Queen Street, Auckland (must see)
Queen Street is Auckland鈥檚 main artery where business, caf茅s, neon signs, and history all collide in the best way possible. Running from the waterfront near the Ferry Terminal up past midtown toward Karangahape Road, it鈥檚 roughly 3 km of hustle, history, and heart. Named after Queen Victoria when it was surveyed in 1841, Queen Street rose quickly from muddy beginnings 鈥� yes, early planners had to gravel over swamps just so building foundations wouldn鈥檛 sink.
Fires in 1858 destroyed many buildings on nearby Shortland and High Streets, pushing merchants and architects to focus their energies on Queen instead. Brick and plaster buildings sprang up in the 1860s; in 1902 Queen Street achieved two 鈥瀎irsts鈥� for New Zealand: it was the first road to be asphalted, and the first to run electric trams. (Horse-drawn buses had been rumbling along since the 1880s.) These days, the trams are gone, but their legacy lingers in the streetlamps, fa莽ades, and grand old buildings that still stand.
Fast forward to now: Queen Street is in the middle of a transformation. The Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project, completed in November 2023, has stripped away general traffic from large stretches and replaced it with widened footpaths, native plant planters, green seating areas, and safer spaces for walking, biking, or scootering.
New retail and hospitality developments are popping up too, including a major restoration of the heritage building at 131 Queen Street (formerly Milne & Choyce store) and a flagship Radisson Red hotel + rooftop bar building at 280 Queen Street, planned as one of the latest additions to the city鈥檚 skyline.
Did you know? When electric trams first rolled down Queen Street in 1902, Sir John Logan Campbell drove the leading car, and thousands lined up to watch the spectacle. Horses were still shaking their heads.
Stroll up Queen Street amid shops and heritage fa莽ades, stop in leafy pocket parks, sip coffee overlooking busy laneways, and soak up the energy that comes from a street both historic and ever-changing.
Fires in 1858 destroyed many buildings on nearby Shortland and High Streets, pushing merchants and architects to focus their energies on Queen instead. Brick and plaster buildings sprang up in the 1860s; in 1902 Queen Street achieved two 鈥瀎irsts鈥� for New Zealand: it was the first road to be asphalted, and the first to run electric trams. (Horse-drawn buses had been rumbling along since the 1880s.) These days, the trams are gone, but their legacy lingers in the streetlamps, fa莽ades, and grand old buildings that still stand.
Fast forward to now: Queen Street is in the middle of a transformation. The Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project, completed in November 2023, has stripped away general traffic from large stretches and replaced it with widened footpaths, native plant planters, green seating areas, and safer spaces for walking, biking, or scootering.
New retail and hospitality developments are popping up too, including a major restoration of the heritage building at 131 Queen Street (formerly Milne & Choyce store) and a flagship Radisson Red hotel + rooftop bar building at 280 Queen Street, planned as one of the latest additions to the city鈥檚 skyline.
Did you know? When electric trams first rolled down Queen Street in 1902, Sir John Logan Campbell drove the leading car, and thousands lined up to watch the spectacle. Horses were still shaking their heads.
Stroll up Queen Street amid shops and heritage fa莽ades, stop in leafy pocket parks, sip coffee overlooking busy laneways, and soak up the energy that comes from a street both historic and ever-changing.
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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Queen Street on Map
Sight Name: Queen Street
Sight Location: Auckland, New Zealand (See walking tours in Auckland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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.
Parnell Introduction Walking Tour
Parnell, Auckland鈥檚 oldest suburb, is a charming blend of history, culture, and modern lifestyle. Just minutes from the city center, it is known for its beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings that now house boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes. One of the suburb鈥檚 highlights is Parnell Road, the main street lined with stylish eateries, fashion boutiques, and specialty... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Auckland Introduction Walking Tour
Perched between harbours, volcanoes, and sea lanes, Auckland 鈥� known in M膩ori as T膩maki Makaurau (鈥瀌esired by many鈥�) 鈥� has a story that鈥檚 equal parts ancestral land, colonial ambition, and modern melting pot. Long before European settlers ever arrived, the region鈥檚 volcanic cones and fertile isthmus were home to M膩ori tribes (especially Ng膩ti Wh膩tua and Waiohua). These original... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
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
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
Ponsonby Walking Tour
Ponsonby is one of Auckland鈥檚 most vibrant neighborhoods, known for its lively atmosphere, stylish boutiques, and buzzing caf茅 culture. Just minutes from the city center, this historic suburb blends old-world charm with modern flair, featuring beautifully restored Victorian villas alongside contemporary shops, art galleries, and design studios. It鈥檚 a favorite destination for those seeking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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