Rangitoto Island Travel Guide

  Rangitoto Island: approaching by ferry
by SWFC_Fan
 
  • Rangitoto Island: approaching by ferry
      Rangitoto Island: approaching by ferry
    by SWFC_Fan
  • Climbing volcanic Rangitoto Island
      Climbing volcanic Rangitoto Island
    by SWFC_Fan
  • Looking out from the summit of Rangitoto
      Looking out from the summit of Rangitoto
    by SWFC_Fan
  • Auckland from Rangitoto
      Auckland from Rangitoto
    by 4streegrrl
  • Rangitoto Island
      Rangitoto Island
    by 4streegrrl
 

Explore Rangitoto Island

Things to Do  

Wreck Bay (Boulder Bay)

Wreck Bay (Boulder Bay), Rangitoto Island

 Cursetea Says:  This is one of the lesser known walks on Rangitoto and is more uneven than the summit tracks. Boots or good walking shoes are needed. Your shoes will most likely bear the scars of this walk.The start of the track is on the road to the summit from Islington Bay beyond the... 

Summit climb

Summit climb, Rangitoto Island

 4streegrrl Says:  If you have a half day on Rangitoto, you must do the summit climb. It takes anywhere from 35 minutes (me) to an hour or more (most people) to get from the ferry terminal to the top. Once there, you will find benches on which to rest and eat your snack or lunch, and from... 

Explore the Lava Caves

Explore the Lava Caves, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:  There are a number of lava caves on Rangitoto, which you will come across during your walk (I think you will miss them entirely if you take the tractor-train). The caves are not deep - some are simply shallow caverns in the lava, while others are natural tunnels formed by... 

The Hauraki Gulf

The Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The Hauraki Gulf has more than 1,500 sq. nautical miles of cruising and has been the perfect venue for the America's Cup yacht race. There are many sheltered anchorages and deserted beaches around the numerous islands. 

Wander amongst the Baches

Wander amongst the Baches, Rangitoto Island

 4streegrrl Says:  In the 1920's and 1930's, three 'bach' communities were developed on Rangitoto Island at Rangitoto Wharf, Islington Bay and Beacon End. The baches were comprised of private weekend or holiday cottages, bungalows, and boatsheds. Built by families during the Depression, the... 

Spectacular Views

Spectacular Views, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  Once reaching the summit you will have 360 degree views of Auckland, the North Shore, Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the outer islands in the Gulf. The cone of the crater is steep and 60 metres deep. 

A Distinctive Icon

A Distinctive Icon, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The island is fairly unique because its quite symmetrical in shape. It has become a local icon to Aucklanders. The Island is right at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour . The distinctive shape can be seen all over Auckland. 

Island History

Island History, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The Crown purchased Rangitoto in 1854 and it was designated a public domain in 1890. During the 1920s and 1930s prisoners built the stone walls, handpacked roads and trails on the island. Some of the Bach sites which were built and leased to help pay for island developments.... 

Pohutukawa Forest

Pohutukawa Forest, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The island is covered in pohutukawa trees, which are regarded as the New Zealand Christmas tree. In fact the island's predominantly pohutukawa forest is the largest in the country. 

Old Lava Flows

Old Lava Flows, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  As you tour back down the island you will drive past bare lava fields, lava caves, pillars and tunnels and different types of lava flows which are remnants of the Islands volcanic activity. Amazingly even with these seemingly barren areas, the island hosts over 200 species... 

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world. Rangitoto is just one of the 48 islands within the park which is administered by the Department of Conservation. 

A Steep Climb But Worth It

A Steep Climb But Worth It, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  The tractor ride will drop you off at the bottom, 900 metres from the summit, and you will return there to catch your ride back down again.There is a good hike via a boardwalk to the summit. There are handrails to assist you but if you’re not fit, its quite a climb. 

Take A Bumpy Ride

Take A Bumpy Ride, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  When you arrive at Rangitoto you have the option of a grand tour around the island or do it yourself by either walking or eliminating the 1 hour hike to the summit and taking the islands tractor pulled road train (the Rangitoto Explorer) to the top which will take around 30... 

