Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands

GETTING THERE
Ferries depart from Downtown Auckland.

ACCOMMODATION
No accommodation is available on the island.

FOOD AND DRINK
There is a kiosk for light refreshments and drinks but it is advisable to bring your own especially water as on a sunny day the volcanic rocks reflect the heat.

WHAT TO BRING
Sturdy walking shoes that can cope with Rangitoto's rugged lava surfaces. A sun hat and sunscreen as the heat and rays reflected from the lava rock can be intense. 

Rangitoto Island
The youngest of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, it emerged from the sea around 700 years ago in a series of volcanic explosions. Rising to a height of 260 metres. The circular island with it's symmetrical cone presents the same uniform appearance and is visible from most parts of the mainland.

With it's position at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour, about 8 km northeast of Auckland, Rangitoto Island is an Auckland icon, a conspicuous and important landmark. It has a wonderful volcanic landscape that supports over 200 species of moss, plants and trees including the largest pohutukawa forest in the world.

Rangitoto Island has sheltered anchorage, swimming, fishing, walking, bird watching and opportunities for general nature study. There are some 10 or so short and long walks around the island and from the summit there are magnificent views of the Hauraki Gulf, the Waitemata Harbour and Auckland City. There are regular daily ferry trips that stop at both wharves, Rangitoto and Islington Bay. There is no visitor accommodation on Rangitoto.

Bach (holiday homes) communities were established in the 1920's and 30's and consist of private holiday dwellings and boatsheds as well as communal facilities such as paths, swimming pool, community hall and tennis courts. As such they are part of local history involving typical New Zealanders in a unique set of circumstances. They were built by working class families in the period after World War 1 and reflect the optimism for the future in the use of scarce resources demonstrating the `kiwi` do-it-yourself, jack-of-all trades and help-your-mate attitudes that prevailed during the hard times of the Depression. As a result of a prohibition order on further building in 1937, the remnants of the communities reflect this specific time in Auckland's development.  As the bach communities are on public land, which cannot be used for development, they remain as artifacts of our local history and are therefore important beyond their historic association with an individual or family.

Motutapu Island
Motutapu is much older than neighbouring Rangitoto Island, and completely different geologically and botanically. The island is mainly in pasture although forests are being replanted and wetlands restored as part of a major community project. Visitors are welcome, and there are a number of roads and walking tracks to explore the island, which is joined to Rangitoto by a causeway built in WWII. 

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