Auckland Short Walk: Tuff Crater - North Shore
There are future plans to build a bridge across the entrance to the Tuff Crater, at Northcote in the North Shore to make a circular walk.
Until then, this walk loops around from Onepoto Domain then along half of dog friendly Tuff Crater before heading up the crater rim and back through streets and then onto another bush track. Bear in mind that Tuff Crater is a nature walk and home to many birds.
Onepoto Basin is another of Auckland’s explosion craters and it is the oldest dated, erupting about 250,000 years ago. The Maori name “Onepoto” means small beach (named after Halls Beach near Northcote Point). There are plans to restore Tuff Crater, which is another explosion crater, to its natural state with a balanced ecosystem of native plants and wildlife, all with volunteer help. It was formed by explosive eruptions around the same time as Onepoto.
Description: Bush track, steps, inclines. Muddy in places when wet. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Native bush, views across Auckland Harbour, native birds, volcanic crater
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.0 kms) Parking: Onepoto Domain, Northcote. Cafes: At Northcote Shopping Centre Public toilets: Onepoto Domain Children’s playgrounds: Onepoto Domain, Heath Avenue reserve Dogs: Off leash dog exercise area in Tuff Crater Reserve (be aware of native birds).
Picnic Sites: Onepoto Domain Nearby Walks: Northcote Point, Le Roys Bush, Takapuna
Directions:
Start from Onepoto Domain beside the Children’s Playground.
1. Head into the playground area, and take the walkway to the left < between two play areas, keeping the big slide on your right >.
2. Follow the path which becomes a grassy track, cross over a narrow bridge and follow the path up the hill. 3. Turn left < into Sylvan Avenue. 4. Turn right > into Heath Avenue. 5. At the end of Heath Avenue follow the grassy walkway down to the reserve.
6. Cross the reserve to Exmouth Road and continue straight ahead along the track through Tuff Crater Reserve.
7. Exit the reserve and turn left < into Saint Peters Way (the road comes right down to the path where there is a wooden platform).
8. Turn left < up the walkway between #25 and #21. 9. Cross College Road and turn left <. 10. Turn left < along Exmouth Road. 11. Turn right > into Dudding Avenue. 12. Turn left < along walkway between #22 and #24. 13. Turn right > into Kororo Street. 14. Turn left < into Lake Road. 15. Turn left < Rotary Grove. Continue straight ahead along path alongside the swamp land to the very end. 16. Turn right > into Tarahanga Street. 17. Turn left < to enter Onepoto Domain and return to the start.