Located in central Auckland, Albert Park sits beside “Ranipuke”, one of Auckland’s earliest volcanoes and occupies much of the original site of Albert Barracks (considered to be the earliest European military fortification in the city). Constructed by Maori stone masons between 1846 and 1847, using basalt quarried from Mt. Eden, the fort was believed ( by some) to have been built on the previous site of a Maori fortified village known as “Te Horotia Pa.” By 1865, the fort was abandoned and much of its stone structures were removed. Fifteen years later, the concept of a public park was developed and the park itself was laid out. Originally, before the advent of Auckland’s skyscrapers, the park had wonderful views of the city and harbor. A caertaker’s residence built during the 1880’s still stands in the eastern side of the park and is now used as a clock museum. Among the several artworks and memorials throughout the park are two large field guns that were once part of a defensive system set up during the “Russian Invasion Scare” of the 1880’s. These are located near the flagpole and Boer War Memorial. On the other side of the park is a statue of Queen Victoria. During World War II (1941), several air raid tunnels were constructed beneath the park. Most of these tunnels were filled in after the war. Today, this beautiful park offers a wonderful respite from the hectics of urban life.
With Auckland University on one side and the central business district on the other, Albert Park is ideally situated
for visitors to realize a relaxing moment during the
day.
for visitors to realize a relaxing moment during the
day.
On the central business district side of the park, we found these stone structures that defied the imagination.
During the 1880’s, Auckland worried about a possible Russian Invasion. These canons (next to the flagpole) were part of a defensive system set up to repelled any such invasion.
That invasion never occurred.
Officially, the centerpiece of the park is this fountain with a statue of Queen Victoria in the background ...
...interestingly, we never found a statue of Prince Albert in the park named for him.
...but we felt the real stars were the trees.
They are magnificent!
The original caretaker’s residence is now used as a clock museum.
Every park we’ve visited had a gazebo.
One of the unique items in the park is this flowered clock (and, yes, the clock hands are
missing).
missing).
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