There is no better view of an Auckland sunset over the city skyline than from the summit of Mount Victoria Devonport. The 360-degree views of Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf are perhaps the best in the region.
Whether you visit in the day or evening, you won’t be disappointed. Either time, enjoy the Auckland skyline. During the day, we like to watch the boats come and go, but better still, we love being here for the Devonport sunset. Best of all, access to this spectacular site has been free since becoming a public reserve in 1880.
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.
Mount Victoria sunset
Even on cloudless nights, the colourful Devonport sunset overlooking Auckland from the summit of Mt Victoria captures the imagination. While descriptions are nice, photos show it better.
Looking to the southwest, the Auckland Sky Tower dominates the city skyline.
Another lovely Devonport view is looking west towards the Auckland Harbour bridge which leads from the city to the North Shore. Takapuna glows in the foreground.
Looking northwest over Ngataringa Bay.
Looking North over the cities of Devonport and Takapuna.
Where is Mt Victoria Devonport?
Located on the North Shore, just over the Harbour Bridge from the city, Devonport is one of Auckland’s neighbourhoods. Access to the summit of Mount Victoria is via foot or bicycle. The access road was permanently closed to all private motor vehicles in March 2018.
However, there is a small car parking area off Kerr Street if you want to start here for your walk. Look for the signpost reading “To Mount Victoria Summit”.
Importantly, if you don’t want to walk to the top, join into an Auckland sunset and night photography tour. Not only do you get to see several lit-up views of Auckland, but you will also travel with a guide that can give you guidance on camera settings to get even better night shots.
To walk from the coast, there is a path that starts on King Edward Parade. From here, head up Church Street and turn left onto Kerr Street. The path to the summit is well-signposted. If on a bicycle, you will need to follow the road. However, if on foot we have found the staircase to be a better option.
What’s at Mt Victoria’s summit
There is more than just spectacular views, although that is generally the reason we go to the top. You will also find:
- One of New Zealand’s few remaining disappearing guns; (A second one is on nearby North Head.)
- A field of colourfully painted mushrooms that actually are vents for a water pumping station underneath the surface of the volcano
- A few Maori pā terraces and pits remain on the upper slopes
- A signal station that was originally built in 1954 and later fully automated in 2000.
- The Devonport Folk Music Club meets on Mondays in a historic bunker, according to the sign on the door.
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. Its 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, thus earning the moniker Flagstaff Hill.
The signalman lived on the mountain, and his old house is used today as a writing centre promoting New Zealand literature.
Final thoughts
- 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.
- 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.
- See more beautiful spots in Auckland here.
More from Auckland you might like
… starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city
Nina Clapperton
I remember watching the sunset from this exact spot with some friends when I lived in NZ a few years ago. I genuinely get weepy missing it, so thank you so much for the memories (and the incredible shots)
Jamie Sharpe
Auckland is a dream destination, but so far from where I am! Will have to get there as soon as international travel returns. Thanks for sharing.
Lolo
Oh wow! What an amazing sunset!! Great spot! #wkendtravelinspiration
Kelleyn Rothaermel
Gorgeous sunset photos!
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
Rhonda Albom
Rangitoto Island erupted about 600 years ago, around the time Columbus discovered America. It’s the youngest volcano in Auckland.
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 🙁
Indah Nuria
Such a glorious sunset indeed!
ladyfi
Wow – those shots are stunning!
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
Shannon
Mount Victoria looks absolutely stunning! I’m hoping to make it to New Zealand one day. I now know where to go!
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?
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
Judee Algazi
Your photos are beautiful and I appreciate the history. I enjoyed learning about a place I’ve never been to. Thanks
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.
Bill
Quite some city views you have there
Kirsi
So beautiful photos – New Zealand must be so grandiose.
Thank you for the impressions!
Greetings
Kirsi
La Mamarazzi
Very nice photos!
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.
Lydia C. Lee
Lovely pics – a playful mood in the contrast with the ‘shadows’
Sharon
Wow these photographs are beautiful. I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.
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.
Tam Warner Minton
One of these days I will get to New Zealand! I so want to explore and stay for weeks.
Alissa Apel
That is so pretty. I like the people in the shots too. It looks like you were all having fun.
Doreen Pendgracs
Would love to visit Auckland and explore Mount Victoria. Thx for the great pics!
Niki
I love the geological information at the beginning. I had no idea that the area was made of 48 volcanic cones.
Blu
Oh these are amazing! What type of lens do you use? I’ve never considered NZ as a place to go on vacay before.
Rhonda Albom
I was usning an Olympus 14-150mm lens on a Olympus OMD Em5 Mark II with the ISO set quite high for all of the images.
Sandee
Great shots as always. I’ll probably never get to New Zealand, but it’s fun to read about.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Patrick Weseman
Beautiful shots. So lovely. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Karren Haller
What amazing photography, mother nature does provide some beautiful sunsets!!
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.
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 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I’d say you arrived at exactly the right time. Those photos are amazing!
Carol
Another beautiful post Rhonda. Love the colors of the sky.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – certainly a stunning viewpoint and your photos do it justice … amazing to see – cheers Hilary