Best museums in Auckland

Auckland is one of New Zealand's integral cities, offering not only one of the country's largest city centres, the best scenery in the north of the island and a wealth of things to do in the surrounding areas, but also one of the most outstanding cultural scenes, with some of New Zealand's best museums to be found here.

Some of the best things to see and do in Auckland to discover its best exhibits include visiting the War Memorial Museum, browsing the city's Art Museum, marvelling at the Maritime Museum located in the harbour and checking out the Science Museum, which is the ideal place to visit with children.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is one of New Zealand's most important museums. Located in Dominion Park in central Auckland, it is housed in a historic building dating from the early 20th century and is often included in the itinerary of the best tours of Auckland.

The museum focuses on New Zealand's military history and in particular the role of local soldiers in the two world wars. The building houses a wealth of artefacts and exhibits illustrating the New Zealand military's involvement in international and domestic conflicts.

One of the most prominent exhibits is the Memorial Hall, which pays tribute to the New Zealand soldiers who died in the First World War. The gallery features several exhibits, including a full-scale replica of the Sopwith Camel warplane used by soldiers during the war.

Another popular exhibit is the World War II Gallery, which features a variety of military relics and exhibits detailing New Zealand's involvement in the conflict. The gallery also includes a replica of a Lancaster bomber, the aircraft used by the New Zealand Air Force.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Auckland War Memorial Museum also features temporary exhibitions covering a wide range of topics related to New Zealand's military history.

Details of interest

• Entryfee: entrance costs approximately 15 Euros per person.
• Location: Stadium 3, Auckland.
• Hours: daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

If you want to visit an interactive exhibition in Auckland, you can't miss the Museum of Transport and Technology, which is one of the city's premier educational sites. This museum has an extensive collection of vehicles, machinery and technological artefacts that tell the story of transport and technology over the years.

The museum houses many objects, from cars and motorbikes to trains and planes, and has a section dedicated to space exploration and related technology. There you can see a life-size replica of the Apollo 13 command module up close and experience what it's like to be on the moon in an interactive simulation.

The exhibition also includes a collection of vintage steam engines and machinery, many of which are still operational and on display in full working order. In these interactive exhibits you can learn about the evolution of industrial technology and how it has changed the way we work.

One of the most popular attractions is the 1900s Auckland Public Transport Exhibition, which includes vintage trams and buses. You'll be able to climb aboard these historic vehicles and experience what public transport was like in the city more than a century ago. Because of the museum's location, you can access it by public transport on a bike tour of Auckland that includes free stops.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 20 euros per person.
• Location: Great North Road and Motions Road, Auckland.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Auckland Museum of Art is one of the most important museums in the country. Founded in 1888, the museum has an extensive collection of Maori and Pacific art, as well as contemporary and European art, making it one of New Zealand's most important cultural repositories.

One of the highlights of the museum is the wooden statue of Hineteiwaiwa, the Maori fertility goddess. This statue is one of the few ancient Maori artefacts to survive the looting and destruction that occurred during European colonisation of New Zealand.

Another attraction of the museum is the contemporary art collection, which includes works by New Zealand and overseas artists. The museum also houses a library and a gift shop where art objects and souvenirs can be purchased.

The building that houses the Auckland Museum of Art is an important architectural landmark in the city. It was designed by renowned architect Roy A. Lippincott and a major renovation was completed in 2003, adding new art galleries and an auditorium. Auckland's hop on-hop off sightseeing bus includes a stop near the museum.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 20 euros per person.
• Location: Wellesley Street and Kitchener Street, Auckland.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

For one of Auckland's most eclectic exhibits, visit the Voyager Maritime Museum, which is dedicated to the country's maritime history and is located in the city's harbour, in a distinctive modern structure designed to resemble a ship.

The museum has a collection of over 200 vessels, from canoes and steamboats to modern ships. One of the most popular attractions is the replica of the ship HMS Endeavour, which was captained by British explorer James Cook on his first voyage to New Zealand.

In addition to the ship exhibits, the museum also features interactive exhibits that give visitors a hands-on experience of New Zealand's maritime history. Visitors can experience what it's like to sail a sailing ship, learn about fishing nets and see how these vessels are built, making it one of the best activities to do with children.

The Voyager Maritime Museum also offers a variety of educational programmes and special events, such as boat-building workshops, guided tours and activities for the whole family. You can also view Auckland's cruise ship mooring area from its platform.

Useful details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately ¤17 per person.
• Location: Quay Street and Hobson Street, Auckland.
• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 5pm.

The Auckland National Museum is one of Auckland's most prominent cultural attractions. Located in Auckland Domain Park, the museum houses a wide variety of exhibitions covering the history, art and culture of the region, making it one of New Zealand's global exhibitions.

One of the Auckland Museum's most popular exhibits is the Maori collection, which features historical and cultural artefacts from the indigenous New Zealand tradition. This exhibit includes a large collection of woodcarvings, weapons and tools, as well as textiles and jewellery.

