Karangahape Road, Historic street in central Auckland, New Zealand.
Karangahape Road stretches about half a mile through central Auckland and features a diverse mix of vintage shops, cafes, bars, art galleries, and cultural venues that attract residents and visitors exploring the city's alternative scene.
The name Karangahape originates from Māori legend involving the mystic Hape who arrived on a stingray, and the ridge served as an important Māori pathway for over 600 years before European settlers developed it into a commercial thoroughfare in the late 19th century.
The street has been a vital hub for the LGBTQ+ community since the 1980s and regularly hosts cultural events, street festivals, and art markets that celebrate local creativity and multicultural influences throughout Auckland.
Visitors can reach Karangahape Road easily using Auckland's public buses and trains, and the compact area is highly walkable, making it convenient to explore the various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues on foot.
Karangahape Road is one of the few streets in Auckland where early 20th-century architecture coexists with contemporary buildings like the internationally recognized Ironbank, creating a distinctive blend of historical and modern urban design along a single corridor.
Location: Auckland Region
Website: http://kroad.com
GPS coordinates: -36.85779,174.75970
Latest update: November 28, 2025 15:19
Auckland sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea on a narrow isthmus marked by roughly 50 extinct volcanic cones. Mount Eden and One Tree Hill rise above the neighborhoods and offer views across the harbor, while Rangitoto stands as the largest volcanic island in the region and can be reached by ferry. The coastline shifts between the sheltered eastern beaches such as Mission Bay and Takapuna Beach and the black sand western shores at Piha and Bethells Beach, where the Pacific meets the Waitakere Ranges directly. The Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland Domain holds Polynesian collections and New Zealand military history, while Auckland Art Gallery displays European and indigenous art. Viaduct Harbour serves as a dining precinct and departure point for harbor cruises, and the New Zealand Maritime Museum documents the country's seafaring past. Karangahape Road gathers alternative shops and nightlife, Ponsonby draws an older crowd with cafés and boutiques. Britomart clusters restaurants and design stores in converted waterfront buildings. Waiheke Island hosts wineries such as Mudbrick Vineyard and Man O' War Vineyards scattered among vineyards and bays, while Tantalus Estate operates in West Auckland. Auckland Botanic Gardens present native plant species across 158 acres, and Auckland Zoo keeps over 1,400 animals. Queen Street runs through the center from the harbor to the University of Auckland, and Sky Tower stands 1,076 feet (328 meters) above the city. This selection covers the main sites for understanding Auckland's geography and range.
Myers Park
290 m
Symonds Street Cemetery
443 m
Mercury Theatre
99 m
Artspace Aotearoa
161 m
Ironbank
86 m
Bianco off Queen
465 m
George Courts
52 m
St Benedict's Church
377 m
Caluzzi Cabaret
408 m
H B Building
72 m
Terrace of Shops
331 m
Espano Flats
94 m
Auckland Girls Grammar School Main Block
499 m
Hopetoun Alpha
196 m
Naval and Family Hotel
88 m
Pitt Street Buildings
48 m
St John Ambulance National Offices
110 m
The White House
361 m
Symonds St Public Conveniences and Former Tram Shelter
375 m
Greys Avenue Flats
428 m
Highgate Towers
461 m
CityZone
361 m
Higher Thought Temple
477 m
Wesleyan Chapel
390 m
Myers Park Historic Area
299 m
Plummer House
393 m
Pitt Centre
337 m
University of Otago House
268 mReviews
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