Southern shores of Lyttelton Harbour (Whakaraupo), near Christchurch. The island is only accessible by boat.

Guided tours by Black Cat Tours, Ph +64 3 328 9078. Tours are for parties numbering 16+ and are by arrangement only.

Description

Fort Jervois and big guns

One of four sites used to defend Lyttleton Harbour, Ripapa Island was built in response to the perceived "Russian scare". The walled fort, dating from 1886, survives today and is the most complete "Russian scare" fort in New Zealand. Of particular significance are two large disappearing guns, still virtually complete, which very rare examples of their kind. The fort was occupied by the army until the end of World War I and re-occupied again during World War II.

Small island – big history

A fortified pa was built here in the early nineteenth century by Taununu, a Ngai Tahu chief who had moved south from Kaikoura. Several skirmishes were fought on the shores and slopes surrounding Ripapa. Ngai Tahu occupied Ripapa until about 1832, when the chief Te Whakarukeruke left to help defend Kaiapoi against Te Rauparaha.
Ripapa Island was used as a quarantine station for new immigrants from 1873 to 1885. In 1880 the Island was used temporarily as a prison for 150 of Te Whiti’s followers, transported from Taranaki.

Displays on the island provide more information about its history.

Amenities

• Historical

Source

www.doc.govt.nz

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