Enjoy this easy short day walk in Auckland through the main city centre down to the waterfront
This easy walk is a 4 km one-way art path that takes you through Auckland CBD and showcases several art installations along the way, it took me 1 hour and 10mins to complete taking plenty of photos along the way.
There are plenty of buses that will drop you a K Rd. Starting at 445 Karangahape Road in Newton, and ending at Queens Wharf at the old lighthouse.
Why not take a detour to the Sky Tower on your walk
As you walk down Queen Street, you can take a little detour off to the right up Victoria St West to the awesome Sky Tower. We’ve sourced the cheapest, discounted tickets to the top of the Sky Tower here, saving over 20% on the ticket price. You’ll skip the queue as well if you buy your ticket beforehand.
I recorded my walk on this 3d video:
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Auckland CBD, North Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 1.10 hour walk
- Distance: 4 km
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Bikes allowed: Yes
- Route: One Way
- Elevation: 40m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: There are several toilets along the walk.
- Dogs: Yes, on leash
- Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
- Last Updated: June, 2021
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Summary points about this walk
Points of interest along the walk
Point 1: Don’t Dream it’s Over, Janet Lilo, 2017
Starting at 445 Karangahape Road in Newton, you will see Janet Lilo’s “Don’t Dream it’s Over.” These are 3 tall neon pieces representing the history and culture of the community, these are especially nice at night. The first of these art installations date from 1964-66 while the most recent ones are from 2017.
Point 2: Twist and Thief, Tanja McMillan and John Oz, 2015
The walk detours towards Beresford Square for the next two artworks, “Twist” and “Thief” by Tanja McMillan and John Oz respectively. At the time I did this walk the council was digging up the road and I couldn’t get a photo of these artworks.
Following the path through St Kevin’s Arcade and through to Myers Park. Make sure to stop for a coffee before heading down the stairs into Myers Park. The park has a lovely wide sealed walkway through the middle with a great children’s playground in the middle. At the end of the park take a slight left up the stairs to the main road. Cross the road and walk straight ahead to Aotea Square. The next artwork is the gateway to Aotea Square.
Point 3: Te Waharoa O Aotea, Selwyn Muru, 1990
Standing proud in the Aotea Square, Te Waharoa o Aotea is the gateway welcoming visitors with symbols representing the spiritual forces of the sea, sky, and land. It’s pretty impressive.
Point 4: Justice, Lisa Reihana, 2017
You will find this piece in Freyberg Place (O’Connell Street side of Ellen Melville Centre). Justice commemorates women’s advocate Ellen Melville, who had a 37-year legal career and was one of the country’s first female lawyers. Now cross the road and walk down Queen St, take the first right then first left into Lorne St. Walk down Lorne St admiring the interesting shops as you go, take the first right then left and wind your way through the cute alleyways till you get back onto Queen St again.
Point 5: Kaitiaki II, 2009 and Te Waka Taumata o Horotiu (Resting Waka), 2008, Fred Graham
Located near the corner of Swanson Street at 80 Queen Street. These works mark the original foreshore and former waka landing area before this area was reclaimed. They sit on the same site where the Ngāti Pāoa iwi kept canoes.
Point 6: The Lighthouse, Michael Parekowhai, 2017
The Lighthouse is actually a New Zealand family home from the 1950s. Inside the house, there are light and sculpture installations. You can experience these installations from the outside and by climbing the exterior staircase. The Lighthouse is right on the end of the wharf and it is lit up at night, just like a lighthouse.
We recommend timing the walk so that you are at the Wharf in time to enjoy the stunning sunset.
