February 11 - Rangitoto Island

 

Auckland is on a narrow part of New Zealand's North Island and is between the Pacific Ocean to the northeast and the Tasman See to the southwest.  Auckland has an extensive harbor and one of the premier sights is Rangitoto Island, a natural preserve, and an inactive volcano. Rangitoto is a distinctive symmetrical shield volcano rising 850 feet over the Hauraki Gulf and is the most recent (within 200 years) and the largest of the approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland volcanic field.

 

After breakfast we walked to the Fuller Ferry dock for the 25 minute ride to Rangitoto.

 
 
 
 
On the island we first walked the nearby Kidney Fern Glen.
 Then we started up the Summit Track which crossed numerous lava fields and had many views.
 
 
As we approached the summit we took a side trail to the Lava Caves.
 
 
A short hike then brought us to the summit and lunch.
 
After lunch we took the Wilson Park Track, a narrower trail with many new plants.
Kidney fern (Trichomanes reniforme)

Back at the harbor a few went swimming while waiting for the return ferry.

 
Of course, after a hike gelato!
 
As sunset approached we walked to the Sky Tower, the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building .
 
From the top we had magnificent views of Auckland.
The harbor and Rangitoto Island in the distance.
 		The Domain and the War Memorial Museum.

Dinner in the Orbit Restaurant.
The harbor and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
 
 

Continue to February 12 - Rotorua

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Last updated: September 22, 2014