Mount Eden Volcano: Auckland City's Highest Peak
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| Aerial view of Mount Eden (Source: GNS Science) |
Quick Volcanic Facts
Official Name: Mount Eden
Maori (indigenous) Name: Maungawhau
Location: 250 Mt Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Type: Cinder cone (or scoria cone)
Classification: Extinct volcano
Elevation: 196 metres
Prominent Geological Feature: 50 metre-deep crater
Last known eruption: Some 15,000 years ago
Historical Significance: Used as a Maori 'Pa' or early settlement; previous archaeological site
Current use: Recreational domain for the local community; tourist attraction
Conservation Status: Protected by the New Zealand Historical Places Act 1980
Information Sources: Smith, Lowe & Wright (2013); Auckland Council (2014)
Climbing up Mount Eden
My experience started on sunny winter afternoon of a Saturday. I and my friend have originally planned to have a stroll going atop the volcano's summit. However, we lacked the physical motivation to do this, instead, we drove a car going to the top (Yes, you can drive up to the volcano's peak).
Mount Eden is very close to downtown Auckland. There are different ways on getting to the summit:
1. By bus - take any public bus that goes or passes by Mt Eden Road. From there, walking tracks are available and you may go by foot.
2. By private vehicle - Auckland Council suggests this route: "From Downtown Auckland, go up Queen Street, turn left onto Karangahape Road and right onto Symonds Street, then left onto Mt Eden Road". I also agree on using Google Maps Search, or using a GPS. Car parks are available at the foot of the volcano. From there, you may tramp, or if you are lazy like us, continuously drive up to the crater-viewing deck where car parks are also available (Yes, car parks on top of a volcano. Cool aye?).
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| Parking spaces at the top of the volcano |
3. By public tour - volcano tours are available from the Auckland City hop-on hop-off city tour for NZ$ 40 day-pass. Remember to follow the blue-line route http://www.explorerbus.co.nz/.
Exploring the Crater
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| Mount Eden's 50m-deep crater against the backdrop of Auckland City skyline (top left part) |
The most eye-catching feature of this short trip (aside from the views on top) is the crater. It's depth and width gave me feelings of amusement and wonder, and is indeed the highlight of this trip. My imagination was again stimulated by what I saw, like in my previous experiences. I wonder how the crater looked like when it was erupting some 15,000 years ago and how devastating would it be if it erupts today. Although, of course, that would not happen anymore for this one is dead already.
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| My photo taken at the volcanic rim |
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| Visitors spotted trying to go down to the crater despite of "Do not enter" policy |
Yet again, if some people have the drive to do it, they will find a way to do it.
Views from the Summit
Scattered all over the region, Auckland volcanoes promise different views and landscapes. Mount Eden did not fail on this. Stunning views of the city and its suburbs can be seen from the summit. Elevated 196m above sea level, a high-definition 360 degree view without obstructions will definitely fascinate anyone. I reckon that the volcano's summit served as the primary observatory to view the city prior to the Sky Tower regime. By the way, Sky Tower's Main Observation Deck is186m high only. Below are some of my shots.
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| Auckland suburbs (Newmarket & Remeura). Green elevations or hills are volcanoes as well which are yet to be revealed on this blog, so keep on following... |
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| View of the Hobson Bay against Rangitoto Island or the "Big Daddy" amongst Auckland volcanoes |
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| Western Auckland Suburbs |
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| Northern tip of the volcanic rim. Auckland CBD on the rightmost side. |
Panoramic Shots
Mount Eden is a perfect example of a volcano that have continuously played a role to communities over time. This volcano served as a Maori Pa or settlement for hundreds of people until the 1700's. This is evident from the terraced slopes of the volcanic cone to establish a housing facilities and food storage for the community during that time (The Friends of Maungawhau Inc., 2000). During this era, this volcano served as the centre of life and culture that is why today, its crater is considered sacred.
To the local community, this is a place that may remind them of their heritage. This is also a venue to recreate, relax or to simply commune with nature. This volcano also reflects how the local people value the importance of preserving both natural and built heritage in a way that benefits them the most.
Finally, in the volcano tourism perspective, this attraction provides an extraordinary volcanic experience in an urban setting. It may not be as exciting as other volcanic attractions (i.e. with an ongoing eruption), but its exoticism and charm will surely delight any visitor.
References
Auckland Council (2014). Mt Eden. Retrieved June 28, 2014 from http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/parksfacilities/premierparks/Pages/mteden.aspx
GNS Science (n.d.) Mount Eden [Photograph] from Te Ara: The encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved June 28, 2014 from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8706/mt-eden
Smith, R., Lowe, D. J., & Wright, I. (2013) Volcanoes - Cone volcanoes and volcanic fields' from Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved June 28, 2014 from http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8706/mt-eden
The Friends of Mangawahu (2000). Archaeology of Maungawhau. Retrieved July 1, 2014 from http://www.maungawhau.co.nz/resources/archaeology.html
Disclaimer. The Volcano Tourist (blogger), to the best of his capabilities, obliges himself to properly cite any secondary information presented from blog articles. Photographs are owned by the blogger (unless, otherwise specified) and should not be used without his permission.
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