Cornwall Park & One Tree Hill, Auckland

Defintiely worth a visits for some nice panaromic views if the city and Manuaku harbour. Read my related travelogue.

Cornwall Park is where some locals like to spent their weekend relaxing in the Park , walking their dogs, jogging and playing ball with their kids.There is also a nice cafe and ice cream shop in the park. You can also see sheeps and cows grazing on the slopes of One Tree Hill.

Passed Cornwall Park you can drive up One trip hill of the surrounding area and Manukau Harbour.

you get some great night time views of Auckland on top of One Tree Hill.

http://www.crocketts.org/sterling/onetree.html

I don't believe in painted roses
Or bleeding hearts
While bullets rape the night of the merciful
I'll see you again
When the stars fall from the sky
And the moon has turned red
Over One Tree Hill *U2*

Thats from the Irish band who did a song on Aucklands One tree hill.

The first home in Auckland of John Logan Campbell is in the park. Acacia Cottage was moved here in 1920 and has been restored and furnished to reflect his life in the house. Originally it was in Shortland Street in the city. The cottage is open to visitors 7.00am to dusk in summer and 7.00am to 4.00pm in winter. It is Auckland’s oldest surviving building.

There is also a kiosk is on the north side across from Acacia Cottage (next to the Information Centre) which offers afternoon teas including Devonshire teas and Victorian teas. They also offer café style lunches. Many wedding receptions are held here.

Cornwall Park, on One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), is one of the largest landscaped parks in Auckland. The park was donated by Sir John Logal Campbell who is now buried on the summit of One Tree Hill next to the Obelisk. There are extensive walkways running throughout the park which is popular for walkers and joggers. On the large grassy pasturelike areas you will see sheep and cattle grazing and the odd chooks as well. You can drive through the park under shady mature trees and see old stone walls amidst avenues of oaks and kauri trees. There are also picnic and bbq areas throughout the park.

The park is open 7.00 am to dusk every day. Signs at the gates show the closing time

One Tree Hill was once named after a lonely pine tree that once stood on the summit. One of the best views of the city can be seen from this volcanic cone that was once the site of Maori pa, or fortified village (evidence of the pa can still be seen on there) The tree was the burial site of one of Auckland's 'founding' fathers, Sir John Campbell, who played an important part in the city's early development, but unfortunately this long standing icon is no longer. In 1994 the tree was attacked with a chain saw by a Maori activist but survived, unfortunately in 1999 when it was attacked again by vandals, it was decided that the tree would not survive and had to come down. The tree was 120 years old.

Acacia Cottage was built in 1841, which makes it the oldest timber building in Auckland. It used to stand in the city's Shortland Street, before being relocated to Cornwall Park in 1920.
It is only a small cottage, but entry is free. It gives an insight into how some of the early settlers of New Zealand used to live, and the tourist information office opposite has a leaflet telling more about the history of the cottage, explaining how it was built and when alterations were made.
The verandah out the back makes for a pleasant place to sit and look out over the surrounding parkland.

Located in Cromwell Park is One Tree Hill.The final resting grounds for Sir John Logan Campbell or better known as the "Father of Auckland". Basically another one of the scenic places where you can have a panoramic picture of Auckland taken. Don't be surprised by farm animals roaming around in Cromwell Park as this park used to be a farm. Do drive up carefully as the hills are steep. However, upon reaching the top, you will know that the careful ascend was well worth the effort.

One Tree Hill is in Cornwall Park, but it features on the Auckland skyline from some distance away - the summit is 183.5m above sea level. You can drive or walk to the top and take in great views. At the top is an Obelisk, unveiled in 1940 - the Centennial year of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and intended as a tribute to the Maori people. There is also Sir John Logan Campbells grave.