Rangitoto Island

Worth doing if you like walking. The walk up to the summit is a nice track and is in good condition. It is not too difficult We arrived on the 10am ferry and left on the 3:30pm, and that was a perfect amount of time to go to the top, visit the caves and also to visit the beach.

Beautiful island! We went on a fine day, had a good swim at McKenzie Bay, climbed the summit, what an awesome experience!

Great day out, but do this when it is cloudy as the volcanic rocks get hot in broad sunlight and there isn’t much shelter. Take lots of water- I rationed mine. We walked around past the cottages, past Flax point to McKenzie beach. Had lunch on that beautiful sandy beach- good toilets and a great place for a swim. 1.5 hour walk then walked up to the summit1.25 hour walk Great views into the crator and from the top back to Auckland. You can explore the lava caves on the way down the summit track back to the wharf 1.25 hour. Was tired at the end- but an interesting, different experience Ferry arrived at the island at 10:50am and picked us up at 3:30pm, so 20 mins rest at the end. Some people walk up to the summit and back exploring the caves- that would be far less walking.

Absolutely love doing this walk. I feel like every time I have done this track I still find something that I missed on my prior walks here. There's toilets well marked tracks and they are well maintained. Its a must do. Ferry from downtown is available as well.

A good place to walk, even kids of all ages. There are different lengths of walks around the Island. A really good app to us is AllTrails. Incase u get lost. But definately worth the ferry ride there.

Absolutely incredible hike we've done today! The ferry to the island offered great views of the Auckland skyline. Once you reach the island, make sure you go on your toilet break as there won't be any toilets anywhere else on the island. Sturdy shoes is a must as the paths are filled with volcanic rocks which could be very sharp. The lava caves was also very fun! A torch is a must and do watch your head towards the end bit : Do bring togs and a towel if you like to go for a swim, too. Overall, incredible!

Enjoy full day hike. Go to Summit for true panoramic views. Get very hot on sunny days in summer. Can enjoy bay and swim on other side. Carry lot of water and food to keep you energized. Keep it clean and enjoy every bit of it on Motutapu side too.

Beautiful day hike - despite all the lava rocks, nature is blooming over there. Don't forget to discover caves too- you can go in some inside. Make sure to pack water, food, sun protection and hat with you. As water is crystal clear, you might want to enjoy swimming as well.

Purchase tickets online $36 compared to penalised over the counter fare of $43. Plan ahead especially monitor weather as it’s a remote volcanic island without normal shelters along self tracking trails. Wear proper clothings & a cap for an average of 6 hours of self propel tracking. Tug along ample water, beverage, fruits & good. Brush scrub your footwear before boarding ferry. don’t forget to bring back all your direct or indirect waste as there are no bins on island. Beautiful & breath taking 360 views @ summit. Plan & revise routes accordingly to hiking stamina. Beware & don’t forget last departing ferry else a cold chilly night awaits. Chilly is windy 25min journey from pier 4 @ Fullers wharf. Polite, smiling & helpful crew. On board cafe serving hot drinks & sandwich. There is a 30pax heated cabin @ top level. Sights of 400year old jagged solidified lava & flow path awaits hikers. Creamy light greenish cone ferns growing on lava rock & greenish ferns consoling hikers on barren views. 1 hour submit hike with many circumnavigation routes to summit. Bring along a touch or improvised with mobile phone torch while exploring lava caves. Final 25 minutes hike up to summit is challenging for tired or elderly tourist. 70minutes explorer well established planked path down the mountain tolls on “breaking” leg muscles. Do rest & listen to your both on hiking pace. Last 45min flat walk back to Rangitoto wharf. Enjoy & relaxed before departing island. Toilets are located near wharf & only visitors basic building. Yes....mobile reception is available during hiking & ferry journey in case of emergency. No vending machine nor store selling drink or food on island. Enjoy

A nice place to go for the day, the terrain is not for weak smacked so take a good pair of tramping like shoes a part from your jandals. Ferry is about$42 return January 2020 There are no cafes or water taps so take plenty of food and water for your stay. you will find many swimming spots along the coast. There are three ways to go up plus many other little tracks, I walked all of of them and it was around 8km each way. If you don't want or can't to walk so much then there is a tour that drives you up called fuller explorer. Very interesting flora only found there, I recommend to read all the signs they sometimes tell you about tracks that are around. Take any rubbish you see with you weather is yours or not, particularly at the summit where people get rid of their water bottles.