The opening of the RWC 2011 on 9 September 2011 promises to be the biggest party Auckland has ever seen!
We’re expecting 50 000 people down at the waterfront and another 60 000 at Eden Park for the official opening ceremony and the first match. So we’re urging everyone, whatever your plans are for the night, to make a travel plan so you can get to your destination in time to have a good time.
Official Opening Ceremony and New Zealand v Tonga at Eden Park
To attend the Official Opening Ceremony you need a match ticket. There’s special event transport to Eden Park and a fan trail from town. Be aware that there are also road closures and parking restrictions in place: so you need to plan how you’re getting to the match.
Opening Night celebrations at Queens Wharf
The Queens Wharf fanzone is open daily for the entire tournament, but on 9 September it’s going to be the scene of a mass haka and kaihoe procession, concerts, the opening ceremony and match at Eden Park screened live and the biggest light and sound display New Zealand has ever seen.
Make your travel plans:
If you're travelling by car into town
Travel early: at least 1.5 hours before you want to be there, but the earlier the better
Consider using public transport, as roads will be very congested in the afternoon
Quay St will be closed so you need to park and walk.
Due to the demand for parking, you are likely to have a long walk to the Waterfront.
Good idea: The City and Inner LINK buses will run every 7 to 10 minutes, providing high frequency access to Customs St (close to the Waterfront). Choose parking somewhere on these routes in the outer suburbs and bus the rest of the way to the party. MAXX has more
information on the LINK routes.
If you're travelling by car out of town
People working in the CBD are being encouraged to leave the city by 3.30pm if they are not staying to party, so traffic is likely to be heavy from 2pm.
Quay St will be closed, so expect delays in the downtown area.
If you are wanting to leave the Opening Night event at some point during the evening, traffic is likely to be slow so allow yourself time and be patient.
If you're travelling from West Auckland using public transport
If you’re going to the match and the Official Opening Ceremony at Eden Park, you can travel for free on special event trains with your match ticket. Trains operate every 15 minutes, stopping all stations. They stop at Morningside Station (Eden Park) and you’ll have a 10 minute walk to the stadium. Shuttles are available for patrons with limited mobility.
Travel to the match is also free on special event buses with your match ticket. Buses stop at a specially arranged Eden Park Transport Hub, a short walk from the stadium.
If you’re travelling to the festivities at Queens Wharf by train, note that between 4.15pm and 6.30pm trains to Britomart will not stop at Newmarket Station. After the 8.22pm Swanson service, buses will replace trains between Morningside and Britomart. At Morningside you will be directed to the rail replacement bus service to Britomart. Travel is not free.
If you’re travelling to the Opening Night festivities at Queens Wharf by bus, regular services will be running but please note that Quay St is closed to vehicles and that bus stops in this area have been temporarily relocated to nearby streets. Travel is not free.
Trains, buses and ferries will be providing enhanced and late night services.
If you're travelling from the North Shore using public transport
If you’re going to the match and the Official Opening Ceremony at Eden Park, travel is free on special event buses with your match ticket. Buses stop at a specially arranged Eden Park Transport Hub, a short walk from the stadium.
If you’re travelling to the Opening Night festivities at Queens Wharf by bus, regular services will be running but please note that Quay St is closed to vehicles and that bus stops have been temporarily relocated to nearby streets. Travel is not free.
Buses and ferries will be providing enhanced and late night services.
If you're travelling from the South/East using public transport
If you’re going to the match and the Official Opening Ceremony at Eden Park, you can travel for free with your match ticket by train or special event bus.
Plan to be in your seat at Eden Park by 7pm at the latest for the 7.30pm start
You can catch normal scheduled Southern and Eastern Line trains to Britomart, where you can transfer onto Western Line services running to Kingsland, if you’re going on to Eden Park. Limited trains will operate direct to Kingsland via Newmarket.
After the match, catch the train from Kingsland to Britomart where you can transfer onto Southern and Eastern Line trains.
If you’re travelling to the Opening Night festivities at Queens Wharf by train, you will need to exit Britomart at the eastern end of the station. Travel is not free.
Special event buses stop at a specially arranged Eden Park Transport Hub, a short walk from the stadium.
If you’re travelling to the Opening Night festivities at Queens Wharf by bus, regular services will be running, but note that Quay St is closed to vehicles and that bus stops have been temporarily relocated to nearby streets. Travel is not free.
Trains, buses and ferries will be providing enhanced and late night services.
If you're travelling by ferry
Ferry services operate between the Downtown Ferry Terminal and Waiheke Island, Devonport, Bayswater, Birkenhead/Northcote Point, Pine Harbour, West Harbour and Half Moon Bay
Ferry passengers can change to a special event bus or train for transport to matches.
Ferry travel is not free with a match ticket as they do not provide a direct service to the venue
Note: The Ticket Office and Service Centre at Britomart will close at 4pm on Friday 9 September, and the Walk In Centre will close at 5pm. Commuters who are not travelling to Eden Park for the match will be able to buy tickets with cash and Eftpos at the Eastern end of Britomart from a mobile kiosk. HOP card users are able to top up their HOP cards at retailers outside Britomart.
More information