While theres a lot of stairs, theyre not steep so its still a comfortable walk. Climb to the summit for epic views. We berth on the main pier and are instantly transported into another world. Beaches, mountains and volcanoes, hike and bike trails,real life Hobbits Travelling in New Zealand is incredibly versatile. Very easy trail - well maintained. If you make the trip, please let me know if you followed the route above and what you thought of it . Walk duration2 hours, longer with detours. Why? The track to the top of Auckland's youngest volcano, at 600 years old, is relatively easy and the views are insane. To protect our native wildlife, dogs are not allowed anywhere in this place. Track times are indicative only. I take a last look at my volcano from up close, knowing we will be back and explore more for sure. The road continued over the causeway to Motutapu Island. Located in Rangitoto Island in the Auckland region. Please remember to take all your rubbish, including leftover food, off the island with you. Find authorised transport operatorsto this island. The remains of some ships can still be seen at low tide. The game was tied at 1-1 going into the ninth on the strength of home runs from Ohtani for the Angels and Luis Robert Jr. for the White Sox. The track to the top of Aucklands youngest volcano, at 600 years old, is relatively easy and the views are insane. That adds up to walking for about 20 minutes every day. Rangitoto is accessible to experienced kayakers. There are limited ferries so youll need to choose to catch the 9.15 am or 10.30 am (theres a 1.30 pm afternoon departure on the weekends and public holidays). You can sometimes get a good deal with Fergs Kayaks on BookMe.co.nz here. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Child must be 5-15 years old. Your email address will not be published. Bring water with you. Learn more Not hard but not easy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its a nice little rush when youre inside and most people should be okay with getting through them without freaking out. We took a bit longer than expected on the way up thanks to awesome caves and marvelling at lava fields, which is why we cant take the walk around half the island. This is a wonderful route for those staying overnight or for visitors with access to a private vessel. Plan your NZ trip with me!Let me help you organise your New Zealand holiday! Before boarding the ferry you have to brush off your shoes at the pier. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Rapidly changing weather conditions. Bring water, food and a torch for the lava caves. The incline isnt crazy to start, and along the way youll see a couple of small turnoffs to take advantage of viewpoints and/or see information about the area. Infant return $0 Under 5s travel for free. We eat our packed lunch, the amazing view in the backdrop. Less lava fields and moss patches but more actual forest. Located in Rangitoto Island in the Auckland region. This is a wonderful route for those staying overnight or for visitors with access to a private vessel. Ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry. The summit gives panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. a long walk - Review of Rangitoto Island, Auckland - Tripadvisor Rangitoto Island is one of the youngest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf/Tkapa Moana, but it has a long human history. Rangitoto Island: Rangitoto walk - See 2,210 traveler reviews, 1,282 candid photos, and great deals for Auckland Central, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. This short walk leads to a small kowhai grove, especially attractive in spring when the trees are flowering. The road continued over the causeway to Motutapu Island. It does not store any personal data. Ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry. Therell often be a deal for a family pass online too. Ohtani and Robert Jr. sit first and second in the American League in long balls, and Ohtani leads all of MLB. To get to the summit track you continue straight after getting off the wharf and take a left after a couple of hundred metres when you hit the summit track sign. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/auckland/places/rangitoto-island/tracks/rangitoto-island-longer-walks/. There are no rubbish bins on pest-free islands. Where does the walk start on Rangitoto Island? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Bring your own food and water. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Was nice walk to the summit. Easy trail - nice view over Auckland at the top. You can always take an earlier ferry back if you run out of stuff to do. Tiritiri Matangi Island is a bird sanctuary. Read more before you visit a pest-free island here. I suggest the 10:30 am ferry or earlier so you dont feel rushed. Theres a little picnic area and some signs that tell the history of the Rangitoto Island eruption that marked its birth 600 years ago up to now. You can also catch a Fullers360 ferry from Devonport Ferry Terminal. PDF Volcano Fact Sheet Rangitoto Volcano - GNS Science There are two wharves Rangitoto Wharf, serviced by public ferries; andIslington Bay Wharf, a popular anchorage for private boats. Operated by Fullers360 and Waiheke Bus Company, the Rangitoto Island to Waiheke Island service departs from Rangitoto Ferry Terminal and arrives in Hooks Lane. How long is the flight from Rangitoto Island to Whakatne? