Before it was the park that exists today, Albert Park was the site of a Maori village, followed by the Albert Barracks in the mid-19th century. The land was developed into a park in the 1880s. Nowadays, visitors can find paths through groves of native and imported trees, planted flower beds, a fountain, a bandstand, a statue of Queen Victoria and other memorials, the Albert Park House museum, and open views of the Skytower and other CBD buildings.
Many visitors spend time chilling out in the park when touring independently, and it’s also on the itinerary of many walking, cycling, and electric tuk-tuk tours.
Albert Park is just a couple of blocks east of the central thoroughfare Queen Street, so it’s easy to reach on foot from the CBD. Note that some of the streets around here are quite steep, which may not be convenient if you’re traveling with a stroller or have limited mobility. There are bus stops on nearby Wellesley Street, Alfred Street, and Princes Street.
Any time the weather is fine is a great time to head to Albert Park. Pedestrian access through the park is open 24 hours, but solo travelers should avoid walking through at night.
To experience the best of central Auckland’s parks, hop on over to the nearby Auckland Domain after spending time in Albert Park. This is one of Auckland’s largest parks and contains the Auckland War Memorial Museum as well as the lovely Wintergarden greenhouses. The Domain is conveniently close to the trendy Parnell neighborhood, too.
