When I first climbed Maungawhau — Mount Eden to most — what struck me wasn’t the 360-degree views, though they’re spectacular. It was the crater itself, that perfectly symmetrical bowl 50 metres deep, cordoned off and forbidden. Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho, the Food Bowl of Mataaho, is sacred and tapu. You cannot enter it, touch it, or fly drones over it. This isn’t a gentle request — it’s enforced. At 196 metres, this is Auckland’s highest volcanic cone, and the boardwalk system installed in 2020 means you can explore the pā terraces and storage pits without damaging what remains of a settlement built around 1200 AD.
I visited as part of the 16km Coast to Coast Walk – one of the most memorable things to do in Auckland.
Quick overview
Mount Eden is completely free to visit. There are no admission fees, no tickets, and no entry restrictions. The main gates open at 7:00am and close at 7:00pm (winter) or 8:30pm (summer), though pedestrian access is possible 24 hours. Free parking is available in four car parks around the base, with time limits enforced. The summit walk takes 15-20 minutes from any car park. Private vehicles are permanently banned from the summit road to protect the sacred site — only limited mobility visitors can request vehicle access by calling 09 301 0101.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Gates: 7:00am – 7:00pm (winter) / 8:30pm (summer) | 250 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland | Everyone | Gates lock at closing |
How much does Mount Eden cost?
Entry to Mount Eden is entirely free. There are no admission charges, no parking fees, and no hidden costs. The Te Ipu Kōrero education centre at mid-mountain, the boardwalk system, the viewing platforms, and all facilities are free to use.
The only expense is the Friend & Whau café in the kiosk building, which sells coffee, snacks, and light meals. Otherwise, Mount Eden costs nothing.
Is Mount Eden free to enter?
Yes, completely free. Mount Eden is managed by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, which oversees Auckland’s 14 ancestral volcanic cones. All are free and open to the public, though with rules protecting their cultural and spiritual significance.
No donations requested, no suggested contributions, no commercialisation. The site belongs to mana whenua (Māori tribes with ancestral connections) and is held in trust for all New Zealanders.
Why book the full-day Grand Auckland volcanoes tour?
- Explore volcanic landscapes: Discover Auckland’s unique volcanic cones and craters, including Mt Eden, One Tree Hill and Rangitoto Island.
- Rangitoto Island cruise included: Travel by ferry to Rangitoto, Auckland’s youngest volcanic island, and enjoy the dramatic scenery and walking trails.
- Expert local guide: Learn about the geological formation and history of Auckland’s volcanic field from knowledgeable guides.
- Scenic views and photo stops: Enjoy panoramic views over the city and Hauraki Gulf at key lookout points throughout the day.
- Easy full-day itinerary: A comprehensive one-day tour with transport, commentary and island exploration included — ideal for first-time visitors.
What time does Mount Eden open?
The main vehicle entrance gates open at 7:00am daily. Closing time varies by season: 7:00pm during winter, 8:30pm during summer (aligned with daylight saving). Gates are locked after closing.
Pedestrian access is technically possible 24/7 — you can walk up from surrounding streets even when gates are closed. However, the summit is unlit and isolated after dark. Stick to daylight hours for safety.
The Te Ipu Kōrero education centre and Friend & Whau café operate during the day, typically 8:00am-4:00pm, but check ahead as hours vary.
Five great things to do while you’re in Auckland
- Spot whales and dolphins on a half day Hauraki Gulf Marine Park cruise.
- Indulge in Waiheke Island’s finest produce on a food and wine tour.
- See the city from above at the top of the Auckland Sky Tower.
- Enjoy a sunset cruise on Auckland Harbour – with a three course dinner.
- Explore Auckland’s wild side – visiting the city’s black sand beaches and rainforest.
A brief history
Maungawhau means “hill of the whau tree”, named for the shrubs that once grew on its slopes. The volcano erupted around 28,000 years ago, creating two overlapping scoria cones. The southern cone — the one you climb today — is the younger and taller, with an impressive crater 180 metres in diameter and 50 metres deep.
Around 1200 AD, Māori established an enormous pā here. At its peak, thousands lived on Maungawhau, making it one of the largest fortified settlements in pre-European Auckland. The outer slopes were terraced into hundreds of flat platforms for housing and work areas. Storage pits (rua) were dug into terraces and around the crater rim to store kūmara (sweet potato) and other crops. These pits were roofed with thatch and used like underground cellars.
The pā’s defensive layout is unusual — there’s no evidence of ditches or defensive banks despite Maungawhau being highly fortified. Instead, a series of strongpoints occupied the highest ridges. The crater itself was considered tapu, the domain of Mataaho, the deity of volcanic forces and hidden things beneath the earth.
European colonisation transformed the mountain. Quarrying between the 1850s and 1920s damaged portions of the pā, removing scoria for road construction. A reservoir was built at the summit in 1892, destroying archaeological features. Roads and car parks further eroded the site.
Until 2016, vehicles could drive to the summit, causing severe rutting and damage to the remaining pā structures. The Tūpuna Maunga Authority closed the summit road permanently to private vehicles in January 2016 — a controversial but necessary decision to protect the site’s cultural and archaeological integrity. Mount Eden became the first maunga in New Zealand returned to pedestrian-only status.
The award-winning boardwalk system opened in stages between 2020 and 2023, protecting sensitive archaeological features while allowing visitors to experience the pā layout without causing further damage.
