With a variety of museums in Auckland to choose from, seven stand out as must-see destinations for both locals and visitors. These include cultural and historical overviews, hands-on science, classic and contemporary art, and our southern hemisphere night sky.
Auckland is the country’s largest city, so it should come as no surprise that it is home some of the best museums in New Zealand. However, Te Papa Tongarewa (the New Zealand National Museum) is located in the capital city of Wellington.
Best Museums in Auckland
Auckland Museum (War Memorial Museum)
The Auckland Museum is home to an impressive Māori collection, as well as the extensive history of the flora, fauna, and people of New Zealand. Many say it has the world’s largest collection of Māori artifacts. Much of the collection includes beautiful and intricate carvings, which is a highly specialised skill passed down through the generations
The top floor houses the War Memorial Museum, displaying military histories and serving as a tribute to those who served in New Zealand's military.
Hours: 10am to 5pm daily, open till 8:30pm Tuesday evenings - Closed on Christmas day
Cost: International adult entry is $28 with concessions for children and families. Free for Auckland residents (with proof of address), donations requested for other New Zealand residents
Location: The Auckland Domain, Parnell
Maritime Museum Auckland
This island nation's nautical history comes to life at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. It takes us from the dugout canoes that brought the first Polynesian people only 1,000 years ago to modern world-class racing vessels, including America's Cup. There is an opportunity (paid) to sail on a heritage vessel.
Hours: 10am-5pm daily (last entry 4 pm) - Closed on Christmas day
Cost: Adult entry is $20 with discounts for seniors, students, children, and families. Free for Auckland residents
Location: Corner of Quay and Hobson St, Viaduct Harbour
MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology Auckland)
MOTAT features the best of New Zealand creativity. A hands-on family-friendly science museum featuring technological and aviation displays, offering insights through 150+ years of New Zealand European history.
Hours: 10am-4pm daily (last entry 3.30 pm) - Closed on Christmas day
Cost: Adult entry is $19 with discounts for seniors, students, children, and families
Location: 805 Great North Rd, Western Springs
Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
With both live and pre-filmed planetarium shows, Stardome offers a unique experience. We love the outdoor telescope viewing following some of the planetarium shows. It also houses educational space exhibits.
Hours: Open daily, although hours vary by day, with night hours from Tuesday to Sunday
Cost: Adult entry is $2 for exhibits, $12 for most shows with discounts for seniors, students, children, and families
Location: 670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
Here we discovered the fascinating history of The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), encountering examples of wartime activities, defence, peacekeeping missions, exploration, search and rescue, and nuclear testing (not in NZ waters).
The museum has authentic artifacts, model ships, medals, storyboards, photographs, videos, and hands-on opportunities. Importantly, this was all done with a focus on the amazing men and women who protect New Zealand.
Built along the waterfront, just below North Head, a portion of the museum is in an actual 1900s submarine mine station.
Hours: 10am-5pm daily, closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Boxing Day
Cost: Free for New Zealand Residents, International Visitors 18+ $10
Location: 64 King Edward Parade, Devonport (It's an easy ferry ride from the city if you don’t have a car.)
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
From classic to contemporary, the Auckland Art Gallery houses over 15,000 artworks. The artwork ranges from painting and sculpture to multimedia. It is the country's biggest collection of both domestic and international artwork.
Hours: 10am-5pm daily - Closed on Christmas day
Cost: International adult entry is $20 (currently suspended) with discounts for seniors and students. Free for New Zealand residents and all children age 12 and under
Location: Corner of Kitchener and Wellesley Streets
Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery - Te Uru
This award-winning, purpose-built contemporary gallery changes its exhibits several times annually, making each visit unique. Overlooking the sub-tropical rainforest, the building itself is a work of art utilising both natural and diffused light as well as open spaces to create an inviting atmosphere.
They have a strong connection with local Maori Iwi, and their name was derived from Te hau a uru, the wind that blows from the west, bringing a message and vision, change and direction.
It is well off the beaten path, and difficult to get to without private transportation. However, Te Uru makes for an unusual and fascinating stop when taking a day trip out to Auckland's west coast.
Hours: 10am-4.30pm daily, closed Monday in winter / spring - Closed on Christmas day, Good Friday, and ANZAC day morning
Cost: Free
Location: 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi
Howick Historical Village
A living museum takes us back to New Zealand's colonial days of the mid-1800s. Open daily, it really comes alive on the monthly live days featuring costumed villagers in character.
Hours: 10am-4pm daily - Closed on many public holidays.
Cost: Adult entry is $14 with discounts for seniors, students, children, and families
Location: Lloyd Elsmore Park, Bells Rd, Pakuranga
Auckland map of museums
Read next: 26 Favourite museums in New Zealand a list created by locals
Getting to museums in Auckland
Public transportation
Auckland city has an excellent public transportation system in the central city, and there are buses or trains that can get you to all of the Auckland museums on this page. The easiest way to find your route is with the free AT Journey Planner.
