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Auckland skyline seen from Mount Victoria Devonport

Mount Victoria Devonport: Best Views of Auckland Sunset and Skyline

You are here: Home / Travel / New Zealand / Auckland / Mount Victoria Devonport: Best Views of Auckland Sunset and Skyline

Last Updated: February 10, 2021 // by Rhonda Albom // 36 Comments

Auckland at sunset seen from Mount Victoria in Devonport New Zealand
Auckland sunset seen from Mount Victoria Devonport in New Zealand

There is no better view of an Auckland sunset of the city 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.

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 Auckland 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.

Two girls posing larger than life and silhouetted against the colors of the sunset
Silhouetted girls at the top of Mt Victoria.

First, be inspired by Auckland

Auckland sunset from Mount Victoria Devonport

Even on cloudless nights, the colourful Auckland sunset seen from the summit of Mt Victoria Devonport captures the imagination. While descriptions are nice, photos show it better:

Auckland skyline 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 which leads from the city to the North Shore. Takapuna glows in the foreground.
Auckland sunset seen from Mt 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.

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 of 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 originally built in 1954 and later fully automated in 2000.
  • The Devonport Folk Music Club which meets on Mondays in a historic bunker.
  • Mushroom vents on top of Mt Victoria
    Mushroom vents
  • Devonport Folk Music Club
    Devonport Folk Music Club
  • Rangitoto Island seen from Mt Victoria during the day
    View of Rangitoto Island
  • Auckland New Zealand skyline
    Also, my favourite daytime view of Auckland skyline

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, 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.

Auckland skyline in the last bit of daylight
Auckland after dark.

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.

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

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Auckland sunset seen from Mount Victoria Devonport in New Zealand

Planning tips for Auckland

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First-time visitors start here: New Zealand travel guide or with our favourite New Zealand road trips.

Rental Vehicles: For cars, we always use RentalCars.com, a rental car search engine with no hidden costs. For campervans, note that Spaceships Rentals NZ offers free one-way drop-off between Auckland and Christchurch.

Accommodations: We typically stay in 4-star accommodations. We live in Auckland and recommend either Hotel DeBrett or SkyCity Grand Hotel (if you’re on a tight budget, check out the backpacker options on Booking.com)

Activity Discounts: We use Bookme.co.nz to find discounts on entry tickets and tours in New Zealand.

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Have enjoyed the Auckland sunset from the lookout at Mount Victoria Devonport?

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Category: AucklandTag: Auckland, Hiking, recent1, Sunset, Volcano

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.

Previous Post: «Polynesian outrigger canoe at the Auckland Maritime Museum Polynesian Outrigger Canoes Close Up: Auckland Maritime Museum
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nina Clapperton

    February 16, 2021 at 3:38 am

    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)

    Reply
  2. Jamie Sharpe

    February 15, 2021 at 9:11 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Lolo

    August 5, 2017 at 10:58 pm

    Oh wow! What an amazing sunset!! Great spot! #wkendtravelinspiration

    Reply
  4. Kelleyn Rothaermel

    August 5, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Gorgeous sunset photos!

    Reply
  5. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    August 4, 2017 at 10:16 am

    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

      August 4, 2017 at 11:09 pm

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

      Reply
  6. Amy

    August 4, 2017 at 7:56 am

    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
  7. Indah Nuria

    August 3, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Such a glorious sunset indeed!

    Reply
  8. ladyfi

    August 3, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Wow – those shots are stunning!

    Reply
  9. Shere

    August 3, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    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
  10. Shannon

    August 3, 2017 at 8:41 am

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

    Reply
  11. Jeanna

    August 3, 2017 at 5:08 am

    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
  12. Francesca

    August 2, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    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
  13. Judee Algazi

    August 2, 2017 at 11:08 pm

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

    Reply
  14. Glenda Cates

    August 2, 2017 at 11:07 pm

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

    Reply
  15. Bill

    August 2, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    Quite some city views you have there

    Reply
  16. Kirsi

    August 2, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    So beautiful photos – New Zealand must be so grandiose.
    Thank you for the impressions!
    Greetings
    Kirsi

    Reply
  17. La Mamarazzi

    August 2, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Very nice photos!

    Reply
  18. Lara Dunning

    August 2, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    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
  19. Lydia C. Lee

    August 2, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Lovely pics – a playful mood in the contrast with the ‘shadows’

    Reply
  20. Sharon

    August 2, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Wow these photographs are beautiful. I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.

    Reply
  21. RBH

    August 2, 2017 at 11:19 am

    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
  22. Tam Warner Minton

    August 2, 2017 at 9:41 am

    One of these days I will get to New Zealand! I so want to explore and stay for weeks.

    Reply
  23. Alissa Apel

    August 2, 2017 at 9:36 am

    That is so pretty. I like the people in the shots too. It looks like you were all having fun.

    Reply
  24. Doreen Pendgracs

    August 2, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Would love to visit Auckland and explore Mount Victoria. Thx for the great pics!

    Reply
  25. Niki

    August 2, 2017 at 8:25 am

    I love the geological information at the beginning. I had no idea that the area was made of 48 volcanic cones.

    Reply
  26. Blu

    August 2, 2017 at 8:01 am

    Oh these are amazing! What type of lens do you use? I’ve never considered NZ as a place to go on vacay before.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      August 2, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      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.

      Reply
  27. Sandee

    August 2, 2017 at 5:48 am

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

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply
  28. Patrick Weseman

    August 2, 2017 at 2:58 am

    Beautiful shots. So lovely. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  29. Karren Haller

    August 2, 2017 at 2:35 am

    What amazing photography, mother nature does provide some beautiful sunsets!!

    Reply
  30. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

    August 2, 2017 at 12:35 am

    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
  31. stevebethere

    August 1, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    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
  32. Alex J. Cavanaugh

    August 1, 2017 at 11:21 pm

    I’d say you arrived at exactly the right time. Those photos are amazing!

    Reply
  33. Carol

    August 1, 2017 at 11:20 pm

    Another beautiful post Rhonda. Love the colors of the sky.

    Reply
  34. Hilary Melton-Butcher

    August 1, 2017 at 8:13 pm

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

    Reply

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About Albom Adventures

Rhonda Albom bio imageCapturing the essence of travel through photography, Albom Adventures inspires young baby boomers to travel New Zealand and the world. Together, Rhonda and Jeff have visted 63 countries on 6 continents.

While we look forward to our return to international travel, we are enjoying domestic travel in New Zealand.

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