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Exploring Cornwall Park, Auckland New Zealand

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Garden outside Acacia Cottage in Cornwall Park, Auckland New Zealand
Garden outside Acacia Cottage in

Auckland is a city built for recreation. There is no better evidence of this than it’s lush green parks. Cornwall Park Auckland is no exception. It’s the place for a picnic under the trees, an exploration of historic buildings, a hike to the summit of a volcano that was once a Maori Pa, and a planetarium.

Sir John Logan Campbell gifted Cornwall Park to the people of Auckland in 1901:

“I bid you welcome to Cornwall Park. May its green fields and pure air be to you a never-failing enjoyment . . . A recreation ground secured to you, your children and your children’s children for all time.”

The park is all that he envisioned and so much more. Centred around Maungakiekie, the volcanic cone of One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park Auckland attracts tourists and locals. Within its gates, we found thousands of trees, historic buildings, Stardome Observatory, picnic tables and BBQs, a children’s playground, tennis courts, sports fields, an olive grove, a sunken garden, a band rotunda, farm animals, and the obelisk located at the summit.

What’s in Cornwall Park?

Auckland’s oldest wooden building

Acacia Cottage was John Logan Campbell initial Auckland residence and is Auckland’s oldest surviving wooden building. This is not its original location, as it has been moved from Shortland Street.

Across the road from Acacia Cottage is Huia Lodge, another historic building worth exploring. A Discovery Hub (manned information booth) is inside Huia Lodge. Both are open to the public during the day.

Acacia Cottage is Auckland's oldest surviving building located in Cornwall Park Auckland New Zealand
Acacia Cottage (foreground) built 1841.

Beautiful gardens

A lush green park throughout, and there are also lovely gardens outside the Acacia Cottage.

Garden outside Acacia Cottage in Cornwall Park, Auckland New Zealand
The garden outside Acacia Cottage opens out into the park.

Cornwall Park farm animals

Despite being in the middle of a major city, Cornwall park is a working farm, and an opportunity for city dwellers to discover farm animals. There are about 60 cows and 600 sheep that graze in many paddocks at Cornwall Park. Visitors are welcome to enter them, and in many cases walk through the paddocks on a trail.

Cornwall Park is one of several Auckland parks with farm animals, as is Shakespear Park.

Cows in Cornwall Park, Auckland New Zealand
Cows in Cornwall Park Auckland.

Places to eat in Cornwall Park, Auckland

There are three eateries in Cornwall Park. Hours vary seasonally, and during the daytime, at least one of the three is usually open. Or, bring your own food and enjoy a BBQ or picnic under the trees. If none of these appeals, there are plenty of other unique restaurants in Auckland.

Cornwall Park Café: is my favourite place to eat in the park. Relaxed, friendly and comfortable, it draws weekend crowds. We often sit on the huge beanbags while we wait for a table or opt for a shared table. Best of all, they have gluten-free options.

Cornwall Park Bistro: An upscale eating option, the Bistro is a modern restaurant still in its original building, serving fresh New Zealand foods.

The Creamery – the place for a quick coffee, an ice cream cone or milkshake, fish and chips, a muffin, or a scone.

Barbecues: The park has BBQs available for use by visitors (first come-first served).

Cornwall Park Cafe is one of three places to eat in Cornwall Park, Auckland New Zealand
Cornwall Park Cafe.

Hiking and walking trails

So many places to walk, from the uphill trails to One Tree Hill, to winding your way through the over 8000 trees in the park. Paddocks have gates to enter or stiles to go over.

These gates are behind Huia Lodge and separate Cornwall Park from One Tree Hill. The road takes vehicles to the car park for the summit and to Stardome. Or, if you are feeling energetic, there is an unofficial hiking path just beyond the gate that leads to the top. (While geographically connected, the two parks are run by different entities in Auckland.)

The start of the “unofficial” footpath to the summit of One Tree Hill, just beyond the gates.

The parks are among the best places to walk in Auckland

These gates are behind Huia Lodge and separate "Cornwall Park" from "One Tree Hill." The road leads to the summit. Or, if you cross the gate on foot, there is a walking path just on the other side.
Gates that separate Cornwall Park from One Tree Hill.
Cornwall Park in Auckland New Zealand
The start of the “unofficial” footpath to the summit of One Tree Hill, just beyond the gates.
Walking path in Cornwall Park in Auckland New Zealand
There is a stile to cross the fence.

One Tree Hill historic monument and obelisk

Climb up Maungakiekie mountain (One Tree Hill) for massive city views and an interesting bit of New Zealand history. Once a Maori Pa, this landmark has a fascinating story to tell.

There are two ways up to the top, either a hiking trail or walking along the road. We generally walk the trail up and the road back down. The road is closed to vehicles, with limited exceptions.

The “One Tree” isn’t there anymore. Māori activists attacked the lone tree by chainsaw in 1994, and then again in 2000. To replace it, a grove of native trees has been planted near the top.

The obelisk at the summit was constructed in 1940 as part of the centennial celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, although not unveiled until 1948. Also at the summit is the gravesite of Sir John Logan Campbell.

Hiking to the summit of Cornwall Park in Auckland New Zealand
The final approach to the summit taking the hiking trail up.

Beautiful views from the top

Summit of Cornwall Park in Auckland New Zealand
Don’t just look out at the view, be sure to look down too. On one side people write words and messages with stones.
Obelisk at the summit of One Tree Hill in Auckland New Zealand
The obelisk at the summit of One Tree Hill.
View from the summit of One Tree Hill in Auckland New Zealand
A view from the summit.

