Rangitoto is the youngest volcanic island of New Zealand - is located in the Hauraki Gulf, is part of new Zealand's largest city Auckland.

The island was declared a nature reserve, lots of native plants listed in the Red Book. Square Rangitoto is about 23 square kilometers, it has the shape of an almost perfect circle, the diameter of which is 5, 5 km Rangitoto origin volcanic island. The height of an extinct volcano, located in the heart of the island is 260 meters. Large areas of Rangitoto covered with solidified lava black.

The island is devoid of rivers, plants take moisture only from rainfall and groundwater. Despite this, Rangitoto covered with dense vegetation. There are more than 200 species of trees, several species of orchids and more than forty species of fern. And here is one of the world's largest forest tree pohutukawa (Metrosideros felt) is an evergreen plant with large crown in the form of a ball. At the end of December pohutukawa begins to bloom with bright colors mostly red and Burgundy tones that give the island an unusually beautiful appearance.

Rich and varied vegetation of the island is of particular value, so tenderly protected by the state. Travelers arriving by ferry from Auckland, please wipe your shoes so as not to be left seeds of plants that when mixed with plants of the island may violate the uniqueness of its fauna. As the authorities protect the island from rodents that can harm rare birds that live here, and plants. The island everywhere set traps for mice and rats, and tourists arriving on the island, visiting for the presence of these rodents. You can't burn the fires, put up tents and even bring their own dogs. Nature should remain untouched, and human presence - invisible.

For tourists on the island trails conducted with an impromptu viewing platforms, boardwalks footpaths, signposts, benches and a small makeshift gazebos. However, all signs of civilization come to an end. New buildings are forbidden to build, so of the buildings on the island are only the old wooden buildings of the mid-20th century and the house caretaker.

During the Second World war, the island was closed to visitors, it was used for defense against the Japanese fleet. Today, on its Northern shore, you can see the broken ships of that time.