On Saturday a few of my friends and I decided to take a boat trip to one of New Zealand's Youngest Volcanoes Mt Rangitoto, It quite sad to say that I live in Auckland and I have only stepped foot on this island twice, and Saturday was the first time I have walked to the top. Its only a 25 minute boat ride and only cost $18 return if you buy early bird pass. I highly recommend its spending a whole day there exploring. 



I must warn you, this is a volcanic island there is no water supply systems or shops, so be prepared and bring you own food and enough water for the day. They do have toilets but only 3 dispersed about an hour walk apart on the island, they are nothing flash, its the good old long drop, so don't forget the sanitiser.



Rangitoto emerged from the sea around 700 years ago in a series of volcanic explosions. Rising to a height of 260 metres. The circular island presents the same uniform appearance and is visible from most parts of the mainland. Rangitoto's name has been translated to mean the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed. If you want to know more about the meaning of the name you can click here.



Rangitoto is a large island of 2311 hectares with a wonderful volcanic landscape that supports over 200 species of moss, plants and trees including the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world. It was purchased by the Crown in 1854, set aside as a recreation reserve in 1890. Between 1925 and 1936 prison labour built roads on the island and a track to the summit. It is now owned by the Auckland council and is now conservation land.

All Facts were taken from http://www.rangitoto.org/



One Part of the island I do recommend going to is the Lava caves. A torch is needed to explore the caves.  The lava caves is a natural conduit formed by flowing lava which moves beneath the hardened surface of a lava flow, meaning the lava flow has stopped and the rock has cooled and left a long, cave-like channel. There are many Cave you will find on the island the longest being 50m, so be careful if you venture off path.





 One of the best things to see on Rangitoto is the views from the top, 360 degrees of the Hauraki gulf and Waitemata Harbour, definitely a sight you will never forget. If you leave early enough in the morning with a clear sky you will see a fantastic sun rise and sunning views of Auckland city as you can see above.



There are several daily ferries to the island from Auckland's main ferry terminal; you can see times of departure and prices here.  Just be careful to not miss the last boat back because there is no where to stay on the island at a moment’s notice. It would be an interesting and cold night’s sleep. 
Accommodation on the island is limited to a small number of dwellings near the wharf, one of which is available for public hire, but you must book ahead. There are no camp sites on the island, though there is camping at Home Bay on the adjacent Motutapu Island.




An alternative to walking is a land train; it is co-ordinated with the ferry sailings and takes visitors to a short way below the summit. To be honest it’s better to walk you see the views and the caves which are things you don't get to see on the tour. It’s only a short hour walk up hill, but don’t be frightened it’s not that step, and there are lots of places to stop and have a rest.



 I think this is one place I highly recommend going to if you live in Auckland, or if you are coming to Auckland for a holiday. It is a day trip, so pick a day where its not raining as there is very little shelter. I would love to go back and do another route of the island or even go over to Motutapu and explore all of the war bases.


I hope you enjoyed this post, I hope to do adventurous things like this soon.