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. So cute. The first section of track passes by some of the remaining historic baches on the island. Worth the effort for the stunning views of Auckland. Wreck Bay and the adjacent Boulder Bay where once used as a dumping ground for old ships. Incline5: The Rangitoto summit is 259 meres above sea level. There is a total fire ban on Rangitoto Island. Good foot wear is essential. Wasp presence increases over the warmer months. The heat reflecting off the ground can be intense. Explore this 13.6-mile out-and-back trail near Auckland, Auckland. How to get to Rangitoto Island in Oceanic-Auckland Region East - Moovit Allow extra time to explore the lava caves on the way back or see the historic bach community near the wharf. Climb to the summit for epic views. In the 48-strong family of Auckland volcanoes, Rangitoto Island is the late-bloomer. Getting lost hardly possible. Length 13.6 miElevation gain 1,322 ftRoute type Out & back. What I did find confusing was the volcanic rock starts to disappear from the edge of the tracks higher up the volcano and youll start seeing more normal hiking terrain with tree-lined tracks. Recommended. The remains of some ships can still be seen at low tide. Learn more aboutRangitoto Summit Walk. The first big plants on the island were Pohutukawa trees. Rangitoto Island looking pretty at sunset. PROTECTIVE CLOSURE: Kauri Dieback disease is threatening the survival of the kauri tree a native species to New Zealand. If youre taking your time, youll be catching the 3.30 pm ferry in most cases as I didnt stop to eat, or have a swim. Walk around the coast of Rangitoto, to adjoining Motutapu Island, or continue on from the summit to Islington Bay. The Guide to Rangitoto Island and Motutapu Island The island is crossed with inland & coastal walking tracks. See island biosecurity requirements. We are Alex the Swiss Miss and Chris the South African Kiwi. Approximately 25 minutes from Auckland City The volcanic Rangitoto Island is one of the most iconic landmarks in Auckland's city skyline. A track branching off the Summit Track leads through a glen of delicate, translucent kidney ferns, at their best after rain. There is nowhere on the island to buy or refill drinking water or purchase food. Rangitoto Island Summit Length: 5.5km Elevation: 227m Time: 2hr Highlights: Rangitoto Summit, Lava Caves The most common walk that people will do when landing at the ferry wharf is take the Rangitoto Summit track. But if you look closely, there are patches of lichen and moss on the black stones. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Our vessels undergo strict inspections, so we are licensed to visit conservation islands and hold a pest free warrant that recognises our commitment to biosecurity standards. It's a favourite for foodies and wine lovers as it has an abundance of little boutique wineries. 1 How long does it take to walk around Rangitoto? Great walk about to the summit with a nice detour off to the lava caves. Anyway, the loop I mentioned above takes us to the Lava Caves first. Rangitoto Island is one of the youngest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf/Tkapa Moana, but it has a long human history. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/auckland/places/rangitoto-island/. How long will it take? Shohei Ohtani takes MLB lead in home runs in win - MLB.com Id been meaning to make a trip to Rangitoto Island for years. As an Auckland icon and deeply enriched with history and it's long been a favourite day trip for walkers. Rangitoto Island: Places to go in Auckland - Department of Conservation You will not get spammed by us, promise! Climb to the summit for epic views. Rangitoto Island longer walks: Rangitoto Island, Auckland region Rangitoto Summit Track, Auckland By Fraser Clements All experiences and tours are subject to Fullers360terms and conditionsandcode of conduct. I enjoyed it a lot. We are over the moon and cant stop taking panorama pictures! This coastal walk passes many remnants of human activity boatsheds and baches near Rangitoto Wharf, old quarry sites, ruins of war time storage bases for mines, and Yankee Wharf built during World War II. As the lichen and moss died off, it turned into humus and the first plant seeds, transported by birds, rooted. The Wreck Bay Track takes a twisting route to a bay on the northern side of Rangitoto. This coastal walk passes many remnants of human activity boatsheds and baches near Rangitoto Wharf, old quarry sites, ruins of war time storage bases for mines, and Yankee Wharf built during World War II. 5 How do I get from Auckland to Rangitoto Island? The shortest and most popular route to the summit begins at Rangitoto Wharf and climbs through lava fields and forest to the peak at 259m above sea level. