EarthFest Free Public Field Trip - 6 Guided Walks to choose from!
Schedule
Sat, 22 Nov, 2025 at 11:30 pm to Sun, 23 Nov, 2025 at 06:30 am
UTC+13:00Location
Auckland, New Zealand | Auckland, AU
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Come and meet us at the designated places 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!We have provided a summary of each walk below. For full details please refer to our website: https://earthfest.nz/field-trips/
❗IMPORTANT: while our volunteers will lead these walks safely and responsibly, by joining one or more of our walks you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing, and of those in your care.
🚶🏽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.
Walk duration: ~60 mins
Meet at 9am, corner of Ihumātao Quarry Rd and Oruarangi Rd. Bring enclosed footwear. No eating on site.
🚶🏽♀️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.
Walk duration: ~90 mins
Meet at 10.30am, at the gate to the Māngere Mountain Education Centre. Moderate level of fitness required.
🚶🏽Domain & Grafton Volcanoes
Explore two of Auckland's oldest volcanoes and their important roles in the history of Auckland City with geologist Bruce Hayward.
Walk duration: ~75 mins
Meet at 10.30am, 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.
Walk duration: ~60 mins
Meet at 2.30pm, 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.
Walk duration: ~60 mins
Meet at 3pm, 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.
Walk duration: ~60 mins
Meet at 3.30pm, on the grass beside the Takapuna Beach boat ramp carpark.
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Auckland, New ZealandEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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