Another major attraction is the New Zealand natural history exhibit, which features a stock of animal and plant specimens, as well as interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore the landscape and wildlife of the region.

The Auckland Museum also has a wide range of art exhibitions, from modern and contemporary art to historic paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries. Highlights include works by local artists and collections of Oceania art. Its location makes it ideal for touring between excursions or after lunch or a food tour of Auckland.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, the Auckland Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, events and educational programmes for children and adults. Visitors can participate in guided tours, workshops and talks, and can explore the museum in their own time through a series of self-guided tours.

Details of interest

• Price: Entry costs approximately €25 per person to enter.
• Location: Auckland Domain, Auckland.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.

The Maritime Museum is one of the most important tourist attractions in Auckland and the country. The museum has a large collection of artefacts relating to the maritime history of New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Housed in an art deco building that used to be the headquarters of the Auckland Customs Office, the museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions, ranging from the early voyages of Polynesians to New Zealand to European exploration and the history of South Pacific shipping and its conquest.

Among the museum's highlights are historic ships, such as the replica Viking ship, as well as a collection of old maps and documents relating to European exploration of the region. In addition, the museum has a display of Maori artefacts, which illustrate the indigenous culture's relationship with the sea.

During your visit to the museum you can take part in interactive activities, such as virtual sailing on a colonial-era ship and can also enjoy multimedia exhibits and live presentations. The museum is ideal for families, with educational activities for children and young people. If you visit Auckland in the summer, you can discover the outdoor exhibits, which may be closed during the winter.

Useful details

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 15 euros per person.
• Location: Quay St, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

The Torpedo Bay War Museum is a military museum located in Devonport, a small coastal town in the north of Auckland. The museum is one of the most important in the country and has a large collection of objects and artefacts relating to New Zealand's military history.

The museum is situated in a location with open views out to sea, adjacent to Waitemata Harbour, in a bay that was used as a naval base during World War I and World War II. The museum's permanent exhibition provides a detailed overview of the country's military history, from pre-colonial times to the present.

Among the museum's highlights are military aircraft and vehicles used by New Zealand forces during the world wars, as well as an important collection of weapons, uniforms and wartime equipment. There is also a section dedicated to the intelligence and espionage services, as well as an interactive exhibition on the Vietnam War, in which New Zealand was involved.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum also has temporary exhibitions and educational activities for children and young people. The museum offers guided tours and special programmes for school groups and tourists. If you plan to visit Auckland in February or during the summer months, you can take a swim in the nearby areas.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 15 euros per person.
• Location: 64 King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

The Auckland Police Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and work of the police in the Auckland region of New Zealand. It is located in the police station on Cook Street in the city centre, making it an ideal activity to do after lunch or before a beer tour, as it is located in an area with numerous pubs.

The museum has an extensive collection of artefacts, photographs and documents showing the evolution of policing in Auckland from colonial times to the present day. Highlights include historic uniforms, firearms, communication equipment and vintage police vehicles.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also has temporary exhibits that focus on specific topics related to policing, such as the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking.

The Auckland Police Museum is a popular attraction for visitors interested in learning more about the history of policing in New Zealand and in particular the Auckland region. It is also an excellent choice for students of law and criminology as it offers a detailed look at policing in the country.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: 25-29 Great South Road, Auckland Central, Auckland.
• Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Auckland Museum of Contemporary Art is an internationally renowned cultural institution located in the heart of the city, which is also home to the country's oldest and largest art institution, with a collection of over 16,000 works dating from the 12th century to the present day.

The museum is housed in an iconic building that has undergone several refurbishments and extensions over the years. The original building, built in 1887, was designed in the French Renaissance style, while the latest extension, opened in 2011, was designed by Australian architectural firm FJMT and features a contemporary style.

The Museum of Contemporary Art 's collection encompasses painting, sculpture, photography, Maori and Pacific art, contemporary art and multimedia works. Highlights include works by renowned artists such as Frances Hodgkins, Colin McCahon and Ralph Hotere.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately ¤20 per person.
• Location: Kitchener and Wellesley, Auckland.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For an educational experience in Auckland, a visit to the Science Museum is a fascinating place to learn about the world of science.

The museum's main gallery houses exhibits on natural history and evolution, including a large collection of bird species and marine animals.

Also, during your visit you can explore the world of physics and technology in the Power and Energy exhibition, which features scale models of power generators, turbines and engines. Other popular exhibits include The Human Brain, which explores the structure and functioning of the brain, and Transportation Technology, which features a variety of vehicles and modes of transport, from bicycles to aeroplanes.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum has temporary exhibits that change regularly. These exhibits address interesting and current topics such as artificial intelligence, space exploration and climate change.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance fee is approximately 20 euros per person.
• Location: 805 Great North Road, Auckland.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.