Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INFORMATION SOURCES
DOC Auckland Information Centre (
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8
Getting to/from the Tramp
Rangitoto is reached on a 30-minute ferry ride from Auckland, departing from the pier at the
bottom of Queen St. There are several services daily (leaving Auckland 9.15am, 10.30am
and 12.15pm; returning 12.45pm and 3.30pm; additional services at weekends) run by
The Tramp
4-5 HOURS, 10KM
At the new
Rangitoto Wharf
there is a large day shelter in which to escape the sun, an out-
door saltwater swimming pool and toilets. There is also drinking water here; fill up your
bottles as this is the only source of safe water on the island.
The
Summit Track
is well marked and heads north into bush, but within 10 minutes
breaks out into a lava field, a jumbled mass of black rocks. In the middle of it is an observa-
tion deck with interpretive displays. From here the track continues climbing at a very gentle
rate, passing a signposted junction to Wilson's Park Track (left) before reaching the
Lava
Caves Track
(right), 45 minutes from the wharf. Follow this sidetrack for 15 minutes to a
series of caves and tunnels, formed when the outer surface of the lava cooled after an erup-
tion (when the liquid inner lava drained, the outer shell remained as a cave).
Return to the Summit Track and continue upwards. The trail steepens for the final 15
minutes to the crater rim, but is never what anybody could consider strenuous. About 2km
from the wharf you reach
Crater Lookout
, a large wooden deck. The Rangitoto crater is
60m deep and 200m wide. The inner edge is dotted with tall pohutukawa, while in the crater
itself there's a thicket of manuka and kanuka.
Head west at the deck to follow the
Rim Track
, which immediately climbs a long stair-
way to the highest point on Rangitoto; the 259m summit is marked by a large trig on the
edge of the crater. There are great views here, including a fine panorama of downtown
Auckland. Also located here is a cement hut that served as a fire command post during
WWII.
Continue along the Rim Track to return to the Crater Lookout in 10 minutes. You never
see the crater from the trail, but a few minutes from the trig you pass a view of the west side