Stardome Observatory

Also in the park is Stardome Observatory and Planetarium. They take out the telescopes after some evening planetarium shows.

Looking through the courtyard telescope at Stardome Observatory in Cornwall Park Auckland New Zealand
Telescopes at Stardome in Cornwall Park Auckland.

Also at Cornwall Park

  • Archery
  • Band Rotunda
  • Exercise Equipment
  • Memorial Steps
  • Native Arboretum
  • Olive Grove
  • Playground
  • Rongo Stone
  • Sunken Garden
  • Tai Chi classes

Practical information on visiting Cornwall Park Auckland

  • Cornwall Park is one of several Auckland Regional urban parks in the city.
  • Park entrances are on Manukau Road, Greenlane West, and Campbell Road. There is plenty of free car and bicycle parking on the grounds.
  • The park is open 7 am to dusk every day and is always free to enter.
  • Weddings are popular year-round, although most popular in the spring and summer. (Bookings are required and available at two locations in the park).
  • Check out the schedule of events in Cornwall Park.
  • There is a map of the park on the park’s website.

Read Next: More Things to do in Auckland New Zealand

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Acacia Cottage, built by Sir John Logan Campbell, is Auckland's oldest surviving wooden building in Cornwall Park
Cornwall Park in Auckland New Zealand. From here we hiked to the summit of the volcanic crater known as One Tree Hill

What will you do at Cornwall Park?

More from Auckland you might also like … starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Having visited New Zealand on many occasions (as an Ozzie, from across the ditch), this is the first time I’ve learnt of Cornwall Park. Looks like I’ll need to make another trip, next time back over that way.

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  5. Lovely places, Rhonda and good job climbing that fence even with a leg up. I don’t think I’d make the hills with bad knees anymore but I’d be happy hanging out in the park. That is some tombstone!

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  6. What a fun, fun park. The messages in stones I my absolute favorite idea. I am so glad you share your trips and life over at my Life Thru the Lens community.

    Lisa @ LTTL

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  7. Lovely shots, Rhonda!
    Thanks for joining us at the Travel Tuesday meme, I look forward to your next contribution.

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  9. I think it is so cool that people leave messages in stones! The park is beautiful, and I love all the detail and photos you give. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. What a great park! The trail looks like a nice hike, and that view from the summit is just…wow! I also love that people leave messages in the stones below – how fun!

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  12. I always enjoy exploring city parks when we travel, and Cornwall looks like an excellent one. You can see so far from the top of the summit! Too bad the One Tree was hacked down. Nice picture of the stile over the fence. For some reason, I’ve only ever pictured stiles with stone walls, but I suppose it helps you get over any fence (and much easier than attempting to squeeze through the wires).

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  14. What a fantastic trail you walked and what an interesting place you introduced us to. I am thinking a trip to that part of the world will be in order in the not-too-distant future.

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  16. I’ve read a lot about the city part of Auckland, but hadn’t heard anything about it’s parks and green spaces. Cornwall Park has amazing views and scenery, I can see why you enjoyed your time here! I’m glad you brought it to my attention. 🙂

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  17. The park looks fantastic. For what you have described, it sound like a mini cultural institution with all that is there to see and do. The view from the hills are gorgeous.

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  22. Gorgeous views! I really like your aerial shot of the cows grazing. It’s a lovely image, I wish we could visit someday.

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  24. You certainly do come across a few cows on your hikes – luckily they are friendly! I like the stone messages, did you leave one too?

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    • Yes, the cows are all friendly, well nearly all, there was that one crazy cow. As for the stones, hubby wrote my name in Hawaii, but not here.

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  25. This looks like a great place to take the family. I’ll have to put Cornwall Park on our list if we ever make it to Auckland New Zealand. So many places to visit, so little time!

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  27. Rhonda, you take such great pics and provide the stories behind them so perfectly. Thank you for sharing. I may never travel there but getting these glimpses are a great way for me to get to know somewhere. Denyse

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  29. Our son took us up to the obelisk on One Tree Hill but we never got to see Cornwall Park. What a shame, it looks like the sort of place I would enjoy.

    Diana

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  34. Rural stateliness. Love the idea of spelling words with rocks for those above to see. I almost think I saw the Washington monument.

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    • LOL – The Washington Monument is much bigger as people can go inside and go up to the top. This is just a decorative obelisk.

      Reply

  37. What stunning views! I didn’t get there when I was in Auckland, think I was only there for three days though. I remember going up an observation tower, must be the one on the cover of your book. It would be fun to go back, especially as my childhood best friend is a permanent Kiwi now!

    Reply

    • The Skytower is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, and a good choice if you have limited time. Personally, I prefer to hike one of the volcanic cones for a free view that includes the Skytower. 🙂

      Reply

  38. What a great article Rhonda, Cornwall Park is now on our list of places to visit when we visit Aukland from UK in October 2017
    Can’t wait!!

    Reply

  41. Hi Rhonda – can quite see why you’re enamoured with the Park … also Sir John Logan Campbell is an interesting character. Looks to be a wonderful place to hike and enjoy the environment around … wonderful photos … cheers Hilary

    Reply

  44. It’s gorgeous! I especially like the garden and the gates. Too bad Maori attacked the “one tree” to make a point, but there are plenty of other ones there. I bet the cows are secretly wondering why you’re always hiking past when they’re eating… O.o

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    • There are a few other lovely gates in the park too, and, as you pointed out, plenty of trees. Plus they recently replanted a small grove of trees up on One Tree Hill, so it will be changing and growing.

      Reply

    • You will like it here. If I remember correctly, you are from San Francisco. We found the transition between the two cities to be pretty smooth when we moved here 13 years ago.

      Reply

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