Abstract’s guide to the City Rail Link

Karanga-a-Hape Station has two entry/exit points, Beresford Square and Mercury Lane, and it’s Mercury Lane that’s the closest to Abstract. All you need to do is leave the front doors of the hotel and head over the road to Cross St, directly opposite the hotel. It’s then just a four-minute walk along Cross St to the station — though you may want to call into Miller’s for a delicious pick-me-up coffee as you cruise past.

Before you head inside the station, look up and observe the three incredible ‘Atua panels’ that line the exterior. Designed by Māori artist Reuben Kirkwood and architect Jessica Beagelman, these epic 9m-high concrete moulded panels weigh in at more than 11 tonnes each, and depict the concepts of Ira Atua (spiritual realm) and Ira Tangata (mortal realm).

If you’re curious about the name of the station, it derives from a traditional Māori legend about a tohunga (expert/priest) called Hape, who was left behind by his people in Hawaiki when he was denied passage across the ocean in his waka (canoe). Hape then performed a sacred karakia (prayer) and was carried across the ocean on the back of a giant stingray. Directly translated, the name means ‘The Call of Hape’.

On to the practicalities: paying for your fare is as simple as ‘tapping on’ at the barrier. You can do this using the easiest method for you, whether that’s an Auckland Transport AT HOP card if you have one, a credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and more), or the digital wallet on your phone. Don’t forget to ‘tap off’ again using the same method when you exit. As a price guide, a short urban fare, for example from Karanga-a-Hape station to Sylvia Park shopping centre, will cost $4.90 one way.

Once you’re in the station, step onto the escalator — New Zealand’s longest at 33m — and descend 10 storeys down to the station platform. The trains will come through the station every 4–5 minutes during peak travel times (7–9am and 4–7pm) and every 10–15 minutes during the rest of the day.

Only one stop from Karanga-a-Hape, popping out at Te Waihorotiu Station will set you among some excellent entertainment venues such as the elegant and opulent Civic, one of the last remaining 'atmospheric' theatres in Southern Hemisphere, which hosts major touring musicals, ballet, live music and more. Also nearby is Aotea Centre, a performing arts and convention centre that hosts everything from comedy shows to conferences in its spaces and auditoriums.

A short walk along Wellesley Street will lead you to Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, where some of the most important works from Aotearoa and the Pacific hang alongside impressive pieces from across the globe. The building itself first opened in 1888, but is now a mix of modern and heritage styles that blend the past, present and future together.

The largest in Auckland’s rail network, Waitematā Station is a heritage building that was originally built as Auckland’s Chief Post Office. Nowadays it’s a major transport hub that brings you straight into the downtown area of the CBD. Right across the road is Commercial Bay, full of boutiques and brilliant places to eat and drink, from restaurants and bars with prime waterfront views to a bustling food court featuring every type of cuisine your crew could desire.

If you want to get a little closer to the sea itself, you can wander along to Viaduct Harbour where yachts bob around beside other great eateries such as the seafood star Soul Bar & Bistro or Italian restaurant Bivacco. Perhaps you’d like to take to the seas yourself, in which case head to the Downtown Ferry Terminal for a 10-minute trip to the North Shore village of Devonport or a 40-minute crossing to stunning Waiheke Island.

Journey in the opposite direction to the city and you’re one stop away from Maungawhau Station, which will leave you not far from the famous Maungawhau / Mt Eden volcanic cone. At 196m high it’s the tallest of Auckland’s 48 volcanic cones and offers fabulous 360-degree views of the city from the summit. It’s a moderate walk to the top on sealed paths and boardwalks, and feels like a green oasis in the heart of a busy city. At sunset you’ll see a mix of tourists taking selfies with a magic backdrop and locals out and about for an evening stroll.

Further down the road is the quaint Mt Eden Village with a collection of charming cafes and an excellent bookshop to boot.

Shoppers may like to ride the train a little further to either Newmarket or Sylvia Park stations, each of which is embedded in large shopping precincts. Newmarket has both luxury international brands and high-street chains housed within the multi-storey Westfield mall, as well as local labels dotted around the lanes that surround it. Sylvia Park shopping centre is New Zealand’s largest covered mall with global retailers like Sephora and Zara as well as many other home, fashion and gift stores.

Of course, this is just a small selection of ‘hop off’ points. There are many other interesting destinations to discover as the train chugs its way into the eastern, western and southern suburbs of the city. Speak to our Abstract Ambassador Gabriel about what you’d love to see and he can help create an itinerary customised just for you. Happy travels!