I had the morning to myself, so decided to explore Albert Park and the Art Gallery.
We discovered Albert Park and the Art Gallery on our first visit to Auckland in the 1990s. Since then I have always made it a point to visit whenever I am in Auckland.
Albert Park occupies much of the site of the Albert Barracks, one of Auckland’s early European military fortifications. Previously, it was the site of Te Horotiu pa. A portion of this wall remains visible in the adjacent University of Auckland grounds.
The Park (laid out in the 1880s) originally had commanding views over the city and harbour. The view now is of modern office blocks, except where mature trees have hidden the buildings. The Park contains a number of interesting specimen trees dating from the 1880s to the first World War. A caretaker’s residence (Albert Park House), a Gothic style cottage, was provided which still stands on the eastern side of the part adjacent to Princes Street.
The park contains a few sculptures, a fountain and a bandstand. There are World War II air raid shelters underneath the park. These are no longer open.
I also visited the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Although the collection is small, the building itself is magnificent.
The main gallery building (completed 1887) originally included the City Council offices, lecture theatre and public library. It is an early French Renaissance style, constructed of brick and plaster. A major expansion opened in 2011. The extension won the World Architecture Festival’s 2013 World Building of the Year.
