Tag Archives: Cornwall Park

Spring walks in Auckland

Winter in Auckland can be very wet and sometimes very cold. So to lift your spirits we have listed suggested walks where you can enjoy the signs of spring in Auckland.

Auckland Domain
Spring sunshine in Auckland Domain – at the duck pond

Winter walks in Auckland

Grab your rain jacket, hat and gloves and head outside to warm up with a winter walk!  Even though the weather may not appeal, walking will awaken your senses.

Cornwall Park © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

Go tree spotting in Cornwall Park, Mt Eden and Monte Cecilia Park; and enjoy the benefits of taking a walk on a crisp winter day.

Another place to walk in winter and enjoy the trees is Waiata Reserve which you can walk through on the Remerua to Hobson Bay Circuit.

We cover Cornwall Park and Mt Eden in our new book “Short walks in Auckland:Volcanoes“.

When the deciduous trees have dropped their leaves, more views are revealed, and on those beautiful, clear, dry winter days, the sun is great for warming up our bodies!

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Walks for teens

If you have been out walking around Auckland with your family as you have been growing up, being set free to go walking on your own will seem natural.

However, now that you are a teenager, if you haven’t had the opportunity to get out and explore Auckland , then we may be able to help.

As teens you love your freedom, but your parents will still want to be aware of where you are. Many of our short walks start from bus stops or train stations. Our self-guide walking brochures include a map and easy to follow detailed directions, which will hopefully keep you on track.

You could head off to explore on your own, with your best mate or a group of friends – your choice. You will get the chance to learn/improve map reading skills, find out how reliable (or not) the Auckland public transport system is, visit parts of Auckland that are new and interesting, and experience how quickly (or slowly) a parent will collect you when you have spent your fare home money.

To start, we have a good choice of free walk self-guide brochures that you can download – just enter your name and email address to get an email which will give you instructions. Fill in details HERE .

Here are 10 teen friendly walk ideas to get you going:
1. Walk around the volcanic crater called the Orakei Basin
2. Choose from 5 walks around Newmarket
3. Walk to the Auckland Museum from Britomart
4. Walk to the Wynyard Quarter from Britomart
5. Explore the Whau River walk in New Lynn
6. Walk alongside the Opanuku Stream in Henderson
7. Explore the Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden
8. From Devonport head up Mt Victoria and /or North Head
9. Coast to Coast walk from Britomart (or read the route backwards and start from Onehunga)
10. Walk from Greenwoods Corner to Cornwall Park or Pah Homestead

For more ideas for things to do, read: Free range teenagers

And just in case you didn’t know, this article explains how walking benefits teens.  Have fun and get walking!

University of Auckland walks – Epsom Campus

Stage Three of the University of Auckland short walks project, with five walking circuits starting and ending from the Epsom campus in Epsom Avenue.

If you would like free copies of these PDF brochures, please leave your request in the comment box below.

Stay on track…get other detailed guides with maps from our Walks Store

Volcano crater, Mount Saint John

Mount Saint John Loop
This walk takes you around Melville Park and up to the Mount Saint John volcano rim with views of One Tree Hill, Mount Eden and the Waitakere Ranges before dropping back down to the streets of Epsom.
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.5 kms)

 

 

Entrance to “Rannoch”

Newmarket Loop
This walk starts off along the residential Epsom streets and winds into Newmarket. From Newmarket, it is a straight run back to the start.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.24 kms)

 

 

Cornwall Park Loop
A flat walk that takes you to the Puriri Drive entrance to Cornwall Park, past the memorial fountain and statue of Sir John Logan Campbell.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.05 kms)

 

Streets of Epsom Loop
This flat walk is mostly along quiet tree-lined suburban streets.  Enjoy the original houses and well-tended gardens.
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.5 kms)

 

Mount Eden Loop
A walk through Mount Eden Village and a climb up to the summit of Mount Eden to take in the views of volcanoes and the city. Why visit Mount Eden?
Time: approx. 50 minutes. (about 4.5 kms) for full loop.  Optional shorter loop approx. 40 minutes

If you would like free copies of these PDF brochures, please leave your request in the comment box below.

Stay on track…get other detailed guides with maps from our Walks Store

Greenwoods Corner walks

These Auckland walks start from Greenwoods Corner.
Greenwoods Corner is a small village in the Auckland suburb of Epsom, nestled under One Tree Hill. It is named after William Greenwood whose homestead was on the site of the current ASB Bank. The village has a selection of small businesses; a great butcher, good cafes, restaurants, clothing and gift shops, and friendly people. Buses come and go regularly.

At Greenwoods Corner you could purchase picnic food, and then head out to visit  One Tree Hill/Cornwall Park to see the lambs, or visit the Stardome Observatory, then take a walk around the retail area, see heritage buildings, homes built in the early 1900’s with well-kept gardens, and local parks.

Greenwoods Corner Village, Auckland

View of Pah Homestead

Pah Homestead Loop
This central Auckland walk starts from Greenwoods Corner, takes you through the streets of Epsom to the beautiful big park of Monte Cecilia where you can walk around and view the extraordinary TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre within the wonderfully restored Pah Homestead.

Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
To see: Suburban streets, Monte Cecilia Park, Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, old trees – native and exotic, views of One Tree Hill and Mangere Mountain
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5 kms)

Walks in Auckland
One Tree Hill

Cornwall park/One Tree Hill Loop
Description: A mix of mainly level paths, and a few steep paths. Suitable for users of all ages and abilities, suitable for normal footwear and for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
To see: City views, harbour views, trees, Volcano, farm animals, observatory. The Park is home to many birds ranging from Native Pigeon, Fantail to California Quail, White-faced Heron and Paradise Shelduck.
Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 5.3kms)

You can download these free walks when you enter your contact details here

Walking with children on bikes and scooters

Walks in AucklandRecently a friend enquired about doing walks in Auckland with young children who like to ride bikes and scooters. This can be a lot of fun for the kids, and is a great way to get them into outdoor activities  while adults get their exercise and fresh air too.

