Britomart is the central transportation hub in Auckland New Zealand for both buses and Auckland trains. Ideally situated, it is across the street from the main ferry terminal and at the bottom of Queen Street. Living in the suburbs, I was surprised to discover that Auckland has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. And, it’s a growing one. The city is currently expanding the light rail, and it sometimes feels like there is construction everywhere we turn in the central business district (CBD).
Britomart itself is under a lot of construction, which is visually disappointing. The good news is that Auckland trains are still running. However, visitors arriving the city on a bus, ferry, or cruise ship are no longer greeted by the regal Edwardian architecture of the Old Post office building that became the Britomart Auckland trains transportation hub. However, the construction won’t last forever, and the building will be restored to all of her glory.
Old and new portions of Britomart
Situated at the base of Queen Street, it was a gorgeous place to do photo shoots before it began construction. Here is what you are temporarily missing:
It hasn’t changed much over the years, and hopefully when the construction finishes it will still appear the same.
The entire building is an eclectic mix of old versus new, modern with hints of both the classical and the elements. Complementing and contrasting at the same time, the east side of Britomart is another world, a modern, innovative construction of glass and steel.
Behind Britomart
Auckland Trains
There are four train tracks at Britomart. LED signage in multiple languages makes it easy to know which Auckland train to board.
Trees – A Three-Part Art Exhibit by Michael Parekowhai
With all this glass on the outside, when you previously entered from Commerce street (backside), the building was light, airy, and filled with glass and metal. It is by design that the artwork blends into the environment of the station. Prior to construction, there was an exciting art exhibit in Britomart, a forest of stainless steel trees created in 2004 by New Zealand sculptor Michael Parekowhai. It represents nature lost in the name of progress.
From the east entrance, the trees stood to both sides, blending in, so they are difficult to photograph:
These stainless steel trees were only one-third of “Trees.” Walking through the pedestrian subway that crosses under Queen Street, we find this lightbox photo, the second portion of Trees by Michael Parekowhai:
Once outside and across the street in Queen Elizabeth II Square, we could see the final portion of Michael Parekowhai artwork; 18 living kauri trees, thus reminding us of the nature we have lost. Unfortunately, this area is now too under construction.
Practical Information and Tips on Transport in Auckland
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- Britomart is at the base of Queen Street, Auckland’s main thoroughfare.
- Auckland’s free online journey planner makes it easy to get where you need to go on the bus, trains, or ferry: AT Journey Planner.
- My preferred way to get to Auckland is via ferry. It’s a beautiful ride with plenty of photo opportunities.
- We discovered the steel trees on a walking tour of public artworks along the Waterfront and Britomart area. The Trees exhibit may no longer be available to view, but free city art tours are an annual feature of Auckland Art Week that takes place in October. Heart of the City sponsored the tours.
- If you a visiting Auckland and prefer commentary to just a bus ride, be sure to check out the Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.
⇒ Check prices and get your ticket for the Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Planning tips for Auckland
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First-time visitors start here: New Zealand travel guide or with our favourite New Zealand road trips.
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Accommodations: We typically stay in 4-star accommodations. We live in Auckland and recommend either Hotel DeBrett or SkyCity Grand Hotel (if you’re on a tight budget, check out the backpacker options on Booking.com)
Activity Discounts: We use Bookme.co.nz to find discounts on entry tickets and tours in New Zealand.
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Do you take the Auckland Trains, or public transportation in your own town? Do you prefer the old or new architecture of Britomart?
More from Auckland you might like:
Steinlager 2 – Onboard Sir Peter Blake’s New Zealand Winning Yacht
Corinne
Rhonda, I do think I would notice some steel trees! I hope so. I love the architectural feel of these photos…gorgeous.
Rhonda Albom
You have to come back to New Zealand someday so we can meet. I’ll take you to all these cool places.
Maria from Nerd Nomads
These steel trees are so cool! I can`t believe they are up to 23 metres high, wow! I love street art, and these art works look like they blend in perfectly with the rest of the architecture. That stained glass dome is beautiful!
Rhonda Albom
They run from the lower level up to the ceiling, and being a transport building, all the levels have tall ceilings.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda .. what an interesting tour to take – we have masses of tours in London – but I’ve never taken them .. and I think I’d have known the trees were there .. so gone to see them for that reason. But what a great idea – and interesting to look at and reflect on – I’m not sure about them .. but I guess they bring a reminder that under that concrete, glass and steel lived a world long lost now ..
Cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
I agree, the tour was amazing. We take tours all around the world, but hadn’t bothered to take them her in Auckland before. I think this is the start of something new and amazing for us.
Sarah
OK MIND BLOWN! I lived in Auckland for several years and always thought this patch of trees was in a silly and somewhat inconvenient place. Yet every time I walked past them I was either headed for coffee or the mall and had my head down focused on where I was going and not what was around me! Definitely did not notice they were not real, simply questioned their positioning. Next time I am there I will go out of my way to look at them properly!
Rhonda Albom
The trees outside are real. They are planted as part of the art exhibit. The living part. The trees inside (at the other end of Britomart) are stainless steel.
[email protected]
You mean to tell me those trees are made of steel? I definitely would not have noticed.
Adelina // Pack Me To
I probably wouldn’t have noticed those metal trees. At the eye level they just look like any other pole and I feel like I would probably just gaze past them. Funny how easy it is to just miss stuff around you though.
Michelle
No, I would not have noticed the steel trees.
We don’t have art walks in our small town.
When we lived in Florida we loved going to the museum to make art projects.
We also enjoy going to museums, haven’t been in years, to enjoy the art of others.
Sherry Ellis
I probably would not have noticed the stainless steel trees if someone had not pointed them out. Very interesting!
Joanna Jenkins
I’d like to think I’m observant but I’m pretty sure I’d have missed those threes if you hadn’t pointed them out. But I would have spotted the stained glass for sure!
Happy Sundays In My City,
jj
Comedy Plus
I might have noticed the trees, but probably not. I’m not very artsy. Way cool place though.
There isn’t much to see here. Run down, gang infested place now. This area used to be such a nice place to live. Not so much anymore.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
How sad, the run down gang infested neighborhood. I hope you are safe. At least you have a boat for weekend escapes.
stevebethere
That was interesting Rhonda, I like the building all very modern and those trees fascinating.
The old General post Office building is typical of buildings in London as you probably know 🙂
Have a tanfastic day 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe
How neat! I love the texture on the trunks of the trees.
Eli
Wow. That is some scenery… Tend to prefer the real trees to the steel ones… but quite impressive…
Rhonda Albom
I would like to think that most people would prefer the real trees, but the stainless steel ones (and the light box) are pretty cool.
Vidya Sury
How exquisite, Rhonda! I think I may have noticed, I tend to look around and photograph things all the time. This is very beautiful.
In our city, as in most cities in India now, there’s a drive on to paint all the public walls along the sidewalk and yes, so most areas have some beautiful murals that are a pleasure to look at. 🙂
Joyce
This looks like a beautiful building.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
That is really unique. I hope I would notice the trees, but maybe not.
Rhonda Albom
I know I wouldn’t have noticed them if they were not pointed out to me. The tour was so interesting. More to come.