The Park Gates
Although native plants had a head start in colonising the young Rangitoto, some exotics have proved equally adaptable. While many exotics grew wild, carried from the mainland by birds, wind, or accidentally on shoes and clothing, others were deliberately brought here. Bach owners nurtured them, wishing to brighten Rangitoto and replicate their gardens at home. Hence you will find most exotics around sites of human habitation. Many of the introduced exotics have spread and are now a weed problem on the island.
The biggest influx of exotic plants occurred at the end of the 19th century as the result of Mr N Wilson’s dream to create a botanic park.
Wilson was an Englishman who planned to create a botanical park on Rangitoto in 1915, and who, together with a man named Leary, introduced such exotic plants as cacti, figs, pines and pawpaws. Together they planted exotic species along the track around the base of the cone, some of which can still be seen today.
The Wilson’s Park Track leads to the park entrance, two stone pillars, and through an area developed by him, but long since abandoned. The track is an interesting, but less commonly used, alternative route to the summit that branches off the Summit Tack before the Lava Caves Track turnoff.
The cache is a 4 litre screwtop container with logbook and pencil, and a selection of trading trinkets.
When placed this cache contained a special trackable, 'Curse of the FTF Geocoin #2'. Please read about the trackable before you set off to FTF this cache.