Be prepared to carry the bike/scooter and also make sure your children know how to stop on downhill slopes (and warn them about how to use their muscles to go up hills!). Good idea to have a first aid kit handy and some water and snacks to keep up the energy!

The important thing to look for is mainly flat wide paths, so with that in mind here are a few ideas:
Cornwall Park * – the circular path does have hills
Western Springs – take some bread to feed the ducks!
Albany Lakes Civic Park – An urban oasis, this 6.4ha Albany Park has an art bridge, water features, an outdoor staging area and two large storm water lakes.

Waiaturua Reserve – Wander over wide open spaces, enjoy the beauty of the wetland environ or explore pockets of bush. With wide pathways established for walking and jogging and a landscape that includes extensive native planting. See more of Waiaturua Reserve.

Watercare Coastal Walkway – 7kms one-way from Ambury Farm to Otuataua Stonefields
Henderson Creek Cycleway
Opanuku Walk & Cycleway  – Twin Streams Walk & Cycleways Fun Map
Te Atatu Peninsula Walkway *
Pikes Point/Onehunga Foreshore walkway – Southdown to Mangere
Sanders Reserve
Onepoto Basin

(Those marked with an * are currently included in Short Walks in Auckland self-guides.)

More ideas from the NZ Herald here

And some other great bike rides for when the children are older – Bicycle Culture on Auckland’s North Shore.

If you have another suggestions, please share and post in the comment box below. Thanks!

Have fun!walks in Auckland

Walks in Auckland – One Tree Hill

Walks in Auckland


One of my “most-walked” walks in Auckland is the loop of Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill. This volcano walk is right on my doorstep, I can walk there from my home.

Each season of the year can be enjoyed in this park – from the lambs and daffodils in the spring to the autumn colours in April through to pohutukawa flowers in December. Even when the leaves have dropped from the old oak trees in winter, the trees still look majestic.

Tree lovers may like to read this NZ Herald article: Growing our heritage

Watch video highlights: Walks in Auckland – Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill

The park has many things to enjoy. There are large areas of grass for picnics and ball games. There are the cattle and sheep and birds. There are native New Zealand trees such as the pohutukawa and the yellow flowers of the kowhai, and introduced species such as the oaks and eucalyptus trees. The information centre next to the Cornwall Park Restaurant provides leaflets on all the trees in the park plus information on other aspects.

One Tree Hill is a volcano and it has a fabulous view from the summit that takes in views of other Auckland volcanoes (Mt Eden, Mt Hobson, Mangere Mountain, Rangitoto Island, Mt Wellington, Mt Roskill) as well as views of both harbours – the Waitemata and the Manukau.

The park has picnic areas and barbecues, a bandstand and flower beds. And places where children enjoy riding bicycles and scooters. It includes a children’s playground as well as the Stardome Observatory Planetarium. It really is a great place to spend a day.

For visitors who have to choose between visiting One Tree Hill and Mt Eden – One Tree Hill is a larger area with more to see, sheep and cattle, a cafe plus a fine view from the summit. Whereas Mt Eden has a huge crater and a fabulous view of Auckland City.

If you like a bit of a laugh, in 2008 my son James created a 12 part video series titled ‘Steve McGill of One Tree Hill’ which you may enjoy watching.  “Meet Steve, a farmhand on Auckland’s One Tree Hill who has many misadventures. He loves his job, his gumboots and his sheep.”

Description: A mix of mainly level paths, and a few steep paths. Suitable for users of all ages and abilities, suitable for normal footwear and for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
To see: City views, harbour views, trees, Volcano, farm animals, observatory. The Park is home to many birds ranging from Native Pigeon, Fantail to California Quail, White-faced Heron and Paradise Shelduck.
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.14kms).
Parking: Carpark, Manukau Road entrance.

12 Volcano Walks

Suggested Cafés:
1) Frolic Café, Manukau Road opposite the park entrance. We have had many coffees here – children friendly.
2) Cornwall Park restaurant and ice-cream kiosk
3) Various at Greenwoods Corner (Golf Road exit).

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store  (AC-001 Cornwall Park) and our Book Store (Volcanoes). Or you can download it for free when you sign up in the box at the top right hand side of this page.

Walks in Auckland – Mt Eden/Maungawhau

Mt Eden/Maungawhau is one of the many volcano walks in Auckland, and one of the most popular places to visit.

Mt Eden boasts spectacular views of the city centre and surrounding region. Most people take a coach to the summit, hop out, take photos and then get back on the coach again.

Today, Grace and I walked around and over the summit in the summer humidity.

There are some shady tracks that do give relief from the heat. These tracks can be slippery when wet so we advise suitable footwear. Mt Edens walking paths and tracks are not as developed as the ones in Cornwall Park. It feels like more of a country walk than a city walk. But it does allow us to do the Mt Eden ‘Round the Maunga walk’.

As I mentioned the views are spectacular. Which is the highlight of this walk, as well as of course, getting the outdoor exercise. This is an excellent workout walk for people who are watching their weight because of the steep inclines and steps.

For visitors who have to choose between visiting One Tree Hill and Mt Eden – One Tree Hill is a larger area with more to see, sheep and cattle, a cafe plus a fine view from the summit. Whereas Mt Eden has a huge crater and a fabulous view of Auckland City. There is a good choice of cafes in Mt Eden Village, a children’s playground and an off-leash dog area.

Auckland City provide a Mt Eden Heritage brochure for people who enjoy history.  More info online here.

Find this walk and other walks in Central Auckland here.