20 trampers left Hamilton at 7.30am for the 16km Coast to Coast walk, picking up an extra tramper in Auckland.

We set off from Fort Street and headed up hill (which was to be the theme for the day), to Albert Park where we had morning tea. 

Cutting through the University of Auckland campus we entered the Domain, encountering a gradual incline which was a warm up for Mount Eden, a volcanic peak which at 196m high is the highest natural point in Auckland. We reached the summit in time for a half-lunch stop before a heavy shower arrived. 

The crater was impressive and it was nice to see a boardwalk was being installed in the crater. We made our way downhill and carefully along a slippy side track to the University of Auckland Epsom campus where we had a second lunch in the sun, sitting on some picnic benches. 

Navigating our way through the campus, the group split into two for a short time, then entered Cornwall Park, where there was a beautiful fountain with moss covered rocks in the centre supporting a statue of Sir John Logan Campbell.  Within Cornwall Park is One Tree Hill, a 182m volcanic peak, which some of us scrambled to the top of to be rewarded with views of both Auckland harbours. 

After a leisurely stroll down the hill using the road, we went on to finish the walk at Onehunga. An ice cream stop at Pokeno was a nice way to end the long walk. We arrived back in Hamilton shortly before 5.30pm. Thank you to Alison, Carol, Colin and Grant for leading and driving.