Rangitoto
lies some five miles North of Auckland harbour. It is an island formed by a
massive eruption some 800 years ago - it is therefore quite young.
Its importance to the city was underlined during World-War II when it was
used as a lookout for invading navies on account of its 360 degree view from the
craters summit.
Due
to an acute lack of ammunition, the artillerymen only got to fire practice
rounds from the islands 20 pound guns once every six months. They're accuracy
under siege therefore was questionable... Indeed, had an invasion been planned
using one ship which stopped all engines close to the island for a few hours,
the eager New Zealand defence force may have been able to fend it off.
The
Volcano summit can be reached by climbing - a four to five hour prospect. We
decide to take the 'train' up - a tractor towing two festooned 'carriages'.
Mercifully, the train takes the majority of the effort out of the climb - we
reach the summit on foot but via a well constructed boardwalk. The views are
spectacular but unfortunately still hazy from the distant rains.
