Takarunga Mount Victoria

Get ready to experience Takarunga / Mt Victoria, one of the most beloved tūpuna maunga (ancestral mountains) in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland! Rising 66 metres, this hill is a treasure trove of history and offers unbeatable panoramic views over the harbour, city skyline, and beyond.

Takarunga, meaning ‘hill standing above,’ was given due to its height above the now-leveled Takararo, which once stood nearby. Today, Takararo is the flat Cambria Reserve, having been entirely reshaped by quarrying. Takarunga was a key site for local Māori, and you can still spot the terracing and kūmara storage pits from the days when it was a thriving pā. And, while you're soaking up the stunning views, don’t miss the colourful mushroom-shaped vents at the summit, which mark the hidden reservoir below.

Once known as Flagstaff Hill, the maunga played a critical role in Auckland’s early signal station and military history. You can still explore the remains of a 19th-century gun fort, a relic from the days when the hill helped defend the city!

Whether you're here for the views or the history, Takarunga’s combination of natural beauty and cultural significance is not to be missed. Come for a stroll, take in the scenery, and enjoy a connection to both the past and present.