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/plants-animals/protect-trees-disease/protect-our-kauri-trees/Pages/default.aspx. Aside from enjoying the walking trails, Rangitoto is also a great spot for kayaking, camping or spotting the native flora and birds. Rangitoto Island summit walks begin at the Rangitoto Wharf, a 25-minute ferry ride from Queens Wharf. There are no supplies of drinking water on the island. We recommend taking the diversion to the Lava Caves Track where you can explore lava tunnels and caves. The Summit Track is the most popular walk on Rangitoto, winding through lava fields and native forest to the peak. From Islington Bay, cross the causeway to Motutapu Island. A world away from the western end of the island, visit the east of Waiheke Island for its untouched beauty, picturesque views and mouth-watering vineyards. It takes around two hours to kayak to Rangitoto Wharf from the Auckland's North Shore. The distance from the wharf to the lava caves is about 2.7km and theyre well worth the detour. We leave our backpacks at the entrance of the lava caves track and switch our head torches on. Its 4pm and the ferry back to Auckland hoots three times, the sign theyre about to leave. Track times are indicative only. Additionally, the staff makes sure you only bring bags and backpacks with you that zip close. An island getaway. Rangitoto Island: Rangitoto walk - See 2,207 traveler reviews, 1,275 candid photos, and great deals for Auckland Central, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. Enjoyable walk with views of the island, water and city. You can take a public passenger ferry or charter. There are commercial operators that offer guided kayak tours and kayak rentals for Rangitoto. And it was quite nice to drop back into that volcanic rock terrain again. Its dark in the caves and the floor is uneven, taking a torch is strongly advised. Which ferry you want to take back, however, is completely up to you. These are high in some places and you could fall up to 2m from them. Located in Rangitoto Island in the Auckland region. 6 Where does the walk start on Rangitoto Island? Take a short walk around Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve. There are no rubbish bins on pest-free islands. It takes around two hours to kayak to Rangitoto Wharf from the Auckland's North Shore. Its a reasonably steady ascent with a couple of short descents on the way up (because of the lava caves detour). Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. When its time to walk back down, we decide to take a different route than we originally planned. A panoramic, almost 360 view over Hauraki Gulf, blue water, green islands, puffy white clouds, the Auckland skyline and Devonport in front of it. How long is Rangitoto walk? Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 6 min to complete. The views are insane. Children under 5 years old travel for free. Trail relatively good, though recent heavy rain has undermined short part of Summit Track. Walk around the coast of Rangitoto, to adjoining Motutapu Island, or continue on from the summit to Islington Bay. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This walk is not recommended for day-trippers on the Fullers ferry, as it does not allow much time to walk back to the Rangitoto Wharf ferry in time for departure. Look out for saddleback/tieke, whitehead/popokatea, kaka, NZ parakeet/kakariki, tui, bellbird/korimako and tomtit/miromiro in the forest around the cone and crater on Rangitoto. The view from Rangitoto Island summit is just breathtaking! The caves formed when the lava flowed down the mountain, the cooler air hardened the outer surface, but the core kept flowing. Good day trip - don't spend too much time - Review of Rangitoto Island Discover incredible views over the Hauraki Gulf with the Rangitoto Island summit walk. Your lunch must be packed in a rodent-proof/sealed container e.g. This isnt the summit though, Youll need to walk another couple of hundred metres along the crater rim track to reach the summit and its well worth it. The Auckland volcanic field has over 50 volcanoes! Brush off your shoes and control your bag and/or backpack for unwanted animals, There is no shop and no food or water on the island. As we walk, we marvel at the lava fields and how nothing seems to grow on the stones. As soon as you turn left the incline begins and youll soon start to realise youre on a volcano with the black volcanic rock on either side of the tracks creating a pretty surreal environment. Once you get close to the top there are some short (optional) detours before you hit the summit views. Wear sunscreen and a hat. The batches looked pretty neat, would love to stay and explore the beaches. A really great hike and