Auckland walk – Photo supplied by W. Bulach
| Start/Finish | Category | Distance | Estimated Walking Time |
| Sky Tower / Auckland Downtown ferry terminal | History and Architecture, Tourism | 2.8 km | 40 min* |
Summary
A walk through Auckland’s CBD exploring some of its most iconic and impressive buildings.
Public transport
Catch the bus to Sky Tower. Walk ends near Britomart Train Station
Directions
Starting point – Auckland skytower
This Auckland walk starts outside the Auckland Skytower located in Victoria St West. The Sky Tower is a telecommunications tower and has become an Auckland landmark. The tower is 328 metres tall and has an observation viewing platform, which the public can access to take in panoramic views of the city.
From the Skytower walk down Victoria St West in an easterly direction and then turn right into Elliott St. Walk to the end of Elliott St and then left down Wellesley St. On Wellesley St you will pass the Civic Theatre, which is a performing-arts theatre and cinema. It was the first purpose built cinema of its kind in New Zealand and known for its Indian-inspired foyer, which includes seated Buddhas, twisted columns and domed ceilings.
Continue down Wellesley St heading in a south easterly direction and you will pass the Auckland Art Gallery. The Art Gallery, which is located next to Albert Park, was established in 1888 as the first permanent Art Gallery in New Zealand. The Gallery has over 15,000 artworks, including pieces from New Zealand and European artists, as well as material from the middle ages to the present day.
Auckland Art Gallery
Image: Auckland Art Gallery, Photo Supplied by Amyaag
From the Art Gallery walk through Albert Park in a northerly direction and exit at the Princess St, or eastern side of the park. Continue down Princess St in a northerly direction and you will pass the University Clock Tower. The Old Arts building, known as the Clock Tower, is a striking piece of architecture completed in 1926. The 54-metre tower, which is faced with Mount Somers stone was inspired by the famous Tom Tower of Christ Church, Oxford.
Continue past the Clock Tower on Princess St and then turn right down Waterloo Quadrant. From here turn left down Parliament St, past the Auckland High Court and then left again down Eden Crescent.
At the end of Eden Crescent is Emily Place Reserve. Cut through the reserve and walk down Emily Place. At the end of Emily Place cross Customs St East and walk up Britomart Place in a northerly direction.
Finish – Downtown ferry terminal
From here turn left down Quay St, which will take you to the Downtown Ferry terminal where the Auckland walk ends. The terminal, which is the hub of the Auckland ferry network, is a yellow Edwardian building completed in 1912. From the downtown terminal you can catch a ferry home, or walk to Britomart train station, which is located nearby.
Auckland walk – GPX file
Information on GPX files and how to import them into Google maps on your phone can be found here.
Auckland walk – Map
Start – Sky Tower
- Sky Tower
- The Civic
- Auckland Art Gallery
- Albert Park
- University Clock Tower
- High Court
- Emily Place Reserve
- Downtown Ferry Terminal
End – Downtown Ferry Terminal
