WHAT'S HERE?
LEARN ABOUT IT
When the eruptions ceased they left a deep explosion crater which filled with water to become a freshwater lake. Slowly sediment accumulated on the floor of the lake, capturing a record of many later ash eruptions that occurred in Auckland or where the ash was blown over Auckland from eruptions in the centre of the North Island, at Ruapehu and Mt Taranaki. The lake overflowed in the NW corner lowering the tuff ring in this area. As sea level rose after the end of the Last Ice Age, the sea progressively advanced up the lower Purewa Valley and eventually entered Orakei Basin about 9000 years ago, which by this time was a shallow swamp. Since then the basin has been a tidal lagoon accumulating marine mud on top of the lake and swamp sediment. In the 1920s the main trunk railway line was constructed through the northern portion of the crater creating a salt water lake that is now flushed out on spring tides twice a month.
HAVE A LOOK!
Can you see the slump scarps on the slopes around Kepa Rd where the wet ash is slowly slumping downhill?
The best places for panoramic views over the crater are from the side of Upland Rd and from the crest of the tuff ring in the grassed reserve above the west side (next to Orakei Rd).
See if you can see any blocks that have landed in the tuff layers creating small impact craters.
What is all the shell doing alongside the access road into the carpark?
There are at least six public entrances to the walking track that encircles Orakei Basin. The main entrance and small car park is off Orakei Rd, opposite the shopping centre. Walking access can be obtained from next to the railway line on Orakei Rd, and at the end of Purewa Rd, beyond Meadowbank Railway Station. Other places with walking track access are off Upland Rd, the end of Meadowbank Rd and in two directions from the end of Lucerne Rd. If you come by train, get off at either Meadowbank or Orakei Stations.
The steps around Lucerne Rd can be slippery and steep for some. The track is unsealed in these areas and can sometimes be muddy and slippery. The boardwalk alongside the railway line is shared with fast travelling bicycles - beware of them. A short section of track shares the access road in to the carpark off Orakei Rd - take care for cars on this narrow stretch.
Level wheelchair access is available from the carpark off Orakei Rd, and alongside the railway line at both ends. The walkway has steep steps however on the sections either side of Lucerne Rd. Makes a very pleasant 45 minute circuit walk.