Auckland Ferry Terminal

The Basics

There’s a certain magnetism in simply passing some time at the Ferry Terminal. Visitors can listen to the song of seagulls while people-watching, or experience the buzz of activity in the shops, cafés, and restaurants on the lower level, with Viaduct Harbour and Queen Street both a short walk away. It’s also the spot to catch a ferry to Devonport in Waitemata Harbour, or to Rangitoto Island or Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Access the Ferry Terminal building from the Auckland waterfront or from Quay Street.

• It’s a 12-minute ferry ride to the charming seaside town of Devonport and a 40-minute ride to Waiheke Island.

• Most eateries serve fresh seafood, including oyster bars and Asian fusion restaurants.

How to Get There

The Ferry Building is located at 99 Quay Street, just steps from Viaduct Harbour in Auckland’s central business district. The terminal lies at the northern end of the commercial thoroughfare of Queen Street, with convenient access to local buses and trains departing from the Britomart Transport Centre across the street.

When to Get There

The building is the historic hub of transportation for boating your way around Auckland. Ferries depart daily for Bayswater Wharf, Beach Haven Wharf, Half Moon Bay Marina, Devonport, and the islands of Rangitoto and Waiheke, and Monday–Friday for Stanley Bay Wharf. Check the ferry schedules for travel to Motuihe and Motutapu islands, which have less frequent service.

Auckland for Architectural History Buffs

Compared to the modern skyscrapers that surround it, Auckland’s Ferry Terminal Building—recognized by Heritage New Zealand—is a architectural throwback constructed of sandstone and granite. While today a newer structure faces the wharves, it is the restored baroque-style Terminal Ferry Building, facing urban Queen Street, that forms the historic soul of Auckland’s modern port.