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USD $50.00
Rangitoto Island Tour from Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Take in the magnificent lava fields and natural beauty of Rangitoto, the volcanic island that is one of Auckland’s most iconic landmarks. Enjoy a short ferry ride to the island then board your 4-wheel drive (4WD) tram to a spot near the island’s summit, where a short walk to the top rewards you with magnificent views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. Your guide will provide informative commentary about the island’s history, geology and surprisingly rich plant life, including the world's largest pohutukawa forest.
Catch your ferry at downtown Auckland’s ferry terminal and relax on the 25-minute trip to Rangitoto Island where you’ll meet your 4WD tram (pulled by a tractor). Hop aboard for a guided tour of the volcanic island with a knowledgeable guide who provides commentary on the island's geology, plant life and human history.
You'll journey across rugged lava fields as your guide explains the origins of the island, formed about 700 years ago after a series of volcanic eruptions. About 200 species of moss, plants and trees, including the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world, now thrive on the island.
The 4WD tram takes you to the base of the summit where you’ll walk a half mile (900m) along a wooden boardwalk to reach the top. Be sure to bring your camera for fantastic panoramic shots of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. You might also spot birds native to New Zealand, such as the saddleback, tui and fantail.
Once you have soaked in the scenery from Rangitoto’s summit, you’ll rejoin the tour vehicle for the return trip via the western side of the island. Pass some of the preserved bachs–modest beach homes that were built in the 1920s. Bach settlements have almost disappeared in New Zealand, making Rangitoto's a rare example of this piece of architectural history. You may also see remnants of obsolete ships that, in the old days, were left to rot on the island’s hidden shores.
Be sure to bring enough snacks, water and sunscreen for the day as there are no stores on the island. A moderate level of fitness is needed for the walk to the top of the summit; people who do not want to do the walk can enjoy the views from the base.
A very enjoyable day. The driver's narration was interesting and informative and the weather was glorious!
Review by: Karen R, April 2018
Interesting island and the train made it easy to see. They handed out ponchos and it did pour while we were at the summit. Got really windy and poured down so take the poncho when offered. They did not allow time to see the lava tubes on the guided tour, we had brought flashlights to see them, so don't have to tote torches for this. You could probably go on your own but, would have to catch a latter ferry. Nice ferry ride and the train ride made it easy to complete.
Review by: Debra S, March 2018
I loved it but then I love to hike. My husband not so much. Be aware you are walking on a volcano lava rock and it is a long steep walk to the top. Glad we went on a cloudy day. I love the view once you reach the peak. Be certain to wear good supportive shoes, you're feet will be tired from the trip. Saw many people who had fallen from slipping on the lava rock and were scraped up from the experience. Never fret it is beautiful and fun.
Review by: Hiromi G, March 2018
The Guide was very informative and able to see views without too much hard walk by pulled by tractor. It's around half hour walk from tractor to see view so able to enjoy walk and to see all around of the island. Then back on the tractor to go around to see volcanic stones then back to pier. It is a beautiful view. You go to pier 2 to exchange your voucher at ticket window then go to pier 4 to get on the boat which not stated at the time of booking. It seemed lots of people had trouble at the pier.
Review by: Harry S, February 2018
The tallest and newest of the volcanoes that dot the Auckland landscape. The views from the topare spectacular. It's a 15 minute hike up a boardwalk with 350 stairs to get up there but it's worth it. There are also several large lava fields that simply don't look like anything you'd think would occur naturally. The guide was adequate although not as good as some others we've had.
Review by: Shannon K, February 2018
This was a very good tour, just wish the weather would have cooperated!
Review by: Emmanuel D, February 2018
The tour was good value for money. A half day tour lets you spend the morning in a volcano island with interesting sights and a view of the harbor and city
Review by: ra.paw, January 2018
More stops and possibility for short walks would make this trip much better.
Review by: GOPALAKRISHNAN V, December 2017
Nice day out and an unusual experience of driving through lava fields
Review by: Joseph S, November 2017
The tour itself was amazing. The only reason for giving 3 stars instead of 5 is because of my experience with Viator. Do yourself a favour and don’t book with them. They double sold our tour and then didn’t do anything to help us once they had our money. I had to contact fullers myself.
