Sunday Walk: Central city's hidden gems

Behind the boulder archway lies the entrance to 3.5km of tunnels. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Pistol fights in Shortland St, public hangings in Queen St and air raid shelters under Albert Park are all part of Auckland's rich history, yet most of us have little idea of Auckland's past. Guided tours are something we do on holiday, but what about taking one in your home town? You'll discover places you didn't even know existed.

Aucklander David Hill has run Auckland Walks for the past six years, surprising locals with the city's stories. The Auckland we know today is a total transformation of the landscape the British first encountered in 1840. The flat area of the city centre from the ferry terminal up to Fort St was under water as recently as 1870.

The Occidental Hotel, on a tower of Pisa-type lean on Vulcan Lane because of rickety foundations, was once the site of a blacksmith, producing ironwork for ships. A hundred and fifty years ago the lane experienced a murky period fuelled by drunks, gambling and prostitutes, gaining the nickname Vulture's Lane.

Just a little further up Queen St, we reach the intersection where Whitcoulls stands. An innocuous crossroads, you might think, but it has a gruesome past: New Zealand's first public hanging took place here on March 8, 1842. Hangings were moved behind closed doors in 1862.

Perturbed, we head uphill to Albert Park. Behind the tall boulder archway lies a concealed entrance to 3.5km of tunnels, built as air-raid shelters but filled in when World War II ended.

Auckland's CBD doesn't get much love from locals but after a two hour guided walk, the streets come alive. There are hidden gems, buildings to look at with new eyes and I now know what lies beneath.

Auckland trivia

* A pistol fight took place outside the Northern Club on Shortland St in 1845

* Britomart is named after naval ship HMS Britomart

* 74 Shortland St, now the Gus Fisher Gallery, housed the first licensed radio station in New Zealand.

* Aotea Square was once a swamp

* A stream runs under Queen St to the harbour

Auckland city heritage walks take place daily at 10am, departing from the harbour information centre at the ferry building. The tour lasts approximately two hours and costs $30 per person.

It also runs maritime history walks and art of the city walks on the first and second Saturdays of the month respectively. For more information, visit www.aucklandwalks.co.nz or call 0800 300 100.

Parnell Trust runs heritage walks most weekends from September to April. It offers a range of tours through Parnell, Newmarket, Epsom or Grafton. $5 for adults (children free), bookings can be made by calling 09 379 2095. Tour details can be found by visiting www.parnell.org.nz.