Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the centre of the campus is a wall of the Albert Barracks (1847), a fortification that
enclosed 9 hectares, including Albert Park, during the New Zealand Wars.
Sky Tower
MAP
LANDMARK
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.skycityauckland.co.nz
;
cnr Federal & Victoria Sts; adult/child $28/11; 8.30am-10.30pm)
The
impossible-to-miss Sky Tower looks like a giant hypodermic giving a fix to the heavens.
Spectacular lighting renders it space-age at night and the colours change for special
events. At 328m it is the southern hemisphere's tallest structure. A lift takes you up to the
observation decks in 40 stomach-lurching seconds; look down through the glass floor pan-
els if you're after an extra kick. Visit at sunset and have a drink in the Sky Lounge Cafe &
Bar.
The Sky Tower is also home to the SkyWalk (
Click here
)
and SkyJump (
Click here
)
.
Civic Theatre
MAP
ARCHITECTURE
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.civictheatre.co.nz
;
cnr Queen & Wellesley Sts)
The 'mighty Civic' (1929) is one of seven 'atmo-
spheric theatres' remaining in the world and a fine survivor from cinema's Golden Age.
The auditorium has lavish Moorish decoration, and the starlit southern-hemisphere sky in
the ceiling (complete with cloud projections) gives the illusion of being under a night sky.
It's mainly used for touring musicals, international concerts and film-festival screenings.
Even if nothing is scheduled, try and sneak a peek at the foyer, an Indian indulgence
with elephants and monkeys hanging from every conceivable fixture. Buddhas were
planned to decorate the street frontage but were considered too risqué at the time - they
chose neoclassical naked boys instead!
St Patrick's Cathedral
(
www.stpatricks.org.nz
; 43 Wyndham St; 7am-7pm)
Auckland's Catholic cathedral (1907) is one of
the city's loveliest buildings. Polished wood and Belgian stained glass lend warmth to the
interior of the majestic Gothic Revival church. There's a historical display in the old con-
fessional on the left-hand side.
CHURCH
