Mt Eden

Mt Eden – wow. I don’t even know where to begin…
I will say that if you get the chance to come up here, you can skip the Sky Tower, although that has its own unique experience.
Mount Eden, the neighborhood itself, is an absolute gem with lovely people and houses with beautiful fruit trees on their front yards – definitely worth a walk to get away from the city if you want to experience more of the residential areas. Walking up to the top is a little tricky if you don’t know your way around – not every entrance will lead up to the main attraction. We accidentally walked from the Normanby Road side, and let’s just say that it lead to a few unconventional ways to finally get on the right path…
The views are definitely breathtaking and although it’s not much tough of a hike up, just please, please, please don’t forget your sneakers and comfortable clothes – you will need those. I don’t think there’s anywhere else you can get an extraordinary, raw 360 view of Auckland in its natural realm. You can see everything beautiful that Auckland has to offer, from the cute villages, the CBD, to the islands surrounding – fantastic scenery at its best. It was also fascinating to see and meet some strong runners who ran up to the top because the elevation is pretty high! This was probably one of the top highlights of my stay in Auckland because it was extremely fun and challenging getting up there, but the reward was so much better.

Living in New Zealand means being constantly surrounded by nature. Even when you’re in the heart of city there are numerous parks and bits greenery dotted about. This abundance of natural beauty is fantastic, but means Ive become so accustomed to the natural charm of our country that I sometimes forget my sense of wonder. Luckily, after an energetic hike up to the tip of Mt Eden, I was once again reminded how stunning Auckland is.
Some people travel up Mt Eden by car, but I can’t recommend enough the experience of ascending by foot. This way you really appreciate how huge the Mt is and the gorgeous panoramic views are accompanied by a sense of triumph. So next time you want to see something beautiful, get some comfy shoes on and walk all the way to the top — You’ll be breathless for a number of reasons.

Gives you a whole lot of perspective on how beautiful Auckland and NZ really is, love this place.

I love living close to Mt Eden and being able to walk /​run up it (depending on how energetic I am feeling).
Amazing views, day and night — it also makes a great spot for a picnic.
And a tip: If you go up to the summit via the walkway on Owens Road, you’ll pass a good swing for the kids (and kids at heart).

Mt Eden is one of Aucklands many Volcanic monuments located in the CBD. It is a perfect place to go for a walk or run, to show friends and family (not from Auckland), or to even enjoy the view yourself; receiving 360 degree views of Auckland city. You are able to drive right up to the summit, however if it’s a glorious day that can get quite busy so there is parking conveniently located at the bottom of the mountain. There is now a shuttle service that will take you up the top from the lower car park. This is a perfect idea if you have small children, elderly, or would rather not walk up. Mt Eden has spectacular views and certainly worth checking out.

The summit of Mt Eden is spectacular. It’s the perfect place for an Auckland adventure, especially for those on a tight budget because it doesn’t cost a thing. The full 360 degree panorama you see of Auckland is amazing. The crater itself is really cool to look down on too, and let’s be honest, who isn’t fascinated my volcanoes?
The views from My Eden are awesome during the day, and at night it’s quite a different experience. Seeing the sea of lights in all directions is simply beautiful and I love this night view of Auckland. The gates close at 9pm though, so if you are planning to drive up for the night view, make sure you get there well before they kick you out.

The volcanic nature of Auckland is inescapable from the summit of Mt. Eden; from every aspect you can see another volcano. Thank goodness most of them are extinct or dormant now!
Maungawhau, the Maori name for Mt. Eden, is an important place for Ngati Whatua, and during business hours they have guides at the top of the mountain that will tell you about the history of the mountain, focusing especially on its indigenous history. They’ll also point out local sights and just provide general tourist advice.
Note that buses are no longer permitted to go right up to the summit car park now and must park in a lower car park; some tour companies offer van shuttles to the top but some offer the option to walk. If you’d prefer not to, or are unable to walk the few hundred metres, make sure you check this with your tour company.

A breath taking panoramic of Auckland City. I had been living in Auckland for a couple of years before I went to the top of Mt Eden, I had been up the Sky Tower, up One Tree Hill, and thought that I had more or less covered my bases. But I eventually discovered that the top of Mt Eden has the best views of Auckland City which are available. I’ll always remember going up there to watch a meteor which was visible in Auckland late 2008. The whole summit was packed, but we managed to find a cozy spot in the grass, cracked a few beers, and just watched this meteor carve up the Auckland sky.

Mt Eden is a classic tourist destination but is also a great place for Auckland natives to spend a sunny day. From the top of the mountain you can see the ENTIRE CITY; from the North Shore, to CBD, the airport to the Waitakeres — you have a complete panorama.
As a kid my parents used to take me up there and we would try and spot our house and play in the enormous volcanic crater. Today the crater is strictly off limits due to corrosion, however trying to identify my house and other favourite places is still a fun time.
Take a picnic up Mt Eden, or grab some fresh fish and chips from Eden Village and enjoy the spectacular view of New Zealand’s biggest city. Just make sure you take a jacket — even in Summer the wind can be pretty wild up the mountain.
Tip: LOCK YOUR CAR. Although Kiwis are generally pretty trusty, people do frequently lose their valuables and passports up Mt Eden.