Auckland Domain Heritage Walk
The Auckland Domain is New Zealand's oldest park. This 4 km walk introduces you to the history, architecture, art and space of Auckland's premier park.
Auckland Domain is located on one of Auckland's first volcanoes and its vantage point overlooking the harbour has made it a focal point for both Maori and European settlers. This glorious park is richly endowed with sculptures and heritage buildings.
Walk Details
Time: Allow 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: This walk is mostly over level or gently sloping ground, with good pathways to follow most of the way.
Parking: There's plenty of paid parking in the Museum car park and in on-street parks around the Domain and environs.
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.
Walk Highlights
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Historic statues and modern sculptures
Charles Kerr Memorial Grandstand
Remains of the home of Te Wherowhero, the first Maori King
Wintergardens
Fairy Pond - Auckland's first spring water supply
Playing fields
Formal gardens
Walk route
The Auckland Domain walk is a 4km looping walk that covers much of this park, beginning and finishing at the north entrance of Auckland War Memorial Museum. The map shows the walk route and the highlights visited along the way.
Download and print a map of the walk to take with you.
Use Google Maps on your walk
Follow the map route on your mobile phone using this map link http://goo.gl/maps/n0fJn.
Find out more
Once you've done this walk, you'll probably want to find out more about the interesting places and people you've heard of along the way. Here are some links to help you continue your exploration of the Auckland Domain.
Podcast
Download a 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.
Our Walk Leaders
Shelagh Coop is a passionate Parnell resident and an active participant in numerous local activities.
Jill Lander has lived in Parnell for many years and has a keen interest in its history and heritage. Trained as a librarian and researcher, Jill has unearthed many interesting facts and stories in preparing her notes for this walk through New Zealand's oldest park.
While The Village Square Trust and our volunteer walk leaders have taken due care with the content of these walks, the podcasts are not intended as a substitute to an academic record of local history. This walk is brought to you by The Village Square Trust, with generous support from ASB Community Trust.
