One Tree Hill & Cornwall Park

Season closer, and the first real hint of autumn showing itself.

We're meeting at Te Whatu Stardome Observatory & Planetarium and wandering from there up through Cornwall Park toward One Tree Hill, with the summer light starting to soften and the first colour change coming through in the trees. It's the biggest open green space on the calendar, and the last outing of the season is a good excuse to take it slowly.

The volcanic cone gives a proper view back over the city once you're up top, while the park itself (old oaks, grazing paddocks, the walking paths) gives a very different texture to work with on the way there. Good one to end on: big skies, wide space, and enough time to actually stand still for a while.

No theme, no pressure. You'll be walking alongside a friendly, easygoing group of photographers, all looking at the same stretch of park and seeing something slightly different in it.

• Te Whatu Stardome and its surrounding grounds as the starting point
• Cornwall Park's old oaks and open grazing paddocks
• The first hints of autumn colour coming through in the trees
• One Tree Hill's summit and the city view from the top
• The volcanic cone itself and its surrounding slopes
• Grazing sheep and cattle across the park
• Wide, open morning light — a bigger, calmer close to the season than most of the other walks

• Your camera or smartphone
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Curiosity and an open mind — this is all about exploring and having fun!