Review by: Carole D, November 2017
Although it was nice to be pulled up the peak of the volcano, I found that the guide seemed rushed. He suggested that we did not have enough time to visit the caves, yet we returned to the terminal 2 hrs prior to last ferry returning to Auckland.
Review by: corespec, November 2017
Tour is highly recommended. After a short trip by ferry across Auckland harbor you disembark on the island. Then begins your trip towards the top of the volcano in a trailer with seats, pulled by a tractor. An interesting commentary is provided along the way. Upon reaching the bottom of the boardwalk, you are then faced with a relatively easy 380 step climb to the volcano rim. From here you get 360 degree views of the other islands as well as back to Auckland. Once you return to the tractor, you begin your descent down the other side of the volcano, arriving back at the jetty in plenty of time to catch the next ferry back to Auckland. Note - you need to bring your own water and snacks as there are no facilities on the island and the only conveniences are at the start and the midway stop.
Review by: Natasha P, November 2017
This was a good tour but in all honesty you can do it yourself. The walking tracks are very easily laid out and you can then stop at the many picturesque places along the way._br/_ This was probably my only gripe, when in the 4wd the guide doesnt really stop to allow you to take pics of the bays etc.
Review by: Laura T, October 2017
Loved doing the tractor pull to the top! My husband and I had just recently arrived in Auckland and were super jet-lagged and exhausted, so this was such a perfect trip to see some of Auckland without having to exert ourselves too much. Next time, we'll plan a bit more time to explore Rangitoto ourselves! Would definitely do this again. A very well organized tour.
Review by: Wayne G, September 2017
Excellent trip. The tractor driver/guide was lovely and gave some great commentary throughout our tour. The walk to the very top gives some beautiful views throughout. Well worth going. If you do book it and go from Auckland CBD, check at one of the ticket booths which pier you should be on. Viator told us Pier2 in our booking when it was actually Pier4 - we nearly missed the ferry.....
Review by: antonio h, July 2017
Lucky to have a private tour. Great views and learned a lot of history.
Review by: Edouard S, June 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: meijer, April 2017
Cruise Ship was delayed but we were able to change to afternoon tour. They went beyond to accommodate us. Great tour!
Review by: Tricia, April 2017
Ferry ride from Auckland to island and then trolley ride around island. Bring a towel to sit on while in the trolley. Seats are old but it is a nice tour of the island. Be ready to climb quite a bit to the top of Rangitoto. I was able to do it and I smoked for 38 years and have been off of cigarettes for 2 years. I did need to stop and catch my breath a few moments a few times, but it was a nice nature walk/climb and I was able to see some of the birds and wildlife on the island. The lava fields were amazing. I had never seen anything like that before! The mangroves were a sight and the coast line was wild and beautiful. I would recommend this day tour to anyone visiting Auckland which is an amazing city as well.
Review by: Ralph G, March 2017
Lovely ferry ride out and back - we saw some orcas near the Rangitoto pier. The ride around the island was bumpy and a bit tedious, but the scenery was interesting and the view of Auckland from the rim of the volcano was worth the trip.
Review by: Mervyn L, March 2017
An excellent trip out and well worth the time to see an unspoilt island not too far from central Auckland
Review by: ANNA P, February 2017
A very beautiful experience.
Review by: William M, February 2017
The tour was great but I have now discovered that I could have purchased the 2 tickets direct from Fullers and I would have saved 20.
Review by: Kate, January 2017
This tour was really nice.
Review by: Kalpana S, November 2016
The tour was great! I enjoyed the ride around the island and then, the walk up the volcano. The views were breathtaking as was the walk around the rim of the volcano.
Review by: Barbara C, October 2016
Was just as described, very enjoyable, friendly staff
Review by: zon05454, October 2016
Beautiful views and scenery! The 200 steps were more like 300. Tough climb to the top but views were amazing!
