Mount Eden, Auckland Overview

If New Zealand is on your bucket list, one of the places you cannot miss is Mount Eden, a suburb of Auckland on North Island. It is a place that strikes the right balance between culture and natural attractions. The best time to visit is between October to May to ensure pleasant weather and view when you are there.

This volcanic peak, Maungawhau, is around 650 ft high. It has a 160 ft deep crater and is one of the most popular tourist sites. From the top, one can get a beautiful 360-degree view of the harbour below. Unfortunately, there aren't many modes of transport available to the top. However, one can easily take a hike with comfortable shoes and a willingness to explore. It is merely a 2 -kilometre walk over 5.5 acres of grasslands filled with colourful plants, flowers and waterfalls. It takes not more than an hour on foot to reach the point where one can see the entire isthmus and famous locations such as Auckland Harbour Bridge, Rangitoto Island and Sky Towers.

History

The village is placed on a hill in the outskirts of Auckland and Maungawhau is said to have last exploded around 28,000 years ago. The stone observation platform at the volcanic peak of this mountain was made with the help of an elephant during Prince Alfred's 1870s tour of Auckland. The beginning of this tourist site can be traced back to the Pre European settlements. The mountain was known to have been occupied by the Maori villagers as it provided them with plenty of supply, suitable climate, and fertility. The quality of land here made Maungawhau a desirable and much-disputed area.

The suburban development in this region started in the late and by the dawn of the twentieth century, the population had expanded by 70% approximately. By the early 21st century, Mount Eden was not only home to Europeans but for people from all over the world as well. Hence, one can see a diverse share of groups living and visiting Mount Eden. This is reflected by the kind of food, sites, and activities available in this suburb. The town offers a mix of heritage and modernism, allowing the visitors to see a balance between Western as well as Asian lifestyles. This makes Mount Eden a special destination and hub for tourism, art, and culture.

Restaurants in Mount Eden

When it comes to food, the heart of Auckland - Mount Eden spoils you for choices. The suburb caters to all kinds of popular cuisines under the sun. From high-end patisseries to affordable restaurants, be it cheeseburgers, Chinese, Japanese or even fusion, this tourist attraction has a watch on all sorts of palettes. Not to mention, the Argentinian empanadas and pork bellies are sumptuous and filling. The place also caters for vegetarians, vegans, and people who follow gluten-free diets. In a nutshell, anyone with common dietary restrictions will have a variety available.

To name a few well-known eateries:

Eden Noodles and Mr. Zhou's are very popular for Asian food.
American diners, the top names on the list include The Garden Shed, Ralph's Bar and Eatery and The Good Home.
There is also great variety when it comes to desserts, cocktails, sodas or wine. So for all the foodies out there, do not miss your chance at filling your stomach with delicacies the place has to offer.

Places to Visit

When it comes to site seeing or visiting places in and around Mt Eden, the list keeps getting more exciting. One can choose from guided tours to basic art galleries and museums.

Guided Tours - Guided tour of Eden Park includes a walk around Mount Eden stadium, which is a must for all sports fans.

The Ra Karakia- Maori Dawn ceremony - It is a beautiful ceremony that welcomes the sun and pays tribute to the Earth.

The Wine Tours- across East and West is a great opportunity for all the wine lovers to explore wines from all over the world while socializing with people from different walks of life.

Contemporary art tours and bookstores such as About face, Time Out Bookstore are a few places for book worms to find a comfortable spot for themselves amidst this bright and spirited suburb.

Mount Eden Prison is one site that takes its visitors back to its antiquity, enabling them to understand the development of the village over the years.

Activities

All the hikers and fitness freaks that step foot on Mount Eden are never left with a minute to spare. Tourists can run up the summit of Mt Eden through different routes, watch the sunrise or sunset, do the cultural walking tour till the top of the mountain.

Culture

The suburban development in this region started in the late and by the dawn of the twentieth century, the population had expanded by 70% approximately. By the early 21st century, Mount Eden was not only home to Europeans but for people from all over the world as well. Hence, one can see a diverse share of groups living and visiting Mount Eden. This is reflected by the kind of food, sites, and activities available in this suburb. The town offers a mix of heritage and modernism, allowing the visitors to see a balance between Western as well as Asian lifestyles. This makes Mount Eden a special destination and hub for tourism, art, and culture.