The Island Of Rangitoto

With some time left during our stay in the city of Auckland we found a cool little ferry that took us a half hour out into the Pacific Ocean to the newest of the volcanic islands in New Zealand. It was formed about 600 years ago and while it erupted into existence, scientists know the Maori were watching from the neighboring island of Motutapu. Footprints in fossilized ash from the eruption were discovered proving their theory.

After getting up early to meet the ferry Laurie says “Let’s go!!”

A view of our upcoming hike up the volcano through the ferry railings.

A map of the island with a path leading most of the way around its shore and a few different ways to reach the summit. They call hiking trails “tracks” in NZ.

Very cool to see one of the UNESCO sites in person. The word “BACH” is pronounced batch here in New Zealand and it means small holiday cabin.

Here is a pic of one of the bachs on the island. The government is trying to eliminate most of them and bring the island back to close to its natural state for many of the birds and flora are unique to Rangitoto. A half century or so ago residents either gave them up for demolition or signed an agreement that says they get to stay there until death but cannot bequeath it in a will. Much like the Adirondacks in NY.

Laurie is being very patient while waiting for me to tie my shoes. She knows the views from the summit will be fabulous!

The hike started out by walking through lava fields like this. Tough walking indeed.

A short half hour detour off of the summit track led us to these spectacular lava caves. They formed when the lava on the outside cooled down and the flowing lava inside eventually ran out so to speak.

Turned out to be about a 100 feet of tunnel. We opted not to get on our hands and knees to exit the other side and doubled back after a while.

Laurie was getting up the courage to give it a shot. We did need the flashlight on the phone after a while.

At just about the half way point there was a break in the roof to allow some light and vegetation in. Pretty cool.

When we emerged out of the tropical forest at the summit we surely felt the sun’s rays on us. We were told, but did not really believe what we had read, that the sun is much more intense in NZ than elsewhere. Something about a hole in the ozone layer around here. Boy does it heat you up quickly with stinging intensity. Laurie figured two hats were better than one!

A view of the shores of the neighboring island Motutapu. How lush!

A hazy view of downtown Auckland. We noted to ourselves that the bridge on the right was the one we travelled over many times. Once we had to cross it twice due to gps issues in a new country. Thank goodness there was no toll on that one!

We will end this post with a picture of inside the summit cone of the volcano. See what 600 years of dormancy can do?