Rangitoto Island

A mere 10km from Auckland's city centre, the low, conical island of Rangitoto is an unforgettable landscape of fractured black lava and unusaul plantlife. Auckland's youngest and largest volcano emerged 600 years ago, when molten magma pushed its way through the ocean floor of Auckland's inner harbour. Watched over by Motutapu Maori, the volcanic fireworks that lit the skies inspired local Maori tribes to record this spectacular event as the Sky of Blood.

The island's youth and consequent lack of soil make unusual conditions for plant life, with the conditions resulting in some unexpected vegetation. Rangitoto Island is home to the world's largest pohutukawa forest which clings precariously to the porous rockfaces. Other botanical oddities include the alpine moss found growing at sea level, and the epiphytes and mangroves growing directly out of lava.

Rangitoto Island is connected by a narrow causeway to Motutapu Island.