Epsom - In the Zone Heritage Walk
Discover a hidden corner of Auckland nestled on the slopes of Mt Eden, above Newmarket. Iconic homesteads feature lovely gardens nurtured from harsh terrain. Auckland Grammar School exerts its influence on local real estate as Aucklanders vie to be in this historic "Grammar zone”.
Our Epsom - In the Zone Heritage Walk will take in iconic buildings such as Auckland Grammar and the Mater Hospital and lead you through the leafy streets to reveal gracious homes with extensive grounds, as well as glimpses of the area's volcanic past.
Walk Details
Time: Allow 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: This is a fairly easy walk, with a few gentle slopes. However, you'll have a steep climb if you decide to continue up Mt Eden at the end of the walk!
Suitable for prams and buggies
Parking: There is free car parking around the neighbourhood, although it can be difficult to find a park during school hours and in the weekends if there are events on at Auckland Grammar School or St Peters College.
Train Station: Grafton Station, corner Park Road and Khyber Pass.
Bus: Buses travel from Newmarket up Khyber Pass (bus stops at Mountain Road intersection) and along Mt Eden Road.
Walk Highlights
Auckland Grammar School
St Peters College
Stoneways
Rockwood Place
Mt Eden/ Maungawhau
Whare Tane
Mercy Ascot Hospital
Rannoch
Walk route
Epsom - In the Zone is a 2.1km walk. It starts at 24 Mountain Road, Epsom, at the corner of Seccombes Road and finishes at the corner of Mountain and Almorah Roads. The map below shows the walk route and the highlights visited along the way. Download and print a map of the walk to take with you.
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 - click here
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 Epsom Zone.
Podcast
Download a podcast of the walk developed by our walk leader, Elizabeth Priest. Follow the directions and pause the recording as you walk between points of interest. Elizabeth prepared this podcast on behalf of The Village Square Trust (formerly Parnell Trust).
Our Walk Leader
Elizabeth Priest went to school in The Zone - Epsom Girls Grammar School - and has lived within the area of this walk. Elizabeth graduated with a B.A. in English and History and an M.A. with Honours in History. She taught for a number of years and has also been involved in research and library work. Elizabeth's interests include gardening, travel, and of course, history. She has four grandchildren who are of endless interest.
Elizabeth created this walk about The Zone to raise awareness of the area's heritage treasures - many of which are hidden away behind now-luxurious gardens.
"Aucklanders are very aware of the value of securing a place for their sons within the Grammar Zone," Elizabeth says, "but few appreciate the heritage value of this part of the city. For visitors as well there are so many wonderful stories to be told of these places in The Zone, under Maungawhau Mt Eden."
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.
