Mount Eden
Maungawhau / Mount Eden
The highest extinct volcano in Auckland's city area (196 m), with a well-preserved 50 m deep bowl-shaped crater; 360-degree views from the summit over the CBD, the Sky Tower, and both harbors, free of charge.
Mount Eden, known in Māori as Maungawhau, meaning 'mountain of the whau tree,' lies 3 km south of the CBD. At 196 m, it is the highest volcanic cone on the Auckland isthmus. It erupted roughly 28,000 years ago, and its summit crater is about 50 m deep and 100 m across. Māori regard the site as tapu (sacred), so entering the crater is forbidden. It was once a Māori fortified village (pā), and terraces and storage pits can still be seen on the slopes. It was named in the 1840s after Lord Eden, a former British prime minister. In 2014 it was returned to Māori tribal ownership along with the Auckland volcanic field, to be jointly managed, and a World Heritage nomination is under way. The summit has a bronze orientation table, offering 360-degree views over the Auckland CBD and the Sky Tower, the Waitematā and Manukau harbors, Rangitoto Island, One Tree Hill, and other volcanic cones. It is the classic panorama spot, especially at sunset and in the blue hour. Access: since 2019, private cars have been banned from the summit road (people with mobility needs can apply for access). From the foot of the hill, either the Mount Eden Road or Puhi Huia Road entrance, it's a 10 to 15 minute walk up. The slope is gentle, with steps as a shortcut. A free electric shuttle is available for people with limited mobility only. At the base there is the Whau Visitor Centre and a café. Nearby: Mt Eden Village has cafés and restaurants (such as Frasers and Circus Circus); Eden Park, the home of the All Blacks rugby team, is a 20-minute walk away; and 3 km south, One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) and Cornwall Park have sheep and a larger Māori village site. Transport: take bus 27H or 27W from the CBD for about 15 minutes to the Mount Eden Rd stop and walk up, or take an Uber to the foot of the hill. Notes: entering or stepping into the crater is strictly forbidden; the summit is very windy, so bring a jacket; there are no streetlights at night, so bring a headlamp for the night view; do not picnic on the grassy slopes or leave litter.
Opening hours
All day (summit trail 07:00 to after sunset; road gate closes approx. 19:00 in winter, 20:30 in summer)
Nearby sights
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Auckland Domain & Wintergardens
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
- Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill & Cornwall Park
- Queen Street
- Sky Tower
- Viaduct Harbour
- New Zealand Maritime Museum