Auckland's Youngest Volcano - Rangitoto

Mid-September, on a morning after a very late night, we took a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland to Rangitoto Island. Our friends, Leah and Ben, accompanied us on this trip. "Rangitoto" apparently derived from the phrase "Te Rangi i totongia a Tamatekapua" - "the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed." As I mentioned in one of the earlier posts, it was formed some 600 years ago, which makes it the most recent of the approximately 48 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field. It is a very popular destination amongst Aucklanders and visitors.



Bare lava fields, lava caves, pillars and tunnels and different types of lava flows are all features of the island's volcanic landscape.

Although the summit can be reached in a two hour return walk from Rangitoto Wharf, we decided to do the four-hour loop track around the crater rim. We were rewarded with some amazing scenery.















We all took turns carrying E.







The views from the summit were worth the hike.







Inside the crater.



It was a great experience.