Whammy Bar
The heart of Auckland's independent music scene, in the basement of St Kevins Arcade on K Road.
Museums, Galleries & Culture in Auckland
Do Auckland lists 16 museums, galleries and heritage sites. Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Art Gallery are free for New Zealand residents. MOTAT is $19, Stardome is $18, Howick Historical Village is $14 and Highwic is $10. All are indoors, so they work in any weather.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
Free museum exploring the history of the Royal New Zealand Navy through naval officers' stories from the World Wars. Includes naval-themed playground and seaside cafe.
Eden Park Tour
Stadium tours of New Zealand's iconic sports venue, home to the All Blacks. Behind-the-scenes access to changing rooms, players' tunnel and the hallowed turf. 90 minutes.
Pah Homestead - Arts House Trust
Free art gallery in a historic 1879 mansion in Monte Cecilia Park. Rotating exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand art. On-site cafe with views of One Tree Hill. Entry by koha/donation.
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
Planetarium shows in One Tree Hill Domain, and on clear nights, telescope viewing with someone to point out what the southern sky has that the north does not.
Karangahape Road (K Road)
Auckland's most eclectic strip with vintage shops, indie galleries, cocktail lounges, late-night eateries and live music venues. Free to wander, best explored by foot in the evening.
Howick Historical Village
Living history museum showcasing the early settlement of Howick from the mid-to-late 1800s. Explore real homes and daily life of early settlers. Educational and family-friendly.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
New Zealand's largest art institution with over 15,000 works across four floors of a stunning heritage building. Free entry for NZ residents. Free guided tours daily at 1.30pm.
All Blacks Experience
A fully guided, state-of-the-art interactive tribute to the All Blacks and New Zealand's national rugby teams. Come face-to-face with the haka and learn about NZ's rugby heritage.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Three floors of New Zealand's stories from Maori and Pacific cultures to natural history and military heritage. Set in a magnificent heritage building in Auckland Domain. Free for Auckland residents.
The Tuning Fork
The small room attached to Spark Arena, and the best-sounding venue of its size in the country.
MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology
New Zealand's largest transport and technology museum across two sites in Western Springs. Aviation hall, heritage tram rides, historic village and hands-on exhibits make it a great family day out.
Highwic Historic House
Beautifully preserved Gothic mansion built in 1862, owned by Heritage NZ. Tour the elegant rooms and spectacular gardens for a step back into Victorian Auckland.
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
West Auckland's regional gallery presenting contemporary art and design exhibitions. Five levels with a rooftop terrace and spectacular views in scenic Titirangi. Free entry.
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Step into a fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy from the five-time Academy Award winning Wētā Workshop. Hands-on, immersive experience.
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Discover New Zealand's seafaring story from Polynesian voyaging to America's Cup victories. Located on the Viaduct Harbour with options to sail on heritage vessels. Free for Auckland residents.
The range runs from the big two in the city to smaller places worth the trip. Te Uru in Titirangi, Pah Homestead in Hillsborough and Torpedo Bay in Devonport are all free, and all quieter than the central museums on a wet weekend.
Common questions
Which Auckland museums are free?
Auckland War Memorial Museum and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki are free to New Zealand residents. Pah Homestead, Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery and Torpedo Bay Navy Museum are free to everyone.
What is the best museum in Auckland for kids?
MOTAT at $19, with working trams and hands on exhibits. Stardome at $18 runs planetarium shows, and the War Memorial Museum has a natural history floor and is free for residents.
What cultural things can you do in Auckland?
Museums and galleries, the Wētā Workshop Unleashed experience, the All Blacks Experience, an Eden Park tour, heritage houses at Highwic and Howick, and the street art and venues along K Road.