I walked most of the park in a loop, there is so much to see

It is the oldest park in the city, and one of the largest and home to Auckland’s botanic gardens.

Located in Grafton, the park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano.

I walked through a variety of landscapes from open fields, to formal gardens and statues, to native bush walkways and waterfalls (you could almost imagine that you are in the Waitakere Ranges).

Auckland City Domain is home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Domain Wintergardens.

The Wintergarden comprise 2 large glasshouses in an enclosed courtyard with a fish pond, fountains, and marble statues. It’s free to walk around and enjoy the exotic tropical plants.

Concerts are also held in the domain. The museum is well worth a visit. Skip the queue and buy your entry ticket here:

Full day Auckland City Tour includes the Auckland Domain

This awesome tour, shows you the highlights of Auckland including a visit to the Auckland Domain, and exquisite Wintergardens (20 min stopover).

From the diverse eateries to the many volcanoes, to a working farm, and beautiful gardens that we have. You’ll be guided to Auckland’s best shopping, cuisine, and sights. Along the way, you will learn about the Maori culture and settler history and take a walk on Piha Beach.

Book here now:

Quick Facts about this walk

Walk time: 2 hours
Distance: 4 km
Track Quality: Excellent, walking on grass and concrete paths
Difficulty: Mostly level or gently sloping ground, with good pathways to follow most of the way
Buggies/Wheelchairs: Not suitable
Dog Friendly: Yes – on leash only. Dog off leash exercise area: Gum Tree Hill
Facilities: Toilets, Picnic tables, Parking
Start & Finish: North Entrance - Auckland War Memorial Museum
Main Gate of Auckland Domain
Auckland City Domain Main Gate

Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Auckland War Memorial Museum, and Auckland’s botanic gardens: Wintegardens. Stunning views from the steps of the museum.

Track Quality

Very easy walking around the Auckland Domain mostly on grass.

Hazards

There are no hazards in the Auckland Domain.

Transport

It’s is only a 900 m walk from K’ Road at the top of Queen Street to the main gate next to Auckland Hospital.

  • Train Stations: Parnell Station is now open, but services are limited. Use Newmarket Station on Remuera Road or Grafton Station on Park Road.

  • Bus: The Link buses and other routes travel along Parnell Road. Get off at The Jubilee Building / Parnell Community Centre stop and walk to the Domain through the grounds or via Maunsell Road.

Driving Instructions

There's plenty of paid parking in the Museum car park and in on-street parks around the Domain.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

There is the Wintergarden Cafe set above the duck pond in the Auckland Domain. Open for breakfast & lunch and coffee.

Area & Trail History

The Auckland Domain is the city’s oldest park and is spacious and diverse. The 75-hectare park has been developed around the cone of an extinct volcano. Paths wind through native bush at its perimeter. Closer in, duck ponds mark the up-welling of the Domain’s natural springs, and century-old trees shade numerous picnic spots. In the summer heat, manicured playing fields sustain the city’s oldest cricket traditions, Auckland War Memorial Museum is New Zealand’s first museum.

Map location and track details

Points of interest along the walk​

Main front gate into the Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Domain
Hot House
Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Museum
looking out to Rangitoto island
Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Domain

Start: Auckland City Domain

If you are in Queen Street, it is quicker to walk to the top of Queen Street to K’ Road. Then walk across Grafton bridge past the Auckland Hospital to the main Auckland Domain gate. A total of 900m.

From the main gate, you will get a good view of the Domain. The best views are from the museum.

You’ll need to walk through the park directly to the start point at the North Entrance.

Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Domain
Auckland City Domain

Hungry?

We dropped into the Wintergarden Pavilion Cafe for coffee and we plan to go back to try the food. It was lovely sitting in the sun overlooking the duck pond.

After a quick look at the Wintergardens, we headed for the Tuitui Museum Bistro & Cafe inside the Museum. However, it’s more like a proper restaurant than a cafe so we left.

It was an enjoyable amble on a beautiful day.

Auckland Domain Sculpture Walk: Map available here

Listen to the podcast of the walk

Developed by walk leaders Jill McCarthy and Shelagh Coop. The podcast is 38 minutes long. Follow the directions and pause the recording as you walk between points of interest.

Listen to walk podcast

See more of my 150+ walks in Auckland