Auckland Town Hall

The basics

You can’t miss Auckland Town Hall, located right on Queen Street, and almost all sightseeing tours and shore excursions make a stop here. Join a guided tour of the Town Hall to fully appreciate its architectural details, which include original 20th-century kauri floors, decorative plasterwork, and chandeliers.

Alternatively, attend a concert and experience the renowned acoustics for yourself. You might even get to hear the Town Hall’s famous organ in action. This legendary instrument is the largest in New Zealand and features 5,000 pipes and two unique Maori stops.

Things to know before you go

• There’s a bar serving drinks and snacks at the venue during events, but you’ll also find plenty of options for dining along Queen Street.

• Tours and tickets can be purchased from the Box Office by the main entrance. Advance bookings are essential, and popular events can sell out weeks or even months in advance.

• Auckland Town Hall is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, but guided tours require good mobility as you’ll be going up and down the stairs.

How to get there

The Town Hall is located near Aotea Square on Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD, and it’s easily reached on foot from many of the city’s attractions. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Sky Tower or about a 20-minute walk from Viaduct Harbour. If you don’t want to walk, there’s parking nearby at the Civic Center on Wellesley Street, and several buses also stop there.

When to get there

Auckland Town Hall hosts regular evening performances in its two concert halls, as well as guided tours throughout the year—check their website for upcoming events. Of course, you can admire the landmark from the outside at any time, and it’s worth swinging by after dark when the colonnaded facade is dramatically illuminated.

Auckland Town Hall for music lovers

With two legendary music venues to choose from—the 1,529-seat Great Hall and the intimate 431-seat Concert Chamber—Auckland Town Hall gives music lovers plenty of options. Enjoy cabaret or children’s theater at the Concert Chamber, or head to the Great Hall to watch a performance by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Auckland Choral, or New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. It’s not just a classical venue, either—The Who, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles have all played here.