Ferry Building, Auckland

Striking and elegant, the Auckland Ferry Terminal 鈥� often simply called the Ferry Building 鈥� is a waterfront landmark that connects the city to islands, harbors, and the pulse of Waitemat膩 Harbour. Completed in 1912, this Edwardian Baroque gem was designed by Alex Wiseman with sandstone, brick, and a base of Coromandel granite. Back then, it served not just ferries, but also trade unions, consulate offices, and maritime businesses.

Today, the historic 鈥濷ld Building鈥� facing Queen Street houses caf茅s and shops that invite you to pause and watch ferries glide in and out. Meanwhile, daily ferry operations happen next door in the newer terminal, with modern piers designed to echo sails and waterfront life. A major recent upgrade: in 2021, Auckland Transport invested NZ$42 million to improve the ferry basin and add new berths (including infrastructure for electric ferries), making the waterfront more sustainable and future-friendly.

Did you know? The original Ferry Building was meant to be five storeys tall 鈥� but public outcry over blocked views led to a design reduction. What we see today is a four-storey building with a clock tower, carefully balanced between grandeur and preserving harbour vistas.

Enjoy a coffee inside the Old Building, stroll the waterfront walkway, and soak in the view across the harbour. Ferry rides, shops, and waterfront caf茅s combine to make this more than just a transit hub 鈥� it鈥檚 a spot where the sea meets the city in style.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Auckland. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Ferry Building
Sight Location: Auckland, New Zealand (See walking tours in Auckland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Auckland, New Zealand

Create Your Own Walk in Auckland

Creating your own self-guided walk in Auckland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Parnell Introduction Walking Tour

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Auckland Historical Buildings Tour

Auckland, New Zealand may not be known as a historical city, but it does contain some historical buildings all right. These old structures, dating back to the 19th century, reflect the diverse heritage and architectural evolution of the city and are cherished as landmarks.

The Ferry Building, an iconic waterfront edifice, is a fine example of Edwardian Baroque style. Built in 1912, it once... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

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