Karangahape Road to Queens Wharf Art Path runs 4 km one way from 445 Karangahape Road in Newton, through Myers Park and Aotea Square, down to the old lighthouse on Queens Wharf. It takes about an hour and ten minutes at an easy pace, passing six public art stops on flat paved streets, with dogs welcome on a leash.
Quick facts
Getting to 445 Karangahape Road by bus or train
Plenty of buses run along Karangahape Road and will drop you close to the start at 445 Karangahape Road in Newton. The City Rail Link also stops here now, with the new underground Karanga-a-Hape Station giving entrances at Mercury Lane, just off K Road, and at Beresford Square off Pitt Street. Driving in, it is about four minutes south of the Auckland CBD. Once you reach Queens Wharf at the end, the Auckland Sightseeing Bus Tour, 90 min Double Decker Discovery is a relaxed way to see more of the CBD and waterfront from the top deck before you head home. This walk is part of our wider Auckland Central walks collection.
Street art along Karangahape Road
Starting at 445 Karangahape Road, the walk opens with Janet Lilo’s Don’t Dream It’s Over, three tall neon pieces that trace the history and culture of the local community. They are especially good at night when they are lit up, and the dates on the piece run from 1964 to 66 right through to 2017.
From here the route detours towards Beresford Square for two more pieces, Twist by Tanja McMillan and Thief by John Oz. The council was digging up the road when I walked it, so I never got a clean photo of either, worth checking they are back on show before you go looking for them.
The path carries on through St Kevin’s Arcade, a good spot to grab a coffee before heading down the stairs into Myers Park.
Myers Park has a wide sealed path running through the middle and a decent playground for kids about halfway along. At the far end, take the stairs on the left back up to street level, cross the road and walk straight ahead to Aotea Square.
Queen Street to the waterfront and the old lighthouse
In Aotea Square, Selwyn Muru’s Te Waharoa o Aotea stands as the gateway artwork, its carved symbols representing the sea, sky and land. A new underground Te Waihorotiu Station has also opened right by the square, with entrances on Wellesley Street West and Victoria Street West, handy if you want to cut the walk short at this point.
Lisa Reihana’s Justice is just around the corner in Freyberg Place, on the O’Connell Street side of the Ellen Melville Centre. It commemorates women’s advocate Ellen Melville, who had a 37 year legal career and was one of the country’s first female lawyers.
From here, cross over and head down Queen Street. The stretch between Wellesley and Wakefield Streets is currently kept to authorised vehicles only during the day as part of an ongoing council trial, so check the current rules if driving affects your plans, though on foot it makes for an easy, largely car free stretch. If you fancy a detour, turn right up Victoria Street West for the Sky Tower. We’ve sourced cheapest, discounted tickets to the top of the Sky Tower here, and you’ll skip the queue if you buy ahead.
Back on track, take the first right then first left into Lorne Street and enjoy the shops as you wander down. Take the first right then left again and wind through the alleyways until you pop back out on Queen Street.
Near the corner of Swanson Street, at 80 Queen Street, look for Fred Graham’s Kaitiaki II and Te Waka Taumata o Horotiu, the resting waka. They mark the original foreshore and the waka landing site used by Ngati Paoa before this part of the city was reclaimed.
Keep heading down Queen Street to Queens Wharf and Michael Parekowhai’s The Lighthouse, a full sized 1950s New Zealand family home fitted out with light and sculpture installations. You can look inside from the outside and climb the exterior staircase for a closer look. It’s lit up at night just like a real lighthouse, and I’d time your walk to arrive here for sunset. If you’re catching the train back, Britomart Station right by the wharf was renamed Waitemata Station, so look for the new name on the signs.
Good for families, prams and photographers
This is a flat, paved route the whole way, so it suits prams, wheelchairs and anyone who would rather look at art than climb hills. Bikes are fine on the footpaths and streets too. It’s an easy one for visitors who want a taste of the city without a full day out, and good for photographers chasing neon at night or the sunset at the wharf.
Best time of day: sunset at Queens Wharf
Aim to finish at Queens Wharf close to sunset, when The Lighthouse is lit up and the harbour behind it turns orange. Early morning or a quiet weekday evening also keeps Queen Street emptier for photos, and after dark is when Don’t Dream It’s Over looks best back at the Karangahape Road end. If you want to keep the evening going once you’ve finished, the Auckland Harbour Sailing Dinner Cruise with a 3 course Meal is a relaxed way to stay out on the water after the sun’s gone down.
Dogs, toilets and the Queen Street vehicle rules
Dogs are welcome on a leash the whole way. Auckland Council requires dogs to be kept on a leash in council controlled public places, and that covers the streets as well as Queens Wharf itself. There are several toilets along the route, and mobile coverage is good throughout. As above, the stretch of Queen Street between Wellesley and Wakefield Streets is kept to authorised vehicles only during the day under an ongoing trial, so check the current rules if that affects you.
My honest take
I did this walk in just over an hour, though I took my time stopping for photos at every artwork. The street art is the real draw, not the walking itself, the city streets are flat and easy, so you can focus on looking up at buildings and down at the waterfront. My favourite part was arriving at Queens Wharf as the sun was going down, with The Lighthouse lit up against the harbour.
If you want to make more of the evening once you’ve finished, the Evening Harbour Cruises, Sunset or Nightlights Cruise lets you watch that same sunset from out on the water. The Harbour Sailing Cruise, Explore Group is another solid option if you’d rather stay out longer on the harbour. Or if you fancy staying active after a flat city walk, a 1 Hour Double Kayak Hire, Auckland Sea Kayaks is an easy way to get out on the water straight from the waterfront.
Common questions
Where does the Karangahape Road to Queens Wharf Art Path start and finish?
It starts at 445 Karangahape Road in Newton and finishes at Queens Wharf, by the old lighthouse.
Is there a train station near the start or partway along?
Yes. The City Rail Link’s new Karanga-a-Hape Station is right at the start, with entrances at Mercury Lane off K Road and Beresford Square off Pitt Street. Partway along, Te Waihorotiu Station has opened near Aotea Square too, with entrances on Wellesley Street West and Victoria Street West.
Is there parking at Queens Wharf?
No, there’s no public parking right on Queens Wharf. Use one of the nearby public car parks, such as the Downtown Car Park, if you’re driving to the finish.
Are dogs allowed on this walk?
Yes, on a leash. Auckland Council requires dogs on a leash in council controlled public places, which covers the streets and Queens Wharf on this route.
What train station do I use to get home from Queens Wharf?
Waitemata Station, right by the wharf. It was renamed from Britomart Station, so look for the new name on signs and apps.
Other walks near Auckland CBD
For more walking in the city, try Karangahape Road Parks or the Auckland Art Gallery Loop Walk, both an easy add on if you’ve got energy left. Head back to the Auckland Central walks hub for more options around the city.
