This year’s huge for New Zealand rugby and at britomart.org we’re pretty damn excited about being in the thick of the rugby action.

Britomart is the transport gateway for games at Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium, whether you’re catching a bus or train or heading to the game on foot. We’re also a stone’s throw from the official Queens Wharf Rugby World Cup Fanzone, which means come World Cup time, the precinct will be going off.

Britomart is also unofficially, but indisputably, the best place in Auckland to have a beer and a meal and watch the game action live on our bars’ big screens.

There’s going to be all kinds of other exciting stuff going on in the precinct in September and October too. That includes several cool events staged as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival, a nationwide celebration of heritage, culture and entertainment during Rugby World Cup 2011.

Check out the details below – and watch this space for more rugby-related info!

TRAINS TO EDEN PARK

If you’re going to any rugby game at Eden Park between now and the World Cup, don’t forget there are free trains running from Britomart to Kingsland prior to kickoff.

Trains run every five minutes before and after the games and are free with your match ticket or Eden Park membership card.

Come down and park at Britomart Car Park or catch your usual Southern or Eastern line train into Britomart. (On game days you’ll need to come via Britomart to change trains for Kingsland anyway.)

BUSES TO NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM

Free buses also run from Britomart to North Harbour Stadium in Albany. Special event buses run from three hours before and one hour after the game and are timed to connect with train services to and from Britomart.

These buses run on the Northern Busway and offer quick and reliable transport to the stadium. They depart from Stop D1 on Lower Albert Street to Albany Station, a comfortable 10-15 minutes’ walk from North Harbour Stadium.

FERRY TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

The Downtown Ferry Terminal is situated next to Britomart Transport Centre, allowing ferry passengers an easy change to buses and trains to games. Special Devonport and Waiheke ferry timetables will be in operation around key Rugby World Cup game dates – see special ferry service information here.

BARS, BEER AND FOOD

If you’re coming through Britomart to catch the bus or train, then stopping for a beer is a no-brainer. Brew on Quay, Northern Steamship Co., The Britomart Country Club and Tyler Street Garage will all be rocking on match days, all do great food and the beer will be flowing plentifully.

French cafe-bistro L'Assiette will have special set menus on big game days during the Rugby World Cup and an outdoor pop-up bar serving Kronenbourg on tap. There are plenty of other great Britomart bars and restaurants to choose from for a drink or a quick meal on the way to the game too.

And if you're interested in hosting a pre- or post-match function during the Rugby World Cup, the Australis-Nathan Building is a great event venue for hire.

LIVE GAMES ON BIG SCREENS AT BARS

The Britomart Country Club is one of just a handful of official Platinum Heineken Rugby World Cup 2011 venues in New Zealand. They’re warming up the big screens with live Saturday night screenings of Super Rugby games from Saturday 21 May. They’ll also screen all the All Blacks’ Tri Nations games live and all the Rugby World Cup games.

Brew on Quay and Northern Steamship Co. will be screening the Super 15 final, all All Blacks Tri Nations games and all major Rugby World Cup matches including All Blacks games live.

Tyler Street Garage has two big screens, including one on the roof terrace, and will show all the Rugby World Cup games live. 1885 Britomart has six large-screen TVs that will show all games from 3pm. L'Assiette will also show live coverage of all matches, with the sound on for the big games – and a particular focus on the France matches!

FAN TRAIL WALK FROM BRITOMART TO EDEN PARK

The Eden Park Fan Trail will be a 50-minute, 4.5km walk from Britomart through the middle of town to the stadium. Thousands of people are expected to walk the route, which will be lined temporary food and beverage stalls, live music and art installations, as part of the pre-match experience.

Activities will kick off along the fan trail route three hours before the start of each Eden Park game, beginning with interactive street theatre in QEII Square. Start with a drink at Britomart and then join the fun!