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There is no better view of the Auckland skyline than from the summit of Mount Victoria Devonport.  The 360-degree views of the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf are perhaps the best in the region. We try to bring all our visitors here in the afternoon.

This weekend traffic slowed us down, forcing us to have a new experience as the sun already dipped just below the horizon line. Arriving just after the golden hour, we feared we were too late. Instead, a richly coloured sky and a warm glow across the land greeted us.

The Auckland region is built on the cones of 48 volcanoes. Mount Victoria Devonport, standing 87 meters tall, is the tallest on Auckland’s North Shore. In comparison, Auckland city’s tallest volcano is Mount Eden at 196 metres, and the nearby Rangitoto Island rises to 260 metres.

Auckland at sunset seen from Mount Victoria Devonport in New Zealand
Looking to the southwest, the Auckland Sky Tower dominates the city skyline.
Auckland Harbour bridge seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
Looking west towards the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It leads from the North Shore (where we stand) into Auckland. The town of Takapuna glows in the foreground.
Auckland at sunset seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
Looking northwest over the Ngataringa Bay.
Devonport at sunset seen from Mount Victoria in New Zealand
Looking North over the cities of Devonport and Takapuna.

A Bit of the History of Mount Victoria Devonport

Once a Maori pā (a village or defence settlement) the age of this ancient volcano’s first eruption remains unknown. It’s Maori name “Takarunga”  means “hill standing above”.  In 1840 the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi created the New Zealand we know today, then governed by Queen Victoria, ergo the name. The British used Mount Victoria as a vantage viewpoint to protect New Zealand from an anticipated Russian invasion (this event never took place).

It was also used to guide ships into Auckland Harbour and to alert the locals as to which ships were incoming or returning. Nearby homes were built with a line of sight to the flagpole. The signalman lived on the mountain, and his old house is used today as a writing centre promoting New Zealand literature.

Silhouette of girls just after sunset seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
Silhouette of our daughter and AFS host daughter.
Silhouette of photographers just after sunset seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
I wasn’t the only one taking photos. This silhouette is two other photographers up on the hill.

What You Will Find at the Summit

  • One of New Zealand’s few remaining disappearing guns; (A second one is on nearby North Head.)
  • A field of colourfully painted mushrooms that function as vents for a water pumping station which lies underneath the surface of the mountain;
  • A few Maori pā terraces and pits remain on the upper slopes;
  • And, a fully automated signal station (built in 1954, automated in 2000).
Auckland after dark seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
Auckland after dark.

More Information:

  • Access to the summit of Mount Victoria Devonport is via car, mini-coach, Segway, or on foot. The access road is off of Kerr Street. Look for the signpost reading “To Mount Victoria Summit”.
  • If you are going to drive, take caution as the narrow road does go in both directions. There is free parking available at the top, although it is limited.
  • While in Devonport, be sure to walk along Devonport Wharf. Also, visit the nearby volcanic cone on North Head, a former military complex with tunnels that you can walk through, cannons, and another of the disappearing guns.
  • If you prefer a tour, Viator offers a Devonport Volcanoes Afternoon Tour from Auckland that covers it all.
  • There is also a Mount Victoria to the east of central Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. It was a filming location for the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. (Director Peter Jackson was born in Wellington). It offers spectacular views of Wellington Harbour. Interestingly, it is the same height as Mount Eden, Auckland city’s tallest volcano.

Don’t Miss: 25 Things to Do in Auckland at Night or more Photos of Sunsets in New Zealand.

If you enjoyed these images, please pin this on Pinterest:

Auckland at sunset seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand

Photo Tips:

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Where is your favourite view of Auckland? Have you been to the lookout at Mount Victoria Devonport?

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About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    What a very great site. I really loved seeing Aulkand at night. What a beautiful photo. With all those volcanoes has any of them erupted See ya Rhonda.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      Rangitoto Island erupted about 600 years ago, around the time Columbus discovered America. It’s the youngest volcano in Auckland.

      Reply

  5. Amy

    oh, now I miss Devonport, I spent a few years living and working there in my early 20s – plus one of my aunts use to own property along Stanley Point 🙁

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      You should visit Auckland for a weekend, there is so much to see and do, and a trip up to the top of Mount Victoria.

      Reply

  8. Shere

    I just realised that we spent too little time in Auckland. We didn’t know about this viewpoint and either climb the sky tower.
    Every time I read your posts I think we missed s9 much and we should come again to NZ

    Reply

  9. Shannon

    Mount Victoria looks absolutely stunning! I’m hoping to make it to New Zealand one day. I now know where to go!

    Reply

  10. Jeanna

    All that beauty and free photo tips too! Such impressive color and silhouettes. Access by Segway? Did the inventor go over a cliff on a Segway?

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      LOL – The inventor of Segway didn’t loose it here in New Zealand. The Segway tour on Mt. Victoria sounds like lots of fun.

      Reply

  11. Francesca

    I wish I could answer your question, but I still haven’t been to Auckland yet… it’s on my bucket list! Thank you for the wonderful photos, it felt like being there for a moment XOXO

    Reply

  12. Judee Algazi

    Your photos are beautiful and I appreciate the history. I enjoyed learning about a place I’ve never been to. Thanks

    Reply

  13. Glenda Cates

    Beautiful pictures and it was fun learning about a City I knew nothing about. Thank you for sharing and have a Blessed day.

    Reply

  18. Lara Dunning

    I can see why they used it has a vantage point. Great view from up there! Thanks for all the tips. I hope to visit one day soon.

    Reply

  21. RBH

    Wow, looks so awesome. I’ve been to Mt Victoria, but not at sunset as I used to live in South Auckland. And I loved to take visitors to Auckland to the Devonport side to look back at the Auckland City over the sea. It looked just like a postcard.

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      LOL – that’s what I would have said before this weekend. It never occurred to me to go at sunset before. But now, I think it is my favourite time of day.

      Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I am glad I included it then. If you visit Auckland, you would be very away of the hills and volcanos. You won’t notice 48, but there are plenty to see.

      Reply

  27. Sandee

    Great shots as always. I’ll probably never get to New Zealand, but it’s fun to read about.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply

  30. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

    Those are some fantastic shots! I love the colors that come with the sunset. Visiting Devonport was one of my favorite things to do when we lived in Auckland.

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I think it is a favourite spot of all Aucklanders, although it is surprisingly never very crowded up there.

      Reply

  31. stevebethere

    Love these and the views those silhouettes are brilliant and Auckland in the dark

    We have the NZ version of Traffic Cops on TV here similar to UK version but interesting to see the difference in dealing with situations.

    Have a tanfastic day Rhonda 🙂

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      I was pretty pleased with the way the silhouettes came out, especially as my camera was hand held. Had I known I was heading there so late, I would have brought a tripod.

      Reply

  34. Hilary Melton-Butcher

    Hi Rhonda – certainly a stunning viewpoint and your photos do it justice … amazing to see – cheers Hilary

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      Thanks Hilary. I have been up there so many times, but never at sunset before. I think it is my new favourite time.

      Reply

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