Was walking through Monte Cecilia Park a few days ago and thought, there was a lot of space to add some geocaches, so I decided to turn them into a lovely series for all of you! Welcome to... “Monte Cecelia Adventure!”
Monte Cecelia Adventure is a small series of 5 geocaches spread around the reserve. Each cache is placed to highlight a different part of the area, so you’ll get a bit of variety as you move between them.
The land that makes up Monte Cecilia Park has a long history stretching back well before it became the public reserve seen today. The area was originally part of a large farming estate established in the 1800s by Thomas Henry, a wealthy Auckland merchant. He built the impressive Pah Homestead overlooking the surrounding land, naming the estate after his wife Cecilia, which is where “Monte Cecilia” comes from. The homestead quickly became known as one of the grandest homes in early Auckland, sitting high above the volcanic landscape with sweeping views across the area.
Over time the estate changed hands several times and much of the surrounding farmland slowly transformed as Auckland expanded around it. The grounds that were once private gardens and grazing land eventually became public space for the community to enjoy. Today the park is known for its large open fields, mature trees, walking tracks, sculptures, sports areas, and the historic homestead itself, which now operates as an arts centre and gallery.
As you wander through the reserve, you’re walking through land that has seen everything from early farming days and elegant estate gardens to community events, football games, concerts, and everyday park life. Some areas feel wide open and peaceful, while others can get surprisingly busy depending on the time of day.
Inside each container you’ll find a code. Collect all five to unlock the final bonus cache hidden close by...
Take your time exploring, stay aware of your surroundings, and re-hide each cache as you found it so others can enjoy the hunt too.
The geocache is a small tin, please cover afterwards. No hint needed, too easy!
Be stealthy with finding and replacing these hides, Monte Cecelia Park is a busy park!
NOT RECOMMENDED AT NIGHT