Maungakiekie Summit: A Tour of One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park
Buy for a Group
Reviews
About the Tour
About the Tour
Auckland’s volcanic landscape tells stories from over 60,000 years ago. On this walking tour through Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill) and Cornwall Park, you’ll explore 670 acres of rolling farmland, ancient volcanic slopes, and carefully preserved heritage. You’ll discover how an extinct volcano became one of New Zealand’s largest pre-European archaeological sites, witness Sir John Logan Campbell’s vision of a working public park, and experience a landscape where sheep still graze within sight of the city skyline.
This circular tour starts at the Stardome Observatory on the park’s southern edge. You’ll climb to the summit of Maungakiekie, passing terraced slopes that once supported thousands in a fortified Māori village. From the top, you’ll take in 360-degree views across Auckland’s two harbours, spot Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island, and understand why this volcanic cone was so strategically important for centuries.
You’ll stroll beneath oak trees along Twin Oak Drive and discover gardens built after WWII hospital buildings were removed. The tour ends back at the Stardome Observatory, with the playground and nearby restaurants just steps away.
On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Stand beside the 1940 obelisk at the summit, where Sir John Logan Campbell lies buried, with views across the entire city
- Walk the most extensively terraced volcanic cone in Auckland, shaped deliberately over generations as a major Māori pā
- Explore Huia Lodge, where the official opening ceremony was held for Campbell’s 1903 gift of Cornwall Park to the public
- Wander through olive groves and visit Acacia Cottage, one of Auckland’s oldest surviving timber dwellings
- Discover the Rongo Stone, an ancient representation of the Māori god of kūmara found at Three Kings volcano
- Spot guineafowl roaming the farm, one of the few places in New Zealand where these African game birds thrive
- Find the Hidden Garden, a secluded 1938 quarry transformed into a sanctuary for rare native plants
This tour reveals how volcanic geology, Māori heritage, and colonial vision shaped one of Auckland’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Tim McCready
Kia ora! I’m Tim. I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, exploring parks, volcanoes and beaches. Auckland’s beautiful maunga (mountains) have been part of my life for as long as I can remember — they're places to walk, think, run, and occasionally get a little lost.
I’ve spent years travelling — wandering cities and landscapes across Europe, Asia, and closer to home around Aotearoa New Zealand. I’m always drawn to the hidden details: the stories of streets and hillsides, the layers of history beneath everyday places, and the sights that aren't always obvious from a map.
I love walking as a way of thinking — and telling stories as a way of slowing down and really noticing where you are. If these tours help you understand place that is new to you, or see a familiar spot a little differently, then it’s done its job. Thanks for walking with me!
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 3
About One Tree Hill - Maungakiekie
::
Maungakiekie is one of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s grea... Read More
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
-
One Tree Hill Monument
-
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill
-
Acacia Cottage
-
Huia Lodge
-
Memorial Steps
-
Cornwall Park Cherry blossom
-
Cornwall Park Cafe
-
Band Rotunda, Cornwall Park
-
Hidden Garden
-
Auckland Archery Club
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
-
Start location670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
-
Total distance6km
-
Final locationTimber Trail, Auckland, New Zealand
-
Distance back to start location160.7m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins right outside the entrance to the Stardome Observatory & Planetarium. This is just inside the Manukau Road entrance to Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill.
If you're coming from the city centre, this is very easy to reach by bus. Catch the '30' bus from outside the Civic on Queen Street (it comes every 15 minutes), and get off at the Maungakiekie stop right outside the entrance to the park.
If you're coming by car, there is parking inside the park close to the Observatory, and also on surrounding streets (Haydn Ave is the closest).
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
This walk passes through Maungakiekie and Cornwall Park, which offer plenty of places to pause along the way. You’ll find picnic areas, free-to-use BBQs, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and drinking fountains throughout the park.
Along the route, you can explore Acacia Cottage, one of Auckland’s oldest surviving wooden houses, which is open to the public. There are also cafés and eateries within the park, including the Cornwall Park Bistro.
You’ll also pass through formal and informal gardens, walk beneath historic specimen trees, and hear a surprising amount of birdlife, with both native and introduced species commonly seen throughout the park.
Cornwall Park hosts a range of events and activities throughout the year. It’s worth checking what’s on during your visit at cornwallpark.co.nz.
Best time of day
The park is open from 7am to 9pm on weekdays, weekends and public holidays during daylight saving hours. During winter months, the park is open from 7am to 6pm.
This walk can be enjoyed year-round. In spring and autumn, the weather is mild and the park is at its most colourful. Spring brings blossoms and new growth, while autumn offers quieter paths and softer light. Summer is also popular, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. In winter, the walk is still rewarding, but paths can be damp after rain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Precautions
This is a well-formed and popular walk, but it’s still worth coming prepared. Some sections are exposed, so on sunny days bring sunblock, a hat, and water. Drinking fountains are available along the route, but it’s a good idea to carry a bottle.
Paths are mostly sealed, but there are slopes and steps, and surfaces can be slippery after rain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Weather in Auckland can change quickly, so a light jacket or umbrella is useful if the forecast looks changeable. Take care around grazing animals — keep a respectful distance — and stay on marked paths to help protect the park and its heritage.
Get The App
Get The App
Last Updated
Questions and Reviews
