Mt. Eden

The Basics

Mt. Eden is 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from central Auckland. At 643 feet (196 meters), it’s the city’s highest natural lookout point—a good place for city views and to get a feel for the area’s broad geography. The spacious Eden Garden, at the foot of the mound, is home to many native bird and plant species.

Visible from much of Auckland, Mt. Eden is hard to miss. Many guided tours stop at the mount for the views, or at some of the museums, galleries, parks, and other attractions around the neighborhood.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The broader Mt. Eden suburb is home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Domain park, both of which are highly worth visiting.

• Mt. Eden Road is full of vintage stores, book shops, cafés and bars.

• Sports fans should check out Eden Park, a stadium that hosts some of New Zealand’s biggest rugby and cricket matches.

How to Get There

Mt. Eden can be reached from central Auckland by local bus (LINK service) or train (on the Western line). It’s also easy to reach by car as it’s very close to central Auckland. Walking paths lead up Mt. Eden from six directions, so whichever way you come from you are likely to find a trail. Note that tour buses can only drive halfway to the top of the mount, from which it’s a 10-minute walk to the summit.

When to Get There

Anytime is a good time to visit Mt. Eden. During wet weather, retreat to a shop or gallery, and when it’s fine out, hike up the hill or relax in a park. Spend an evening exploring the neighborhood’s trendy bars and restaurants. The entrance to the road to the summit is open 7am to 8:30pm in summer and 7am to 7pm in winter.

Hike the Coast-to-Coast Walkway

For more than just a short hike to the summit, Mt. Eden also connects to a 9.5-mile (15-kilometer) coastal walkway that runs from the Tasman coast at Manukau to Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific side. Although it leads through the big city of Auckland, the walk includes many parks, small forests, and wildlife habitats.