Hopetoun Bridge

**Hopetoun Bridge
** by The Auckland Psychogeographer

Hopetoun Bridge is one of the great unlovely stretches of road of central Auckland, yet one that boasts a certain placehood because of the man-made view it affords, and because of a strangely intense energy, high above the motorway. Photographers are a common sight here over summer, thanks to the panoramic view of Ponsonby, the northern harbour and the edge of the city proper, especially when a fantastic long sunset is on display. There’s also revealing details to see - the reverse of the K’Rd overpass, the church spire on Ponsonby Road, the greenery and the geography of Auckland on the left hand, the apartments and concrete on the right.

Deeply unfriendly to pedestrians, with small footpaths and unnervingly modest fences, Hopetoun bridge steeply scoops up over the motorways and the pink Lightpath cycleway from the Pitt Street end then heads, via a busy red light area, towards Western Park and Ponsonby Road. It’s a blustery, noisy, vertiginous experience, but perhaps a cult classic. If you hate heights, avoid. If you love views, bring your camera.

Image Credits: The Auckland Psychogeographer