EarthFest Guided Walks
Explore the rocks and landscapes around Tāmaki Makaurau
Come and meet us at the designated spots around Auckland at the designated times to hear kōrero from our volunteer experts about the rocks beneath your feet. There's literally millions of years worth of stories they can tell, but don't worry—our Earth science communicators will condense these into engaging 60 - 90 min walking presentations at each location.
We guarantee you'll never look at your local landscape the same way again!
IMPORTANT:
By participating in our guided walks you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing, and of those in your care.
Any unsafe or otherwise antisocial behaviour may lead to the termination of a presentation at the discretion of our presenters.
Saturday 22 November
(straight after the main festival finishes)
Three Kings Volcano
Three Kings Volcano erupted on the main watershed divide on the Auckland Isthmus 28,000 years ago. Its initial eruptions threw out the largest amount of ash of any of Auckland's 53 volcanoes and resulted in the largest crater. Scoria cones and a lava lake later partly filled the crater and some of these have been quarried away. Geologist Bruce Hayward will lead a walk around the inside the southern half of this 1 km diameter crater highlighting major features that still remain.
Meeting Time: 3:15pm
Duration: Approx. 75 min
Accessibility: moderate level of fitness required
Meet at: outside the Fickling Convention Centre (near the tennis courts)
Sunday 23 November
(the day AFTER the main festival)
Otuataua Stone Fields Historic Reserve
Join Geoconservation Trust secretary Ilmars Gravis for a short kōrero about the geological and volcanic history of this area of the Manukau Lowlands and Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF) before visiting Pukeiti, the smallest volcanic cone in the AVF. Explore exposures of welded scoria splatter, and view lava flow channels that can be seen in the direction of the harbour. Also nearby are historic farming stone walls made of local scoria.
Meeting Time: 9 am
Duration: Approx. 60 min
Accessibility: Easy walking; enclosed footwear required. No eating on site.
Meet at: corner of Ihumātao Quarry Rd and Oruarangi Rd.
Te Pane o Mataoho - Māngere Mountain
Māngere Mountain, one of the largest still intact cones in the Auckland Volcanic Field and a significant pā site. During a steep walk to the summit you will see the two volcanic craters, a lava plug (tholoid), and from the summit, spectacular views across the Manukau Harbour and the Manukau Lowlands. You will also be looking down on the adjacent Māngere Lagoon, a water filled explosion crater. Also clearly visible on the maunga is the record of human occupation, such as terracing and kūmara pits.
Meeting Time: 10:30 am
Duration: Approx. 90 min
Accessibility: moderate level of fitness required
Meet at: the gate to the Māngere Mountain Education Centre, 100 Coronation Road, Māngere Bridge
Domain & Grafton Volcanoes
Explore two of Auckland's oldest volcanoes with geologist Bruce Hayward. See the Domain through fresh eyes, including the freshwater spring-fed duck ponds, filled by groundwater that collects in the rocks that fill the crater and which was the source of the first piped water supply for fledgling Auckland in 1865. Then explore neighbouring Grafton volcano, which wasn't recognised as a volcano until drilling for the Medical School and Hospital confirmed it in the 1990's!
Meeting Time: 10:30 am
Duration: Approx. 75 min
Accessibility: Easy walking
Meet at: at the back (south) entrance of Auckland Museum
Eastern Beach Turbidites
Discover the sedimentary rocks at the south-eastern end of Eastern Beach with urban geologist Philip Kirk. Learn about sedimentary basins and turbidites (large sedimentary deposits left by submarine landslides), as well as the weathering and erosion that takes place once rocks are uplifted to the surface. Because it’s his day job, Philip will probably also talk about groundwater and tunnelling in Auckland, as well as active faults and regional tectonics, volcanoes...and other great ways you can explore Auckland's awesome geology!
Meeting Time: 2:30 pm
Duration: Approx. 60 min
Accessibility: Easy walking, uneven ground
Meet at: south end of Eastern Beach, Pakuranga
Campbells Bay
Join geologist Bruce Hayward on the North Shore as he takes you on a guided tour of coastal outcrops of the Waitemata Sandstones and volcanic lahar-deposited Parnell Grits. He will take you back 20 million years to a time when all of Auckland was over 1000 m beneath the waves and these rocks were deposited as alternating layers of sand and mud on the floor of a deep marine basin. Subsequent uplift has resulted in excellent exposures of these units in the coastal cliffs.
Meeting Time: 3 pm
Duration: Approx. 60 min
Accessibility: Easy walking
Meet at: at the end of Huntly Rd
Takapuna Fossil Forest
Join Thomas Stolberger at the Takapuna Fossil Forest to see where ancient lava flows from the Pupuke Volcano preserved the shapes of a coastal forest that once stood here around 193,000 years ago. Along the coastal walkway between Milford and Takapuna, you can spot tree trunk moulds, lava arches, horizontal log impressions, and lava blisters formed when hot basalt lava from Pupuke’s eruptions flowed through this ancient forest and solidified around burning trees. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Auckland’s past!
Meeting Time: 3:30 pm
Duration: Approx. 60 min
Accessibility: TBC
Meet at: on the grass beside the Takapuna Beach boat ramp carpark
Inside A Lava Cave
Join expert speleologist (cave scientist and explorer) Peter Crossley on an exclusive trip down into one of Auckland's 180+ lava caves. Learn about how these remarkable features form, how they have changed, and why lava caves are such a unique and special part of our geoheritage. Access to this cave is via private property and we thank the landowners for providing us with the opportunity to offer this extra special trip!
Meeting Time: TBC
Duration: Approx. 60 min
Accessibility: good level of fitness required (and no claustrophobia). You will need to bring sturdy enclosed shoes, warm clothes, thick gardening-style gloves, a proper torch (a phone light is not enough), and a woolly hat (preferably with a pompom).
Spaces strictly limited to 30 people max. Meeting place details will be provided to people who sign up for this trip at Peter's public talk at 11am on Saturday 22 November.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
What to expect:
You will need to make your own way to each location to meet our presenters at the designated time. Please travel safely and be wary of traffic, especially around busy carparks and/or when accompanying small children.
The amount of walking at each location will vary. We will set a relaxed pace with multiple stops, but please expect to do some walking over uneven terrain.
Talks at each location will last approximately 60 - 90 mins, but you are free to come and go as you please.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
What to bring:
sturdy, comfortable footwear
sunscreen, sunhat & sunglasses
wind/rain jacket
warm clothes
insect repellent
personal medications
camera