Hotels in Auckland Central Business District

Exploring Auckland Central Business District (CBD)

New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, is well on its way to establishing itself as a major player among the region’s major cities. Auckland’s CBD, or Central City as it is sometimes called, offers visitors a mix of colonial architectural gems and striking 21st century skyscrapers, cutting-edge eateries offering fine fusion cuisine and trendy nightclubs.

Sights nearby

A handful of attractions, the harbour zone, several parks, and a good selection of hotels such as the Skycity Grand Hotel and the Stamford Plaza Auckland are all easily accessible from Auckland’s CBD.

- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki

Situated right on the corner of Albert Park, at the junction of Wellesley Street and Kitchener Street, the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is a must-visit for art lovers. With a collection of about 15,000 pieces of art dating all the way back to the 12th century, the gallery houses New Zealand’s most extensive collection of national and international art. It is divided between two buildings, the recently restored Main Gallery and the NEW Gallery. Auckland Art Gallery is open daily and entrance is free.

- New Zealand National Maritime Museum

Known as the Voyager Maritime Museum, this fascinating national museum is located on the corner of Quay Street and Hobson Street, at the mouth of Viaduct Harbour. Its exhibits are a testament to New Zealand's maritime history and the way in which the sea has come to shape the nation’s identity, from the awe-inspiring migrations that brought the first Polynesian seafarers here to the era of European exploration and settlement.

- Aotea Square

A large paved public area at the heart of the CBD, Aotea Square is often used for public events, including fairs, protest rallies, music festivals, rock concerts, and the annual new year celebrations. The square, which underwent extensive redevelopment in 2010, is home to a number of works of art. It takes its name from Motu Aotea, the Maori name for Great Barrier Island. Around the square are several notable buildings, including the Edwardian-era Auckland Town Hall (widely held to be among the world’s best venues on account of its acoustics), which is located at the Queen Street entrance to the square. It contains the largest musical instrument in New Zealand, the Town Hall organ. On the western side of the square, you will find Auckland’s main conference and theatre venue, the Aotea Centre. To the north of the square, there’s a cinema/theatre complex that houses the Civic Theatre.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Downtown Auckland has plenty of options when it comes to eating and drinking. There’s lots of international cuisine, ranging from European to Asian, as well as delicious fusion food, fantastic seafood, and top-notch grills serving up some of the best home-grown meat on the planet. Cafés abound in the CBD and you won’t want to pass up the chance to try the Kiwi invention that’s the flat white. As far as shopping is concerned, check out the area encompassed by High Street, Vulcan Lane, and O’Connell Street, or the Britomart shopping complex to catch the very latest in New Zealand designer fashion.

Public transport

The partly pedestrianised Queen Street lies at the heart of the CBD. Much of this densely populated zone can be covered on foot. In any case, Auckland’s CBD is adequately served by bus services. Look out for the red city LINK buses operated by Maxx Auckland Transport with six stops in the CBD or the City Circuit bus line. Buses run every five to 15 minutes. For travel beyond the CBD, you can catch buses and suburban trains at the Britomart Transport Centre, while ferries are available at the Auckland Ferry Terminal.