Postcards from Auckland

View from the Rangitoto island

Despite my initial disappointment with New Zealand when I arrived, I knew things could only get better from there. And they did.

View of the Rangitoto volcano from the start of the trail

A little volcano hiking restored my faith in the natural beauty of New Zealand. I took a ferry to the Rangitoto Island where I hiked to the rim of the volcano. I was rewarded with postcard perfect views of Auckland and its many bays and islands.

View of Auckland over lava rocks

Rangitoto is the youngest volcano in Auckland at only 600 years which is young in volcano years. I could see that the lava hasn't been completely broken down yet as it lies around in large chunks.

Rangitoto crater

Most of the island is covered in vegetation that includes trees and bushes so that a large part of the walk was in the shade.

Mangrove walk

The island used to be inhabited until about 50 years ago. Since then it has been cleaned of human-introduced pests such as rats and mice that were killing too much wildlife.