What you’ll see at Mount Eden
The Crater — From the viewing platforms, you look down into Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho, a perfectly formed bowl 50 metres deep. The crater floor is tapu and strictly off-limits. Do not enter under any circumstances — this rule is culturally significant and legally enforced.
360-Degree Views — From the summit, you see both harbours (Waitematā to the north, Manukau to the southwest), Rangitoto Island, the Sky Tower, and the network of other volcanic cones dotting Auckland. Sunrise and sunset provide spectacular light.
Pā Terraces and Storage Pits — The boardwalk winds through visible remnants of the ancient pā. You’ll see flat terraces where houses once stood and circular depressions marking storage pits. Information panels explain what you’re viewing, though signage is limited compared to similar sites overseas.
Te Ipu Kōrero Education Centre — Located at the mid-mountain kiosk, this small centre features a 10-minute video about Auckland’s volcanic field and an interactive augmented reality model of the maunga. Entry is free. The Friend & Whau café here offers coffee, brunch dishes, and views across the isthmus.
Boardwalk — The elevated walkway protects the ground beneath while allowing access to historically significant areas. Materials are fully recyclable and designed to weather naturally. The boardwalk includes viewing platforms, seating areas, and a large ātea (gathering space) near the summit.
Native Plantings — Ongoing restoration includes specialised native species that attract butterflies and skinks. Look for plantings around the ponga (tree fern) wall and rock garden features.
What’s included with your visit?
- Free entry to all areas except the crater
- Access to boardwalk system and viewing platforms
- 360-degree summit views
- Te Ipu Kōrero education centre and video
- Information panels about pā history and geology
- Public toilets (two locations: near Puhi Huia Road roundabout and Normanby Road playground)
- Free parking in four car parks
- Dog walking in designated areas (on-leash required, off-leash areas in fenced zones)
Not included: Food and drinks (café available), guided tours (arrange privately), audio guides (none available).
Things to do near Mount Eden
Auckland Domain (2.8km, 7-minute drive) — Auckland’s oldest park, covering 80 hectares with formal gardens, duck ponds, bush walks, and the Wintergardens (Victorian glasshouses). Auckland Museum is on the Domain’s edge.
Auckland Museum (3km, 8-minute drive) — Neoclassical museum with Māori and Pacific artefacts, natural history, and war history exhibitions.
Parnell (3.5km, 9-minute drive) — Historic neighbourhood with Victorian villas, boutique shopping, and the Parnell Rose Gardens (5,000 rose bushes, free entry). Judges Bay beach nearby.
Cornwall Park / One Tree Hill (4km, 10-minute drive) — Another volcanic cone with 425-acre park, working farm (600 sheep, 60 cattle), and Stardome Observatory.
Sky Tower (3km, 8-minute drive or 25-minute walk) — Southern Hemisphere’s tallest structure at 328 metres. Observation decks offer panoramic city views.
Further afield in Auckland, you can drive through the Waitakere Ranges to the gorgeous black sand beaches – Piha Beach and Karekare Beach. My first time visitor’s guide to Auckland also explains how to sail an Americas Cup yacht on Waitemata Harbour.
Practical tips
- Location: 250 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
- Getting there: Bus 27 from Britomart to stop 1870 near Tahaki Reserve (400m walk). Four car parks available: Puhi Huia Road (two locations), Tahaki Reserve, Normanby Road playground. Time limits enforced.
- Time needed: 45-60 minutes including summit walk and viewing. Add 30 minutes for Te Ipu Kōrero centre.
- Photography: Permitted throughout except no drones over the crater — strictly prohibited.
- Dress code: None. Comfortable walking shoes essential. Weather changes quickly — bring layers.
- Accessibility: Limited mobility visitors can request vehicle access to summit by calling 09 301 0101. Otherwise, 15-minute uphill walk required.
- Crowds: Early mornings (7:00am-9:00am) quietest. Weekday mornings less busy than weekends. Sunset draws photographers.
- Dogs: On-leash required except in two fenced off-leash areas (Clive Road paddock, Tahaki Reserve). No dogs in playground area.
FAQs
Why can’t I enter the crater? Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho is tapu (sacred). Entering violates the spiritual and cultural significance of the site. It’s also dangerous — the slopes are steep and unstable.
Can I really visit 24 hours? Gates lock at 7:00pm (winter) or 8:30pm (summer), but pedestrian access from surrounding streets remains possible. The summit is unlit and isolated after dark — not recommended.
Why was vehicle access banned? Decades of cars driving to the summit caused severe erosion, damaged pā archaeological features, and compromised the site’s integrity. The 2016 ban protects what remains.
How does it compare to One Tree Hill? Mount Eden is 14 metres taller with a more dramatic crater. One Tree Hill has more extensive parkland (Cornwall Park) surrounding it. Both are free and worth visiting.
Are there toilets at the summit? No. Public toilets are near the Puhi Huia Road roundabout (beside tour bus parking) and at Normanby Road playground.
What does Maungawhau mean? “Hill of the whau tree”, named for native shrubs that once grew here.
More North Island travel
Other New Zealand North Island travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A three week New Zealand travel itinerary.
- Why Napier is New Zealand’s art deco secret.
- Pedal-powered monorail: Riding the Shweeb in Rotorua.
- Kayaking to the Mine Bay Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo.
- Tackling the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – New Zealand’s best day walk.
