Last updated October 2026
The Tuff Crater walkway, Te Ara o Matakamokamo, follows the rim of an old volcanic crater in Northcote on Auckland’s North Shore. The crater last erupted about 200,000 years ago and is now a salt marsh filled with mangroves, with views out to the Waitematā Harbour and the Auckland city skyline.
Auckland Council’s path page starts the walk at Heath Reserve, 140 Exmouth Road, and the council gives the upgraded path as 2.3 km long. It is mostly flat with a few ups and downs, on a mix of boardwalk, grass and gravel that can be muddy in places.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check with Auckland Council for updates on Tuff Crater on the day you walk.
More from Auckland Council
Practical Information
- Start
- Heath Reserve, 140 Exmouth Road, Northcote
- Other entrance
- Warehouse Way at the northern end; the reserve can also be reached from the end of St Peters Street
- Distance from the city
- About 5 km from Auckland
- Track length
- 2.3 km
- Terrain
- Mostly flat with a few ups and downs; boardwalk, grass and gravel; muddy in places
- Dogs
- On a leash at all times, unless the council’s dog walking rules say otherwise
- Facilities
- Seating, a viewing platform and restoration project information around the crater; a small playground at Heath Reserve
- Parking
- On-street parking on Exmouth Road
- Managed by
- Auckland Council (Kaipātiki Local Board)
- Status
- Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
About Tuff Crater Walkway
The council describes Tuff Crater reserve as a large reserve that surrounds the crater’s edge. The path keeps to the rim, so the crater sits on one side as you walk, with the Waitematā Harbour and the city skyline beyond.
The walkway was upgraded in stages by the Kaipātiki Local Board, which developed and funded the work over several years. The council described the finished route as a step-free journey running anticlockwise around the crater. Underfoot it changes as you go, with stretches of boardwalk, grass and gravel, so wear shoes that can handle some mud after rain.
Along the way you’ll pass seats, a viewing platform and panels about the Tuff Crater restoration project. The council’s path page also suggests a quick side trip over the motorway overbridge for wider views of the crater, the Waitematā Harbour and the city skyline.
Families can pair the walk with the small playground at Heath Reserve, where it starts.
Start, Finish and Getting Around
The walk starts at Heath Reserve at the bottom of Exmouth Road, where there’s on-street parking. The path isn’t a full loop yet. The council lists Warehouse Way as the northern entrance, and its path page describes climbing the bank past the office buildings onto Akoranga Drive to exit. Otherwise, simply return the way you came.
The local board has said it hopes to connect both ends of the track to a future pathway to the north, such as the Waitematā Harbour Connections project, which would turn the walk into a circuit. There are also plans for a path linking the track with Onepoto Domain, a separate crater nearby.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council: Tuff Crater path: start point, surface, parking and the route around the crater rim.
Auckland Council: Tuff Crater reserve: park details, access and dog rules.
OurAuckland: Tuff Crater upgrades complete: the upgraded 2.3 km walkway, its entrances and plans to extend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Tuff Crater walk start?
At Heath Reserve, 140 Exmouth Road, Northcote. The northern entrance is on Warehouse Way.
How long is the walkway?
Auckland Council gives the upgraded path as 2.3 km.
Is it a loop?
Not yet. You can return the way you came or exit at the northern end. The local board hopes to link both ends to a future pathway to make a circuit.
Is it a hard walk?
No. It is mostly flat with a few ups and downs, but parts can be muddy.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash at all times unless the council’s dog walking rules say otherwise.
Where can I park?
There’s on-street parking on Exmouth Road near Heath Reserve.
What is Tuff Crater?
A volcanic crater that last erupted about 200,000 years ago. Its floor is now a mangrove-filled salt marsh.
Where can I check if the track is open?
Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track line and facts: Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, Outdoor Access Commission, from LINZ and DOC data (CC BY 4.0). Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.