Review by: Jamie C, September 2016
The guide was waiting right outside the pier, as advertised. The vehicle made me feel like it was a combo of a Disney train and the Little Engine That Could fun and quaint. The scenery was amazing, and the guide knew TONS to talk about I especially liked learning about the rehab of the island, and the oral Mauri tradition of seeing it explode out of the ocean. The hike up to the top of the island isn't overly hard, and the views from the top are astounding you can really tell why it was a lookout point in times of conflict. Note: make sure you leave yourself enough time at the Auckland Pier, to exchange your Viator trip printout coupon, for actual physical tickets. I got lucky, in that there was no line at the ticket counter but that could've easily been a 30-minute ordeal if there was a line-- which would've made me miss the ferry, because I arrived at the pier only 10 minutes prior to departure time.
Review by: Jamie C, September 2016
The guide was waiting right outside the pier, as advertised. The vehicle made me feel like it was a combo of a Disney train and the Little Engine That Could fun and quaint. The scenery was amazing, and the guide knew TONS to talk about I especially liked learning about the rehab of the island, and the oral Mauri tradition of seeing it explode out of the ocean. The hike up to the top of the island isn't overly hard, and the views from the top are astounding you can really tell why it was a lookout point in times of conflict. Note: make sure you leave yourself enough time at the Auckland Pier, to exchange your Viator trip printout coupon, for actual physical tickets. I got lucky, in that there was no line at the ticket counter but that could've easily been a 30-minute ordeal if there was a line-- which would've made me miss the ferry, because I arrived at the pier only 10 minutes prior to departure time.
Review by: Nicholas A, September 2016
Interesting experience. Certainly not the usual excursion.
Review by: Bill, September 2016
Fantastic
Review by: Vivyan T, July 2016
Beautiful!
Review by: Robert K, May 2016
The Rangitoto Tour is the perfect way to visit that young volcanic island in a half-day. Although the 300 steps to the top is daunting for some, it is doable even at my age.
Review by: Keely, May 2016
The Rangitoto Tour is the perfect way to visit that young volcanic island in a half-day. Although the 300 steps to the top is daunting for some, it is doable even at my age.
Review by: rainy, April 2016
It was OK. Island only pretty at beach rest is lava rocks and ride is soo dusty and uncomfortable. Walking up to see sights was nice. Maybe a closed in jeep would have been better. Don't know what could have been done.
Review by: John B, April 2016
exactly as advertised. and a little off the beaten path.
Review by: rainy, March 2016
Great volcano tour-Does not look like volcano from top but is. Great ride to steps, informative guide. Rough ride but nice if no back issues. There are bathrooms at bottom of volcano. Beautiful views from top and on way up. Nice place to visit - Glad I did it.
Review by: Scott F, February 2016
awesome experience!
Review by: bknute72, February 2016
Tour exactly as described. There is a long hike up to the crater area, but worth the effort. Our driver was very knowledgable. The tram pulled by the tractor has NO suspension, so the ride is VERY bouncy.
Review by: Bernadette C, January 2016
it was wonderful to see a place kept protected and preserved for the later generation!!!!
Review by: Daphne H, November 2015
An interesting way to spend the afternoon. Information on the island given by 'train' driver very interesting. The view from the islands summit was well with the 300 steps to get up to it. Wasn't sure whether I would manage the steps but they are very gradual and not too hard at all.
Review by: Ellen B, October 2015
This was interesting, but if probably would not highly recommend. Long ferry ride, then we got on a wagon and were hauled by a tractor. Interesting things along the way. The scenic views on the walk up and down were exactly what I expected New Zealand to look like. Special
Review by: Wendy S, October 2015
Excellent experience. Highly recommended. Be sure to understand that to get to the top requires about 300 stairs. Although these are organized into many smaller groupings with relatively flat boardwalks in between, it is a tiring climb up. But, well worth the view from the top!
Review by: Helen H, October 2015
Wonderful tour, great guide!
Review by: Naomi W, September 2015
Beautiful views.
Review by: alehtsan, April 2015
Great commentary from the guide. Recommend doing this as there was transport. You can walk around the island but you might risk missing the ferry. There are no shops on this island.
Review by: alehtsan, April 2015
Great commentary from the guide. Recommend doing this as there was transport. You can walk around the island but you might risk missing the ferry. There are no shops on this island.
Review by: alehtsan, April 2015
Great commentary from the guide. Recommend doing this as there was transport. You can walk around the island but you might risk missing the ferry. There are no shops on this island.
Review by: ann h, March 2015
Really enjoyed the tour. Very informative. The speaker did cut out a couple of times tho.
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