CANZ: Auckland Traditional Cache

About This Cache:

CANZ Auckland is hidden on Rangitoto Island, one of the most recognisable icons of the Auckland region. This island is a 5.5 km wide distinctive symmetrical shield volcano cone rising 260 metres high over the Hauraki Gulf. Rangitoto is the most recent and the largest (2311 hectares) of the approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field and was formed by a series of eruptions between 550 and 600 years ago. The volcano is not expected to become active again.
About 200 metres from the top of the mountain on the eastern side visitors can walk through some of about seven known lava tubes — tubes left behind after the passage of liquid lava. These tubes are cave-like and the longest is about 50 metres long.

There are virtually no streams on the island so plants rely on rainfall for moisture. It has the largest forest of Pohutukawa trees in the world. In total, more than 200 species of trees and flowers thrive on the island, including several species of orchid, as well as more than 40 types of fern.
The island is considered especially significant because all stages from raw lava fields to scrub establishment and sparse forests are visible. As lava fields contain no soil of the typical kind, windblown matter and slow breaking-down processes of the native flora are still in the process of transforming the island into a more habitable area for most plants.



A moat-like ring around the crater summit (clearly visible as the dips on either side of the summit) was created when the entire summit subsided back down the throat of the volcano during the cooling process. This sheltered, moister area was one of the first parts of the island to be colonized by plants. It now has some of the most diverse forest on the island and some of the most picturesque tracks. The cache is hidden on one of these tracks, off the trail to the lava tubes.

The track up to the summit has recently been upgraded and is a relatively easy walk, as is the track out to the cache. The fastest way from the cache to the summit is to continue past the cache site. This takes you along a short section of track with a marginally higher terrain rating, to the road and then along the boardwalk which winds around and up to the top, with great views along the way.

There are several daily ferries to the island from Auckland's main ferry terminal. These allow day trips to walk to the summit and back, with stunning views of the harbour and city, and to find some of the many caches on the island.

You are encouraged to include pictures with your log (just no spoilers).