Attraction
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Neoclassical museum and war memorial on Observatory Hill in the Auckland Domain, home to major Māori and Pacific collections, natural history galleries and the Halls of…
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park
A 182-metre volcanic cone that was once the largest pā on the isthmus, surrounded by Cornwall Park's farmland, gardens, cafés and the historic Acacia Cottage.
At a glance
- Type
- Volcanic cone and parkland
- Area
- Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
- Opening
- Open daily · 07:00–20:00
- Official site
- cornwallpark.co.nz
Good to know
- Free entry
- Working farm
- Free barbecues
- Playground
- Cafés
- Visitor centre
Why we recommend it
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and the neighbouring Cornwall Park together form around 540 acres of green space in the southern suburbs, and are often treated by visitors as one place. The volcanic cone rises to 182 metres and erupted about 67,000 years ago, its lava flows covering a larger area than any other volcano in the Auckland field except Rangitoto.
Before European settlement Maungakiekie was the largest pā on the Auckland isthmus. Under the Waiohua paramount chief Kiwi Tāmaki it may have housed up to 5,000 people, and the terraces cut into its slopes are still clearly visible. The name means mountain of the kiekie vine. The summit's famous lone tree has a turbulent history: a tōtara was felled in 1852, the pine later planted by Sir John Logan Campbell was attacked in 1994 and 2000 and removed, and in 2016 the Tūpuna Maunga Authority planted nine young tōtara and pōhutukawa.
Campbell gave Cornwall Park to a trust for public use and is buried at the summit beneath an obelisk designed by Richard Abbott, completed in 1940 and unveiled in 1948 as a memorial to Māori. A bronze Māori warrior stands in front of it.
Cornwall Park itself is a working farm, so you may see sheep and cattle in the paddocks; visitors are asked not to approach the animals, especially during lambing and calving. The park has three eateries, the Cornwall Park Bistro, Cornwall Park Café and The Creamery, along with three free barbecue areas, a playground and toilets. Huia Lodge Discovery Hub on Michael Horton Drive has displays and a gift shop, and across the road stands Acacia Cottage, built in 1841. Stardome Observatory, with its planetarium, is also within the domain.
The park gates open from 7am to 8pm, with the main vehicle entrance on Green Lane West and another from Manukau Road. The summit road has been closed to most vehicles since 2019, so most people walk up from the park. Dogs must be on a lead throughout.
Allow two to three hours for a walk to the summit and a picnic or lunch at one of the cafés. The eastern side of the park has the easiest paths. It is a favourite with families and walkers, and makes a good pairing with Maungawhau / Mount Eden to the north.
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park FAQs
Is Cornwall Park free?
Yes. Entry to Cornwall Park and Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill is free, and the barbecues are free on a first come, first served basis.
What are the gate hours?
The park gates are open from 7am to 8pm and locked outside those hours.
Can you drive to the summit of One Tree Hill?
The summit road has been closed to most vehicles since 2019, so plan to walk up from the park.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Yes. Cornwall Park Bistro, Cornwall Park Café and The Creamery are inside the park.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a lead at all times. Some signposted areas are closed to dogs during lambing and calving.
Who is buried at the summit?
Sir John Logan Campbell, who gave Cornwall Park to a public trust, lies beneath the summit obelisk.
Is there a tree on One Tree Hill now?
In 2016 nine young tōtara and pōhutukawa were planted on the summit by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority.
What else is there to see?
Acacia Cottage of 1841, Huia Lodge Discovery Hub, the farm animals and Stardome Observatory.