One Tree Hill, Auckland (must see)

One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is a volcanic peak towering at 182 meters (597 feet) and holds the status of a Tūpuna Maunga, an ancestral mountain, in Auckland. This landmark holds significant cultural and archaeological importance for both the Māori and Pākehā communities. The surrounding residential area shares the same name, One Tree Hill, and is bordered by Royal Oak to the west, while moving clockwise, it is flanked by Epsom, Greenlane, Oranga, and Onehunga.

From its summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Auckland area, offering a glimpse of both of Auckland's harbors. The hill's scoria cones were formed by eruptions from three craters, with one remaining intact and two having their sides breached by lava flows. These lava flows spread in various directions, particularly towards Onehunga, covering a vast expanse of 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles). This volcanic formation ranks as the second-largest, in terms of covered area, among the Auckland volcanic field, surpassed only by Rangitoto Island. The volcanic activity at this site occurred around 67,000 years ago.

Due to its profound spiritual and cultural significance to the Māori people and to ensure pedestrian safety, the summit road was permanently closed to most vehicles in March 2019.

The region encompasses two parks: One Tree Hill Domain and Cornwall Park, which are contiguous and are often perceived as one large park. One Tree Hill Domain is open to the public and was previously managed by the Auckland City Council. On the other hand, Cornwall Park, also accessible to the public, is under the administration of the Cornwall Park Trust Board.

Why You Should Visit:
It will only take about 30 mins to get to the top of this old, dormant volcano – a free attraction, picture perfect, and an excellent introduction to Auckland.
Getting to the base of the hill by strolling through Cornwall Park and its array of majestic trees is an astounding bonus that will bring you closer to nature!

Tip:
Bring some food and enjoy a picnic at sunset or sunrise, but make sure you have an extra layer on a cold day as the wind is pretty strong up there.