In order to walk the entirety of the rim, it is best to start at the end of Exmouth Road, at Heath Reserve car park. Before embarking upon the walk itself, you can take a detour to the motorway overbridge for views of Auckland CBD’s skyline and the Waitemata Harbour on one side, and the water-filled Tuff Crater on the other.
Head back over the bridge and follow the path along the crater. The track is undulating, though they are more ups and downs than hills.
It may seem that the track eventually disappears or comes to an end. However, you must walk through the field (which is often wet) to continue the walk. The track can also be overgrown at times. It is thus important to wear appropriate footwear for this walk.
You will reach the end of the track on the other side of the crater. This walk can be done one way by climbing the bank onto Akoranga Drive. It is technically a return path back along the rim to Exmouth Park. There is no way to walk beside the motorway, don’t even think about it.
Tuff Crater is another explosion crater (this one is filled with water), which is being restored to its natural state with a balanced ecosystem of native plants and wildlife, all with volunteer help. It was formed by explosive eruptions around the same time as Onepoto.
You can get more information on the restoration of Tuff Crater on the Forest and Bird website.
FREE Auckland Walks eBook
Subscribe for walking and hiking tips.
Walking Day Pack made in New Zealand
2 Responses
” popular though not recommended option is to complete the walk as a loop by walking along the motorway.”
Might want to rephrase that or else an idiotic an un thought about statement like this could get someone killed.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for pointing that out. Yes, better change that you are so right.