Transportation  

The easy way to Rangitotos summit

The easy way to Rangitotos summit, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:  My personal recommendation is to walk to the summit yourself if you possibly can. If you are moderately fit and able it is an easy walk, taking around 2 hours to complete the round trip (longer, of course, if you explore, take photos, and generally take your time). Fairly... 

Getting to Rangitoto Island

Getting to Rangitoto Island, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:  I am very fortunate - some friends dropped me off at Rangitoto from their boat and picked me up later after I had climbed it and they had enjoyed a days fishing. However, you can get there just as easily via the local Fullers Ferry. From the Downtown Auckland ferry terminal,... 

Ferries from Auckland to Rangitoto

Ferries from Auckland to Rangitoto, Rangitoto Island

 SWFC_Fan Says:  Ferries connect the volcanic island of Rangitoto with downtown Auckland several times each day.I caught one of these ferries, operated by "Fullers", for a day-trip during my visit to Auckland in March 2006. The following information is correct as of that date:TimesFerries to... 

Getting to the Island

Getting to the Island, Rangitoto Island

 keeweechic Says:  There are a number of private ferries who run trips to Rangitoto Wharf . You can either ‘ do it yourself’ and just take the ferry ride (around NZ$20 – family tickets are also available), or you can book a tour which includes a tour of the island as well. Ferry’s depart from... 

Favorites  

A bird in the hand at Rangitotos summit

A bird in the hand at Rangitotos summit, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:   The summit of Rangitoto is a large plateau which has been boardwalked, with places to sit and relax after your climb. The view, of course, is superb, with views out to the Hauraki Gulf and beyond - from here you can see Great and Little Barrier Islands in the distance,... 

A Military History

A Military History, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:  Auckland took great care to defend itself from enemy attack during the Second World War, and Rangitoto was fortified along with neighbouring Motutapu Island, Devonport, Waiheke Island (at Stony Batter) and Aucklands Bastion Point. There is still a great deal of evidence left... 

Rangitotos Bach's - iconic Kiwi History

Rangitotos Bach's - iconic Kiwi History, Rangitoto Island

 allikat Says:  For generations, families have been building small holiday homes on Rangitoto - recycling bits and pieces to create a family retreat from the city. In New Zealands North island, these holiday homes are known as baches - on the South island they are more commonly known as... 

The Place

Plan a Rangitoto Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Rangitoto Island locals

Experience Rangitoto Island
  •   20 Tips and Reviews
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Map of Rangitoto Island
 

The People

 
Our Members Say
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 The island is covered in pohutukawa trees, which are regarded as the New Zealand Christmas tree. In fact the island's predominantly pohutukawa forest is the... 

 

Questions and Answers

jemma1996 profile photo

Q:  Are we allowed to walk down into the crater? And also how long does it take to walk up the island ? One last thing. When you walk... 

allikat profile photo

A: Hi, It takes about an hour and a half to walk up to the summit. The walk is fairly easy with good paths, and in some areas boardwalks over the rocky lava flows. The... 

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Top 4 Rangitoto Island Writers

1

Rangitoto, Island Volcano

allikat profile photo

 The island volcano of Rangitoto was the first landmark pointed out to me when I came to to Auckland to live. Sitting out in the Waitemata Harbour, this now extinct cone looks exactly the same no... 

2

Just a young one

4streegrrl profile photo

 Rangitoto Island wasn't on my original list of places to see because of time constraints, but I ended up going after my Tiritiri Matangi trip was cancelled due to high winds. I'm glad it worked out...... 

3

Keeweechic's Rangitoto Island

keeweechic profile photo

 Rangitoto Island was originally called Te Rangi i totongia a Tamatekapua (Maori) which means "the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed". This comes about from a fight between Tamatekapua and Hoturoa... 

4

Rangitoto Island, New Zealand

SWFC_Fan profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Rangitoto Island. I'd love to share with you the 1 tip I've written, the 6 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

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