Mt Eden - the volcano

We just went up again today because it's a holiday Monday (Queen's Birthday) - at least the twentieth time we've been up there. According to Trip Advisor, it's number 7 out of 265 things to do in Auckland.

Auckland is a city built on 50 or so dormant (not extinct!) volcanoes; Mt Eden (Maungawhau) at 196 metres is the largest one of them (and the highest natural point in the city) and it's very close to the city centre. Many of the others can be seen from this one.

Cars are no longer allowed to drive up to the summit (as of 2016); there's a large car park at the foot of the volcano and it's a short walk up from there. The number 274 & 277 buses from the city (Britomart) travel along Mt Eden Road. Get off at Honeywell's building for the car park route but a better route is the southern walkway accessible from the end of Batger Road. Stay on the bus until you get into Mt Eden Village where there are plenty of good cafes and bars (Circus Circus, The Garden Shed) and walk back towards the city.

The southern track up Mt Eden

The trail is not too steep nor too rugged - most people who can walk for half an hour or so should find it pretty easy; it's only a leisurely fifteen minute walk from the bottom to the summit. As you walk up the trail there are good views towards One Tree Hill (no 13 on Trip Advisor) and the Bombay Hills to the south. There are a couple of short flights of steps (six or seven) going upwards and a crash barrier to hop over at the roadside and then its a sealed roadway for the last 200 metres.

Eden Park with the Waitakere ranges in the background

Eden Park

Just before the final turn to the summit there are views to the west towards the Waitakere Ranges (no 8) with the rugby stadium Eden Park (no 90) in the foreground.

The crater of Mt Eden

Mt Eden Crater

On the last stretch to the summit, the green crater falls away to the left 50 metres down. Visitors are requested not to go down the slopes into the crater - it's considered tapu (sacred) by the local Maori.

The triangulation point at the summit

At the top there's a triangulation point and a brass 'map' showing the Auckland area and directions and distances to many cities in the world.

The southern suburbs towards Manukau Heads

Towards the south there's a view to the Manukau Heads where the Tasman Sea enters to become Manukau Harbour and then the airport, about 20km out from the city.

One Tree Hill

Further round there's One Tree Hill (made famous in a song by U2) and Alexandra Park - home of Auckland's trotting races.

Mt Hobson

Newmarket Viaduct

Panning round to the east is a view to the Hunua Ranges and then Waiheke Island (no 4). In the foreground are several more volcanoes including Mt Hobson and Mt Wellington and in the background is the northern tip of the Coromandel.

Devonport and Rangitoto

Round towards the north is Rangitoto (no 6), the largest and newest volcano sitting 5km out in the Hauraki Gulf. Between the city and Rangitoto is Devonport (no 9) with two more volcanoes, Victoria Peak and North Head (no 16).

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Closer to us there's the Auckland War Memorial Museum (no 2) which hosts the annual dawn ANZAC ceremony on the 25th of April each year.

Sky Tower and the Auckland CBD

In the city, the 328 metre tall Sky Tower (no 5) has been an icon for twenty years. It features a revolving restaurant, a Skywalk, a Skyjump and a casino at the base.

Auckland Harbour Bridge

And then further round is Auckland's answer to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.