Northcote Wharf and Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf, reputedly Auckland's first marine restaurant, was built in 1970-1 by restaurateur Bob Sell. For the opening night on September 7, 1971, Sell invited “all the people who never go out anywhere,” and 150 senior citizens, the oldest of them aged 104, sat down for a swanky meal. The Herald wrote the next day, “and in the background, the waters of the Auckland harbour, lit by the brilliant lights from the bridge above, glistened like the eyes of all the old people.” Since 1973, the restaurant, now closed, has had a variety of owners.

Beyond Fisherman’s Wharf is Northcote Wharf. In 1856, the Crown formed Queen Street and built a wharf at the southern end. Horse-buses serviced the ferries. The old wharf was pulled down in the 1960s and the present much smaller one was built in its place. Harbour ferries operated out of the wharf until recently and plans remain in place to restore service to the wharf in the near future.

Walk up the steps opposite Fisherman’s Wharf and along the coastal path to the tip of Stokes Point.