City of Sails - Part 2: Viaduct Harbour and Princes Wharf

A couple weeks ago we treated E to an exciting bus trip to Auckland. This being his second bus trip, E knew better: he did not press the "stop-on-demand" button every time Eric was not looking at him and he refrained from snatching and playing with the emergency-exit hammer.

The reason why we put E on a bus was two-fold: E's favorite song these days is "The Wheels on the Bus..." and we wanted to visit New Zealand National Maritime Museum.

After the boys got off the bus (I had driven to the city), we strolled towards the museum along Viaduct Harbour. During the day Viaduct Harbour is a relaxing place to go for a walk, or sit on the benches positioned along the water’s edge, soaking up the views across Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.





And at night, found on the edge of Auckland’s business district, Viaduct Harbour is one of the most alive places in Auckland. There are many restaurants, bars, hotels, and apartments. It is also the centre of frequent events and art installations with vibrant atmosphere.

















Viaduct Harbour provides apparently premium Marina facilities.





E really wanted to "hop on" one of the fancy boats. Eric and I sadly had to explain to him that "we did not have the key."



We knew exactly how he felt...



Before we visisted the museum, we caught a glimpse of an air show.



The exhibitions at the museum were not as engaging or child-friendly as the ones in South Australian Maritime Museum in Port Adelide which we had visited a few months ago. Still E seemed to have fun.















We left the museum late in the afternoon and had an early dinner nearby.



We then walked to Princes Wharf. It was opened in 1924 and now contains the renovated Overseas Passenger Terminal, a Hilton hotel, restaurants as well as apartments, offices and a parking building.



A little further east along Quay Street there is Auckland Ferry Terminal, also sometimes called the Downtown Ferry Terminal. It is the hub of the Auckland ferry network which connects Auckland City with the wider Auckland area. It was completed in 1912 and then extensively restored between 1986 and 1988.









E enjoyed watching ferry boats come and go.



And he loved his chocolate gelato.



After dessert and enjoyable afternoon we headed back home.