Do you consider yourself a history buff? Or are you looking for an activity that takes place primarily indoors during the winter weather, or just want to see some of Auckland’s most visited and reasonably priced attractions? Then you can’t look past some of the city’s best museums!
Auckland War Museum
One of Auckland’s first and most well-known museums, the Auckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of New Zealand and its people. Perched on the highest point of the Auckland Domain, it has a beautiful white exterior and houses extensive Māori galleries, dinosaur exhibitions, WW1 and WW2 memorials, a volcano room and features an ever-rotating range of short-term exhibitions, from Lego to butterflies to the history of New Zealand music and so much more.
Motat
The Museum of Transport and Technology is full to the brim of fun things for kids and kids-at-heart, all focused around aircrafts, cars, trams and other technologies. Their exhibitions are super interactive and allow you to do, experience and learn. There’s also a historical village where you can sit in some old-school church pews or take a turn in the stocks if you’ve been a little bit naughty!
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Being on an island in the middle of nowhere, its goes without saying we would have a museum dedicated to the innovators and dreamers who forged New Zealand’s spirit of exploration, from the first discovery by Kupe, to one of the most courageous migrations by the Polynesian peoples, to Abel Tasman and then Cook.
This museum features a fascinating glimpse into our wonderful relationship with the sea as explorers and every day New Zealanders that shares inspirational stories throughout extensive galleries, exhibitions, programmes and on-water experiences. Situated in Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct Harbour, this is an easy one to travel to and you can take in the surrounding cafes and views afterward!
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
This one is for train enthusiasts everywhere, located out south is a museum that has been heralded as New Zealand’s premier heritage train attraction. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway features a heritage steam train railway that was initiated when the New Zealand Government Railways announced the closure of the old Waiuku branch line. This attraction features themed days all based around trains: Day out with Thomas for the kids, Steam traction festivals, Railfan day and more! It’s also open to just explore and learn and is well worth the trip out south!