Rangitoto erupted out of the sea about 600 years ago, which must have been both spectacular and inconvenient for the Maori inhabitants of neighbouring Motutapu Island as ash falls buried their villages and preserved their footprints.

Now it's one of the 47 islands in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park administered by the Department of Conservation and a 30 minute ferry trip from downtown Auckland. In the summer hundreds of daytrippers go over to see the pohutakawa forest flowering crimson and to climb to the summit (about an hour's walk) for the stunning views.

The picture used for our logo was taken on a still, clear winter's day (1st July 2001), when we hired a double sea kayak from Ferg's Kayaks in Okahu Bay (5 minutes' drive from downtown) and paddled over. If the wind and tide are right it's about an hour's paddling for reasonably fit and experienced adults, though you do have to watch out for the ferries, the occasional giant container ship and aerial bombardment from the prolific birdlife! Coming back, however, just always seems to take a bit longer, but if you're lucky, you might see some dolphins!