Quick View. The 360-degree views from the summit are incredible, but be warned: your photos will never do them justice. From time to time, adverse weather conditions require us to sail into Islington Bay Wharf instead of Rangitoto Wharf. The same group of university scientists declared that it revealed a long history of spasmodic eruptions going back at least 6000 years, although the bulk of activity post-dated 650 years.

Both were eradicated in a campaign from 1990 to 1996 using 1080 and cyanide poison and dogs. [39], An alternative to walking, a land train, coordinated with the ferry sailings, takes visitors to a short way below the summit. Offering a range of easy walks, traversing through the beautiful volcanic landscape, featuring New Zealand’s favourite native birds and plants. [26] It was set aside as a recreation reserve in 1890, and became a favourite spot for daytrippers. [15] While it is possible that Rangitoto buried one or more smaller volcanoes, to date there is no strong evidence to support this idea. In 1892, salt works were created on 5 acres (20,000 m2) near Mackenzies Bay. [40], There are no campsites on the island, though there is camping at Home Bay on the adjacent Motutapu Island. However, the kaka, a New Zealand-endemic parrot, is thought to have lived on the island in pre-European times. $66.33 per adult. Your safety is important to us. Allow extra time to explore the lava caves on the way back, or see the historic bach community near the wharf. All prices are shown in New Zealand Dollars and include GST unless otherwise stated. From today, our services will therefore resume operating with standard passenger capacity. Or for the adventurous type, why not Kayak? Feel like getting back to nature? Dogs and fires (including barbeques) are prohibited to the low tide mark. Popular: Booked by 1,888 travelers! Pick your date and time of travel 3. A light rain jacket, and warm layers. Geoscience Society of New Zealand Newsletter 23: 4–10. Eruption sequence of Rangitoto Volcano, Auckland. Geoscience Society of New Zealand Newsletter 11: 5–8. $116.36 per adult. Please remember to take all your rubbish, including leftover food, off the island with you. As lava fields contain no soil of the typical kind, windblown matter and slow breaking-down processes of the native flora are still in the process of transforming the island into a more habitable area for most plants (an example of primary succession), which is one of the reasons why the local forests are relatively young and do not yet support a large bird population. Temperatures can change quickly, regardless of the season.

As the largest volcano in the Auckland volcanic field, Rangitoto is the most dominant natural landmark in Auckland. [30] The bay is used by Auckland boat-owners as a refuge, as it is quite sheltered from the prevailing southwest winds. [3][6], Rangitoto was formed during a single phase of eruptions that may have lasted only 5–10 years, about 600 years ago. Travelling to Waiheke, Rangitoto or Motutapu?

The wharf and summit road were opened in 1897, with another road linking the summit to Islington Bay by 1900. OR if you are redeeming at a ticket office, you will receive a tour + ferry ticket for travel All vouchers are non-refundable and valid for 12 months from the purchase date. The eradication campaign did not have a significant effect on bird species diversity and abundance, due to the presence of other predators. No open bags or boxes will be allowed on-board. The northern shore of the island was used as a wrecking ground for unwanted ships, and the remains of several wrecks are still visible at low tide. [37], Regular ferry services and island tours by tractor-trailer are provided by Fullers from Auckland city centre. Since World War II, it has been linked by a causeway to the much older, non-volcanic Motutapu Island. url=, Auckland University, Geology Dept, field guide, "Reconstructing Rangitoto volcano from a 150-m-deep drill core (project 14/U684)", http://www.devora.org.nz/download/1453/%7C, "Rangitoto more active than thought – study", https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258374103_Did_Rangitoto_erupt_many_times, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321062566_Eruption_sequence_of_Rangitoto_Volcano_Auckland%7C, "The eruption history of Rangitoto: reappraisal of a small New Zealand myth", "Bird species diversity and abundance before and after eradication of possums and wallabies on Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand", Rangitoto Island – Unique Volcanic Island, "Rich Pickings: Abandoned Vessel Material Reuse on Rangitoto Island, New Zealand", "Waiheke residents come to town NEW ZEALAND HERALD", "Active and Well in Nature with a Green Prescription: Rangitoto Island, NZ", Vegetation colonisation of Rangitoto Island: the role of crevice microclimate, Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust, Te Ahi ka roa a Raka / Mt Albert / Owairaka, Te Pukaki Tapu o Poutukeka / Pukaki Lagoon, Matukutūruru / Te Manurewa o Tamapahore / Wiri Mountain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rangitoto_Island&oldid=981200046, Tourist attractions in the Auckland Region, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2010, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 September 2020, at 21:45.

Rangitoto Island and Motutapu Island Don’t leave Auckland without a trip to Rangitoto Island, just a 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
[31][32] At least 13 ships were wrecked from 1887,[33] the last being the former Wellington[34] and, later, Waiheke ferry, Duchess,[35] in June 1947. [36], Baches (small holiday houses) were built around the island's edge in the 1920s and 1930s. 2 reviews. Why not take a sea kayak out and explore the island coastline from the Sea. url=, Hayward, B.W.

