The population on Rangitoto Island is zero.
You are not allowed to build anything on Rangitoto any more. Most houses were taken down but a few still remain for visitors to the island to view.
Rangitoto should stay that way forever.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Where is Rangitoto Island?
The population on Rangitoto Island is zero.
You are not allowed to build anything on Rangitoto any more. Most houses were taken down but a few still remain for visitors to the island to view.
Rangitoto should stay that way forever.
How was Rangitoto Formed?
Rangitoto was formed by a series of eruptions between 600-700 years ago.
The volcanois not exspected to become active agian.
The eruption first began below water level in the Hauraki Gulf and over several months the island slowly became visible above the sea level. The eruptions lasted for about 12 months.
Of all of Auckland's volcanoes, Rangitoto Island is the youngest and also the largest of the total of 48.
The volcanois not exspected to become active agian.
The eruption first began below water level in the Hauraki Gulf and over several months the island slowly became visible above the sea level. The eruptions lasted for about 12 months.
Of all of Auckland's volcanoes, Rangitoto Island is the youngest and also the largest of the total of 48.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Wild life and trees on Rangitoto island
Rangitoto is a National reserve for Plant life
Rangitoto's lava rock seems an inhospitable environment for plant life, yet the island hosts over 200 species of native trees and flowering plants, more than 40 kinds of fern and several species of orchid. Many plants form unusual hybrids or adopt strange behaviours because of the unusual conditions.
The crimson-flowered pohutukawa is Rangitoto's dominant tree. Once common along New Zealand coastlines, pohutukawa forests have been largely reduced to lone trees and Rangitoto has the country's largest remaining pohutukawa forest.
The Department has successfully completed a major project to eradicate possums and wallabies which were destroying the island's pohutukawa. Now a major weed eradication programme is underway on the island.
Astelia fruit, Rangitito Island
As they grow the pohutukawa provide shelter and shade for other species like mingimingi, koromiko and puka. Many ephpytes like astelia and Kirk's daisy, which normally clamber over the high branches of the trees, grow from the ground on Rangitoto.
The island is not rich in landbirds, probably because of the comparatively recent vegetation growth, but shores are well frequented by a variety of seabirds and there are two thriving nesting colonies of black backed gulls, one near Rangitoto Wharf and the other near the Beacon. Fantails, grey warblers, silvereyes and moreporks are some of the birds which inhabit the Rangitoto forest.
Introduced possums and brush-tailed rock wallabies which by the 1980s were threatening to destroy the pohutukawa forest, have now been moved.
Rangitoto's lava rock seems an inhospitable environment for plant life, yet the island hosts over 200 species of native trees and flowering plants, more than 40 kinds of fern and several species of orchid. Many plants form unusual hybrids or adopt strange behaviours because of the unusual conditions.
The crimson-flowered pohutukawa is Rangitoto's dominant tree. Once common along New Zealand coastlines, pohutukawa forests have been largely reduced to lone trees and Rangitoto has the country's largest remaining pohutukawa forest.
The Department has successfully completed a major project to eradicate possums and wallabies which were destroying the island's pohutukawa. Now a major weed eradication programme is underway on the island.
Astelia fruit, Rangitito Island
As they grow the pohutukawa provide shelter and shade for other species like mingimingi, koromiko and puka. Many ephpytes like astelia and Kirk's daisy, which normally clamber over the high branches of the trees, grow from the ground on Rangitoto.
The island is not rich in landbirds, probably because of the comparatively recent vegetation growth, but shores are well frequented by a variety of seabirds and there are two thriving nesting colonies of black backed gulls, one near Rangitoto Wharf and the other near the Beacon. Fantails, grey warblers, silvereyes and moreporks are some of the birds which inhabit the Rangitoto forest.
Introduced possums and brush-tailed rock wallabies which by the 1980s were threatening to destroy the pohutukawa forest, have now been moved.
Places to visit on Rangitoto Island
As you tour back down the island you will drive past bare lava fields, lava caves, pillars and tunnels and different types of lava flows which are remnants of the Islands volcanic activity. Amazingly even with these seemingly barren areas, the island hosts over 200 species of native trees and flowering plants. There are more than 40 kinds of fern and several types of orchid – all seem to have adopted strange behaviours because of the unusual conditions.Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Visiting Rangitoto Island
Ferry tickets cost $20.40 from the Auckland ferry terminal), 30 minute ferry across to the island of Rangitoto. This island being a once active volcano that rose from the sea approximately 600 years ago to form what now basically is a crater at the centre and old lava around, thus the island. After arriving at the Rangitoto wharf.then you can walk up the summit/path. The summit being 250 metres above sea level and although the walk is marked as 1 hr 1 way, i ended up doing it in 32 minutes. Arriving at the summit after a steep final section you are greeted with some truely awesome views of Auckland and its eastern harbour.
There is no accommodation on Rangitoto, but neighbouring Motutapu has a basic campsite and an outdoor education centre and lodge.
Today visitors are welcome, and can explore the island via a network of tracks and roads. Rangitoto is joined to Motutapu Island by a causeway.
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