The lava
Black and rough.
Bjankuloski06 — CC BY 4.0 · Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia — Public domain · Andrew Harvey — CC BY 3.0 · Andrew Harvey — CC BY 3.0 · GPS 56 from New Zealand — CC BY 2.0
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, about 5.5 km across, shaped as an even shield volcano rising to 260 metres. It is the youngest and largest volcano of the Auckland volcanic field, which has about fifty. It erupted in two phases around 1450 and 1500 AD and covers about 2,311 hectares. Its Māori name means bloody sky, from the story of Tama-te-kapua, captain of the Arawa canoe, who was wounded here. Since the Second World War a causeway has linked it to neighbouring Motutapu Island, which is far older. From the sea you see a low, even green cone stretching along the horizon. On the island are fields of rough black lava, with forests of pohutukawa trees and tree ferns growing between them. From the summit a view opens over Auckland's towers, the gulf and the islands. It is about 11 km from central Auckland in a straight line, reached by ferry. Bring water and good shoes, as there are no services on the island.
Black and rough.
Auckland views.
Among the lava.
Hauraki Gulf, near Auckland, New Zealand
By ferry from central Auckland.
Bloody sky, in Māori.