Walking time 10 mins
Walking steps 390 steps
Distance 300 m
Withiel Thomas Path - Start of the path opposite 6 Withiel Drive, Mt Eden.
Withiel Thomas Path - A sign that commemorates Professor Algernon Withiel Thomas, an early renowned academic at the University of Auckland who had a home a garden here.
Withiel Thomas Path - Entry to the park at the southern end.
Withiel Thomas Path - Narrow and rocky section of the track.
Withiel Thomas Path - Plants coming up through the ground of the volcanic rock forest.
Withiel Thomas Path - Native kawakawa plant.
Withiel Thomas Path - Tree roots that have reshaped themselves over rocks.
Withiel Thomas Path - Remnants of the hard landscaping features of the original garden.
Withiel Thomas Path - Plants taking root on the volcanic rocks.
Withiel Thomas Path - Section of the path descending steeply back to the road.
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Starts at 6-16 Withiel Drive, Epsom
Get directions on Google Maps
Follow the short walking loop through the park, starting at the entrance sign. Withiel Thomas Reserve is located on the edge of one-way Withiel Drive in Epsom, which comes down to Gillies Avenue. The park is notable as it is made up entirely of a tiny surviving remnant of lava rock forest – a rare ecosystem, after centuries of modification. Most of Auckland’s rock forest was lost in fires started by the earliest Māori settlers. The expansion of Auckland destroyed much of what was left.
Withiel Thomas Reserve was once part of the estate that belonged to Sir Algernon Withiel Thomas and his wife Emily. He was the first professor of natural history at Auckland University College. Next to the pocket of rock forest, they established a 4ha garden in the late 1800s.
The short but rugged nature loop through Withiel Thomas Reserve takes you through this rare little bit of forest. The path is rocky and slippery when wet, so take care walking after it has rained.
Walking 60 mins
Distance 4.5 km
Distance 3.6 km
Epsom
Bush reserve through part of an old estate.
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