Queen Street — Attraction in Waitematā

Queen Street is Auckland’s major commercial thoroughfare in the Central Business District (CBD).  • It runs roughly from the waterfront (Quay Street, near Britomart / Commercial Bay) in the north, up toward Karangahape Road (“K Road”) in the south.  • Length is about 1.7 km (or around 3 km depending on how limits are defined) depending on endpoints. 

⸻

What’s There / What to Do

Queen Street is pretty multi-faceted: • Shopping: Lots of retail stores, ranging from big-name international brands, New Zealand brands, luxury stores near the waterfront end, to more affordable / mid‐range shops.  • Historic Buildings & Architecture: There are heritage façades and older buildings mixed in with modern ones. For example, the Auckland Savings Bank Building (built 1884) is on Queen Street.  • Food & Cafés: Many cafés, restaurants, bars. Also in laneways and side streets off Queen Street.  • Entertainment & Culture: The Civic Theatre is on Queen Street. Also, Aotea Square, the Auckland Town Hall, various cinemas, comedy venues etc.  • Laneways & Hidden Spots: If you explore side streets (lanes), you’ll find more boutique shops, small cafés etc. Vulcan Lane, Imperial Lane, Durham Lane are a few. 

⸻

Recent / Planned Changes • There are efforts to make Queen Street more pedestrian‐friendly: wider footpaths, more emphasis on public transport, improvements for air quality, maybe restrictions on heavy traffic, etc.  • It’s part of discussions for low-emissions zones, transit improvements, better public space. 

⸻

Things to Note (Pros & Cons)

Pros: • Very central: easy to access from many parts of the city, close to waterfront attractions, Britomart, ferry terminal etc.  • Variety: good mix of shopping + history + places to eat + culture.  • Good for walking and people-watching. Laneways provide more interesting “hidden gem” atmosphere. 

Potential Drawbacks: • Traffic / congestion in some parts. With so many people, shops, and transport, it can be busy.  • Some parts are more commercial or touristy, so maybe less “local flavour.” • Because it’s a major street, sometimes noise, pollution, and over-crowding...

I've been in Auckland twice,2002 and 2018,a long alfway,and two more transit,the last time in 2024 November,to&from Tonga; the city is so much better,it's beautiful;and everything perfect!. I share some pictures of these years,it's even seen in cars,of Auckland Downtown; almost vintage. Are photos on photos, not cellphone,, very sorry. More of NZ in Google Maps: Auckland Waterfront and Sky Tower (2002-2018). Christchurch, Akaroa, Picton, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait, Wellington (2002). Picton, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait,Abel Tasman Nat'l Park, Wellington (2005). Chatham Islands, Wellington, Picton, Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait (2007). And Cook Islands (Raro& Aitutaki 2011),and Niue...

According to my husband, Queen Street used to be the most beautiful street way back to 1980s.

Unfortunately, Queen Street has become very noisy and untidy. Road work has been started since May 2023 until now. Whenever we drive past Queen Street, we had to suffer from traffic congestion due to consistent and continuous road work.

Even on Sundays, construction workers have to work so hard on Queen Street that they could only have their lunch on the pedestrian area next to the road work.

Please be aware of serious traffic congestion and detour due to the nonstop...