Rangitoto in "Under The Mountain". Auckland. New Zealand.
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Punga and Paua
S 36° 47.220 E 174° 51.530
60H E 308944 N 5926617
"Under The Mountain' by Maurice Gee is a childrens story set in Auckland around the familiar landmarks of Lake Pupuke, Rangitoto Island and Mt Eden. Beneath Rangitoto, in a fantastic subterranean world, lurk the evil alien creatures.
Waymark Code: WM6CK1
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 05/13/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member BillsBayou
Views: 14

"Under the Mountain" is a dark fantasy adventure story about teenage twins who battle dark forces hidden beneath Auckland’s volcanoes.

Beneath the extinct volcanoes that surround the city, giant creatures are waking from a spellbound sleep that has lasted thousands of years. Their goal is the destruction of the world. Rachel and Theo Matheson are twins. Apart from their red hair, there is nothing remarkable about them - however they learn at an early age that they are different as they can each find objects the other has hidden by reading the thoughts of their companion. They are horrified to discover that they have a strange and awesome destiny: only the red-haired Matheson twins can save the world from the terror that lurks under the mountain.
When teenage twins Rachel and Theo investigate the creepy old house next door, they discover the Wilberforces - shape-shifting creatures that lurk beneath Auckland's ring of extinct volcanoes.
Guided by the mysterious Mr Jones and with the help of their older cousin Ricky, the twins must rekindle the unique powers they once shared if they are to destroy this ancient evil - before it destroys them.

The novel Under the Mountain, by New Zealand author Maurice Gee, has been in print since it was first published in 1979. The book has been a much loved classic for generations of younger readers and, in 1982, the story became a scary and hugely popular TV series that is vividly remembered today.

Maurice Gee is one of New Zealand’s most distinguished novelists. In 1979, Under the Mountain was his first novel written and published for teenage readers. The book has sold more than 70,000 copies and has often featured in the New Zealand school curriculum.

Under The Mountain by Maurice Gee.
Publisher: Puffin
ISBN: 0143318497

Short Description: Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. The 5.5 km wide island is an iconic and widely visible landmark of Auckland with its distinctive symmetrical shield volcano cone rising 260 metres (850 ft) high.

Book Title: Under The Mountain.

Author's Name: Maurice Gee.

Name of Waymarked Item: Rangitoto.

Location of Item: Hauraki Gulf near Auckland city, accessed by launch trips.

More Information:
The volcanic island of Rangitoto is where the slug-like aliens called the Wilberforces hide. It is linked by underground tunnels to the city of Auckland. The story contrasts a contemporary city setting, in an old house beside Lake Pupuke, with a fantastic subterranean world beneath the volcano of Rangitoto. Access to Rangitoto Island is provided by Fullers Launch trips from Auckland.


Link to more information about the book or waymarked item.: [Web Link]

First Year Published: Not listed

Admission Price?: Not Listed

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siff visited Rangitoto in "Under The Mountain".  Auckland. New Zealand. 11/03/2014 siff visited it
greysman visited Rangitoto in "Under The Mountain".  Auckland. New Zealand. 01/21/2011 greysman visited it
Punga and Paua visited Rangitoto in "Under The Mountain".  Auckland. New Zealand. 05/10/2009 Punga and Paua visited it
SMacB visited Rangitoto in "Under The Mountain".  Auckland. New Zealand. 05/05/2004 SMacB visited it

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