Western Springs and Meola Reef - once an historic lava flow
The walk begins beside Western Springs Park, Point Chevalier, Auckland. We follow the path around the lake (look out for baby water birds from September to December) and then cross Motions Road to follow the path along the stream.
We head past MOTAT to come out on Meola Road. From there we enter Meola Reef Reserve (a popular off-leash dog area). We do the loop and return via Jaggers Bush Reserve and back through Western Springs Park.
Western Springs Park is a sanctuary for both people and wildlife. It surrounds a natural spring-fed lake, one of Auckland’s early water supplies.
Meola Reef is a lava flow that came from the Mt St John, Mt Eden, One Tree Hill and Three Kings volcanoes and was formed 15,000 years ago when the 300 meter deep crater filled with lava and overflowed in a 10 kilometer “river” through Western Springs to terminate as the Meola Reef in the Waitemata Harbour. It is the longest lava flow in the Auckland volcanic field.
The area around the reef is a 15-hectare reserve with stands of mangrove and salt marsh. Underground and above ground streams from Mt Albert, Mt Eden and One Tree Hill feed into the Harbour at Meola Reef. Nearby Attractions:
MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology)
Auckland Zoo Description:
Mainly level paths plus steps. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
To see: Waitemata Harbour views, a natural spring-fed lake with ducks, swans, geese and long-finned eels; stream, trams, planes. Time: approximately. 90 minutes. (about 7kms). This walk can be short-
ened as required.
Parking: Great North Road (Western Springs Gardens) opposite Western Springs. Buses: Great North Rd. opposite Motions Rd
Cafés: None close by. Walk/drive/bus up Great North Road to Point Chevalier village, or drive/bus to Kingsland or Kings Plant Barn (St Lukes Road) or Garnet Station café in Garnet Road.
Public toilets: Western Springs beside the children’s playground, Meola Reef.
Children’s playgrounds: Western Springs – near entrance to Zoo carpark.
Dogs: Off-leash areas available at Meola Reef and Jaggers Bush.
Picnic Sites: Western Springs - BBQ’s & tables near children’s playground. Directions:
Start from the carpark in Great North Road.
1. Cross Great North Road to Western Springs Park.
2. Follow the path to the right > towards Stadium/MOTAT, lakeside walk. 3. Turn right > at the lake edge. 4. Next junction turn left < and follow the lake edge all the way around until you reach the childrens playground.
5. Straight ahead at the children’s playground.
6. Exit at the Zoo’s carpark and follow the exit road down to Motions Road.
7. Cross Motions Road to the other side (use the pedestrian island).
8. Turn left < then right > down the steps across the stream (Pasadena Walk).
9. Keep to the right-hand footpath and continue straight ahead, go past Pasadena Intermediate School.
10. Follow the path around the edge of school field (following stream).
11. At the end of the path cross the bridge and head back to Motions Road.
12. Turn left < and follow Motions Road past TAPAC.
13. On the corner at Western Springs College, continue straight ahead towards MOTAT.
14. Cross Meola Road to a carpark and a Meola Reef Reserve sign.
15. Turn left < and follow the footpath alongside Meola Road.
16. Take the path on your right > (which is on the left < of the car park - it’s not obvious) that goes into trees (not towards the Meola Reef Reserve sign). 17. Turn left < at the T-junction. 18. Straight ahead past the toilet block.
19. Go through the gate into dog offleash area.
20. Straight ahead follow the fence line.
21. At the end of the path, keep going straight ahead to the gate in the far corner of the fence.
22. Head left < towards the end of the Point (and a rubbish bin).
23. Optional loop at the tip of the Meola Reef Point (with view of Auckland Harbour Bridge).
24. Turn right > and follow the path beside the rubbish bin, keep going straight.
25. Turn left < at second turning (back to entrance).
26. Cross Meola Road, turn left <. (You may wish to catch the tram back to Western Springs). 27. Go past Seddon Fields entrance. 28. Turn right < into Jaggers Bush Reserve.
29. Follow the path straight ahead. After the bridge go up the steps to the left <.
30. Follow the footpath past Western Springs College and TAPAC.
31. Cross Motions Road at pedestrian lights, and go straight ahead up the slope to re-enter Zoo carpark.
32. Head to far corner of the carpark back to the entrance of Western Springs lakeside.
33. Turn right > at the corner of the playground.
34. Keep to the left < for Great North Road.
35. Turn right > after crossing the double arched bridge.
36. Cross Great North Road to return to carpark.