Rangitoto Island | Famous Auckland Volcano

Rangitoto Island is at its most basic, a volcano.  More often than not a trip to a volcano often implies, without really needing to, a steep walk for an impressive view and this can sometimes cause people to pass on by if hiking isn’t really their thing.  Rangitoto is still a volcano that offers a walk (it isn’t too steep until the last three minutes) and an impressive view, however, it also offers an arguably more gentle (remembering that the ground is volcanic rock) ride up to the summit via truck.  The accessibility combined with a unique history results in a day trip from Auckland City that is refreshingly different.

It is important not to be put off if you have hiked up volcanoes before.  Even I thought before I left that actually in comparison to other volcanoes this one wouldn’t really compare.  For example, the summit is high at 260m but that isn’t hugely high, it’s only an hour walk to the summit rather than half a day’s walk.  However, a little research can fend off volcanic snobbery and produce a picture of Rangitoto that seems much more impressive. 

'The day the blood of Tamakekapua was shed'

Roughly 700 years ago Rangitoto modestly appeared out of the water in a mass of lava equivalent to just over 450,000 Olympic swimming pools.  Once everything had quite literally cooled down, the volcanic island was named ‘Rangitoto’ which pleasantly translates into ‘The day the blood of Tamakekapua was shed’, relating to a Maori battle at Islington Bay (on the island) in 1350. 

... unique symbols of local history

 
Fast forward a few hundred years for some slightly more optimistic news, regardless that it was during the depression era, where a few family holiday homes were built on the island but due to a prohibition order on further buildings on the volcano in 1937 the original buildings are now seen as unique symbols of local history at that time representing the New Zealand ‘do-it-yourself, jack of all trades’ attitude.  So now on the island there are three settlements to see at Rangitoto Wharf, Islington Bay and Beacon End.

... 200 species of moss, plants and trees

With the volcano being the home to over 200 species of moss, plants and trees and the home of the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world (New Zealand’s native Christmas tree), the 8 – 10 possible short walks on the island are great for spending time in the fresh air and getting out of Auckland city for an afternoon.  The walk to the summit takes an hour at a very slow pace but is really worth it, firstly, because you feel good for having done a bit of exercise, and most importantly, for the panoramic views of Auckland City, the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.  You simply cannot get a view like this anywhere else in Auckland.
 
Pack some sandwiches, get on the ferry for 30mins and spend some time exploring Rangitoto island before walking up to the volcano's summit for the optimum picnic spot, soak up the view before meandering back down taking some time to pop in to a couple of lava caves and then take the last ferry at 3.30pm and finish your day with a beer on the harbour.  Rangitoto Island may not be a hiking challenge, although you could try running up it, but the volcano a is relaxing day away from the city and possibly one of Auckland City’s most modest attractions.