The 5.5 km (3.4 mi) wide island is a symmetrical shield volcano cone, reaching a height of 260 m (850 ft). With your pre-purchased e-ticket you'll be able to skip the on-wharf ticket queue. [24], The volcano erupted within the historical memory of the local Māori iwi (tribes). Plenty of water, snacks and lunch, as there are no food outlets on the island. It may take up to an extra hour to walk to and from the summit from Islington Bay, and the track is shared by vehicles.

To ensure that your journey is smooth sailing please follow our, https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/covid-19-update-physical-distancing-seating-restrictions-lifted-on-public-transport/, Waiheke Island Explorer Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. 2013. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash.

Sitting majestically off the coast, Rangitoto’s distinctive symmetrical cone rises 260 metres over the Hauraki Gulf. For full terms and conditions please click here. Formerly known as Drunks Bay, it was used as a drying out area for inebriated crews before they ventured out of the gulf. Please follow the booking instructions below:Call our Customer Care Team on 09 367 9111 HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon – Sun: 7:00am – 8:00pm Or visit a Fullers360 ticket office AUCKLAND CITY: Pier 2 Downtown Ferry Terminal DEVONPORT WHARF: Ferry Terminal WAIHEKE ISLAND: Matiatia Ferry Terminal 1.

Military installations were built during World War II to support the Auckland harbour defences and to house U.S. troops or store mines. ; Murdoch, G., Maitland, G. (2011). Please check your bags for stowaways, such as mice, rats, Argentine ants and Rainbow Skinks to name a few. The later part of the eruption was dry and built most of Rangitoto, erupting all the lava flows and scoria cones at the apex. Your lunch must be packed in a rodent-proof/ sealed container e.g. We recommend you plan your walk accordingly and note the time of the last ferry off the island.
Lake Pupuke on the North Shore was created in the destruction, while Rangitoto rose from the sea.

There are no rubbish bins on pest-free islands. [20] Fallow deer were introduced to Motutapu in 1862 and spread to Rangitoto, but disappeared by the 1980s.

[19], The island is considered especially significant because all stages from raw lava fields to scrub establishment and sparse forests are visible.

The mists surrounding Rangitoto at certain times are called the tears of the tupua for their former home.

Rangitoto Island is one of Aucklands most unique and iconic locations, being located only a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland, makes this spectacular volcanic island destination a favorite for both tourists and locals alike. The volcanic Rangitoto Island is one of the most iconic landmarks in Auckland's city skyline. Rangitoto Island is situated about 8 km northeast of Auckland, a 25-minute cruise from the downtown ferry terminal, with some sailings travelling via Devonport. Buy your ticket online and access the discounted online rate.

[23], As the area is a DOC-administered reserve (in partnership with the tangata whenua Ngāi Tai and Ngāti Paoa),[5] visitors may not take dogs or other animals onto the islands.

From 1925 to 1936, prison labour built roads on the island and a track to the summit. More info.

To find our more about the history of Rangitoto Island, what to do and how to get there, please click the link below. Previous inferences that it was formed by a series of eruptions commencing at least 6000 years ago[7] have been disproved by the most recent research. Thanks for doing your bit to keep yourself and those around you safe. 1,100 reviews. url=. © 2020 Rangitoto.co.nz. [3][6] In some parts of the island, fields of clinker-like black lava stones are exposed, appearing very recent to a casual eye. Dramatic in its look, the island also made a dramatic entrance between 550-600 years ago in a serious of eruptions out of the ocean that formed the island … Bookings essential. More info. [27] For over 30 years (from 1898 to 1930), scoria was quarried from near the shoreline on the west side of Islington Bay[28] as building material for Auckland.[29].

[18], Because there are virtually no streams on the island, plants rely on rainfall for moisture. For information please visit https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/covid-19-update-physical-distancing-seating-restrictions-lifted-on-public-transport/. There are a number of easy walks to choose from on Rangitoto Island, but why not walk to the summit of the volcano for lunch, while taking in the abundance of native plants and the spectacular panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.

An Auckland icon and deeply enriched with history, it's long been a favourite day trip for walkers, and a much loved boating destination. This means there are some changes to your walking time on the island. Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes [6][10], In 2013, scientists from Auckland University said new studies showed Rangitoto had been much more active in the past than previously thought, suggesting it had been active on and off for around 1000 years before the final eruptions around 550 years ago (BP= before 1950). Civil Defence officials said the discovery did not make living in Auckland any more dangerous, but did change their view of how an eruption might proceed. ; Grenfell, H.R. Under 5s travel for free. Rangitoto was formed during a single phase of eruptions that may have lasted only 5–10 years, about 600 years ago.

[11] In February 2014 a 150 m (490 ft) deep hole was drilled through the western flank of Rangitoto.

[2][3] It is separated from the mainland of Auckland's North Shore by the Rangitoto Channel. [6] Lava tubes are formed when low-viscosity molten lava known as pahoehoe flows and cools on the outside due to contact with the ground and air, to form a hard crust allowing the still-liquid molten lava to continue to flow through inside.