Auckland Attractions

Queen Street is Auckland's pulse - the district where people go to work, eat, shop, and walk. A leisurely walking tour along Queen Street from the waterfront to Town Hall and back through Albert Park will help you get acquainted with the city.

Between Quay and Customs streets, Queen Street is a pedestrian mall - Queen Elizabeth II Square, marked by a fountain and statues. A few blocks farther up the street, pause to enjoy the greenery and benches in Vulcan Lane; blacksmiths once plied their trade here.

At the Visitors' Bureau in Aotea Square, you can learn about inner city walks and obtain leaflets with maps showing a variety of suggested routes.

Town Hall. Topped by a clock tower, the 1911 Town Hall stands on Queen Street opposite Wakefield Street. A magnificent kauri slab, cut from a 3,000-year-old tree, dominates the foyer; kauri timber was used to panel the city council chamber. The building also houses a large auditorium and a concert hall. Nearby is Myers Park, a secluded reserve known for its many grand Phoenix palms.

City Art Gallery. A 19th century building at the southwest corner of Albert Park (Kitchener Street and Wellesley Street East) is home for the country's most complete collection of New Zealand art, recording the entire history of European settlement in New Zealand. A modem collection includes representative works by living New Zealand artists. The art gallery is open from 10 A.M. to 4:30 P.m. on weekdays, to 8:30 P.m. on Friday, and from 1 to 5:30 P.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Albert Park. This peaceful retreat-a lunchtime haven for city office workers -crowns a low hill a few minutes' walk east of Queen Street.

Students from the nearby University of Auckland relax on the lawns, and mothers bring children here to play. Beneath towering trees, a statue of Queen Victoria keeps a watchful eye on the park's fountain, flower beds, and floral clock. On summer Sundays, you can enjoy afternoon band concerts here.

Supreme Court. One of Auckland's first public buildings, this fine example of Gothic revival architecture was built in 1868 at the comer of Waterloo Quadrant and Anzac Avenue. Modeled after England's Warwick Castle, the turreted building is ornamented with stone gargoyles and likenesses of historic figures. Public galleries in the courtrooms are usually open to visitors.

Strolling along the waterfront

Wide and busy Quay Street skirts the downtown waterfront. Just steps from the shopping district, you can observe ocean-going ships maneuvering in and out o