the birdlife is amazing now the island is predator free. Once you hit the stairs, youre not far from the summit. Im not sure I want to know what its like up there in summer. There is no overnight accommodation andalternative transport back to the mainland is expensive. Tell a trusted person your plans and when to raise the alarm if you havent returned. I have been thinking and planning to come to Rangitoto Island for a few years now and am glad I did today. Sitting majestically off the coast, Rangitotos distinctive symmetrical cone rises 260m over the Hauraki Gulf. The ferry to Waiheke runs often and long, so you'll have plenty of time. The waves roll over rugged lava sufaces, the first of many lava flows well see throughout the day. 25 mins from Auckland GRADE: EASY This hike travels over scoria, on a hot day heat reflecting off the ground can be intense. One hour 45 minutes from Rangitoto Wharf; 45 minutes from Summit Track turnoff to the summit. The Rangitoto Island summit walk is a must-do your Rangitoto Island visit. You can take a public passenger ferry or charter. Travel to all destinations is subject toFullers360 terms and conditionsand code of conduct. There are boardwalks on the summit track and the mangrove boardwalk near the Rangitoto Wharf. Lots of people stuck on the island because they underestimated the walking time. Top ways to experience Rangitoto Island and nearby attractions. Even with a humble 259 metre summit height. Dogs and fires (including barbeques) are prohibited. Rangitoto is also accessible to experienced kayakers. It takes around two hours to kayak to Rangitoto Wharf from the Auckland's North Shore. Take care not to miss your ferry. Whether from its shores or summit, you'll revel in amazing views of the city and the sea. 8 When was Rangitoto declared a pest free island? Now, you could go back down to the wharf, but as long as youve got a half-decent walking pace its time to head west on McKenzie Bay Road (photo two in the maps above). Lot of volcanic landscapes. I then walk via the Lava Caves which are cool. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. An Auckland icon and deeply enriched with history, it's long been a favourite day trip for walkers, and a much loved boating destination. Devonport and Auckland city seen from Rangitoto summit, and a panorama picture because it looks so beautiful. LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. Your email address will not be published. You can also kayak to Rangitoto from the nearby islands of Motutapu or Motuihe, or as part of a tour of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The few baches available book out fast, so make sure to plan ahead! Main part of the loop round the western side and back to the dock is very exposed, walking on crushed scoria track. Emerging from the sea just 600 years ago, pest-free Rangitoto Island is the youngest volcano in New Zealand. Which Ferry lines stop near Rangitoto Island? Details | Map | How To Get There | Trip Report. This short walk leads to a small kwhai grove, especially attractive in spring when the trees are . There are boardwalks on the summit track and the mangrove boardwalk near the Rangitoto Wharf. Nice walk! Many of the baches can be seen by taking the track from Rangitoto Wharf to Flax Point. If you book in advance, you will have to decide on a departure time from Auckland to Rangitoto. You can fish off the rocks anywhere round the islands rugged coastline. With that said it took 70 minutes to reach the summit. Rangitoto Island to Waiheke Island - 2 ways to travel via ferry - Rome2rio Definitely put this on your list of places to visit in Auckland! Track times are indicative only. Rangitoto Walk You Must Try At Least Once - Free Like Birdy The full 13.25km loop took me just over 3 hours. The heat reflecting off the ground can be intense. Again, its a good place for a picnic. . Wear sunscreen and a hat. Rangitoto Summit Track | Auckland, New Zealand Rangitoto Island is a pest-free wildlife sanctuary which means there are important biosecurity requirements in place. If you catch the 9.15 am ferry, youve got at least 4 hours and 30 minutes to get the first ferry back to Auckland, so theres plenty of time for everyone to complete the loop. Bookings are essential and valid for travel on the time and date indicated on ticket. A coastal walk to a black back gull breeding colony on Flax Point. Rangitoto Island longer walks - Department of Conservation 3 Is Rangitoto Island worth visiting? But the beaches are just as beautiful and there is great swimming. When you get close to the wharf there are a few different routes you can take, I enjoyed the kowhai track. Before you know it youll be at the edge of the crater which you can look down into. The first section of track passes by some of the remaining historic . Explore Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve on these longer walks. Turning left from the same spot, you walk along the coastal road towards Mackenzie Bay and Beacon Lighthouse.