Viaduct Harbour, formerly known as Viaduct Basin, is a former commercial and fisheries harbour on the Downtown Auckland waterfront that was transformed into modern apartments, commercial spaces, and restaurants. It is in front of Freemans Bay and was particularly shabby until the 1990s. In 1995, Team NZ first won the America’s Cup, and the Viaduct was selected for redevelopment to house the various teams and supporters for the 2000 challenge in Auckland. The old fishing facilities and most of the fishing boats were removed. Facilities suitable for even the largest private boats and yachts were added, surrounded by restaurants and apartments.
As you enter the Viaduct from Quay Street, you will see the big boat challenge in 1988, immediately opposite the Maritime Museum. The museum does a superb job of describing Auckland’s love affair with sailing. Depending on the season, the Viaduct will either be full of visiting boats or relatively empty.
The development of the Viaduct fundamentally changed the Auckland waterfront. For the first time, the city had an attractive mixed-use location with a harbourside walk. It was immensely popular and was followed by redevelopment at Britomart, Commercial Bay to the east, and the previously industrial Wynyard Quarter to the west.
In the early 1900s, the original Viaduct Basin was intended as a lighter basin based on designs in London. The intention was that cargo ships would offload to smaller “lighters” in the Watematā Habour, but this idea failed, and the facilities were used instead for fishing boats. The Viaduct was the main port for the fishing industry in Auckland up until the redevelopment. You can still find evidence of this today by visiting the fish market in the Wynyard Quarter.
A drawbridge also connects the main Viaduct wharf to the Wynyard Quarter but is presently undergoing maintenance.