Auckland Explorer: Hop-on-hop-off bus
While this is a great way to see the city, it will only get you to four of the museums listed above: Auckland Museum, MOTAT, Maritime Museum, and Auckland Art Gallery. Check price and discount options for the Auckland Hop-on-hop-off bus.
Taxi or Uber
Unless you are in the heart of the central business district (CBD), you will need to call for a taxi if you want one. Uber is also a popular option for getting around in New Zealand. Both are generally considered safe.
Walk
Honestly, this is my favourite way to see any city. There are so many lovely walks in Auckland, an isthmus built on the cones of 48 extinct volcanoes. From the city centre, it is an easy walk to the Maritime Museum or the Auckland Art Gallery. Longer walks include the Auckland Museum (2.7 km from Britomart) or MOTAT (5 km from Britomart). For the other three museums, you would need some sort of transportation.
Drive yourself
Driving in Auckland is not much different than driving in any other major city around the world. Traffic is heavy, people drive less politely than they do in the suburban areas, and parking is both difficult to find and expensive. As a visitor, we recommend picking up a rental car when you are ready to leave the city. Within the city, use one of the methods above.
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget). See all our personal favourite NZ hotels here.
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we do have a go-to when we hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel. And don’t forget to download our free New Zealand packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
Save for later
Please share this list of museums on social media, starting with Pinterest:
After visiting the museums in Auckland, don’t miss these 75 free or nearly free things to do in the city.
Which is your favourite of the museums in Auckland?
More from Auckland you might also like … starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city
Steve
You missed the Navy Museum? The National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy is in Torpedo Bay, Devonport Auckland.
Nat
I didn’t know there were so many museums. They all look very interesting. Saving this for when I go. Thank you for sharing
Tania Muthusamy
I definitely want to go to Auckland and see New Zealand’s largest city. I always love checking out some museums when I visit a new city. Out of these 7 museums, I would be keen to visit the Auckland Museum and see the Maori performance they have on everyday. Then the Auckland Art Gallery for the international collection of art they have. Te Uru sounds interesting too, being off the beaten track.
Corey
If I ever make it to Auckland this is good to know! Dying to visit New Zealand some day!
Suzy
The Howick Historical Village looks interesting. Will have to visit when I’m in Auckland next.
Petrina
I love museums and walking, so it seems that I would love Auckland 😊 thanks for this info, the Planetarium will be on the top of my list, it sounds really exciting!
Sarah
I am not a “museum person” when I travel – but I do usually like to visit at least one, usually an art museum or a more unusual museum (I guess I should say I’m not a “history museum person”). Anyway, even saying that it still looks like there are a lot of museums in Auckland that I’d be interested in.
Lauren
Yet again, a very informative post! They all look like great museums to visit, but I’d probably start with Howick Historical Village- I love outdoor activities and so cool that it’s a “living museum” 🙂
Esther
I’d absolutely love to visit the contemorary museums. The War Museum also speaks to me, because of the Maori Collection. So interesting!
Nicola
It’s been a while since I visited Auckland but I like the look of Howick Historical Museum. My kids enjoy the living history ones
Indah Nuria
Those are great museums to explore. I have been an avid museum lover and I would love to go back to New Zealand indeed
Alan Bates
These are some very cool museums. If I get to New Zealand these are great ideas.
Jill
I don’t think I enjoyed museums when I was younger but I sure do enjoy them now. I’d probably pick the living history museum and my husband would go Maritime Museum all the way. So that way we’d make it to at least two of them!
Courtney
Ooooo I just love finding museums when I’m traveling!!! I always try to find them in every city we visit!!!
Lydia C. Lee
Greal round up – that Art Gallery looks lovely – the old with the new.
Carol
Another great post with information to help plan a fantastic trip to Auckland!
Nancy
If I ever get to go to NZ, I’ll spend hours and hours looking at your posts to make up my NZ bucket list!
Paul Pietrangelo
Oh my, there are so many museums in this location. This would be the one that I would meet, Stardome Observatory and Planetarium. See ya Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Kara
I am desperate to visit New Zealand, it looks like such a beautiful country. These museums look fab
Obligatory Traveler
What a great selection of museums. I think I’d really enjoy the Historic Village. I loved them no matter where we traveled when I was a kid, and it always creates a sense of nostalgia. The observatory looks really neat too. Pinned so I’ll remember to check back when we plan a trip to New Zealand.
Jackline A
I love visiting museums in places that I visit. I have never been to New Zealand but I am excited to visit one day.
Lyn
Great compilation here, for some reason we never visited any of them when we were in NZ, but did spend time of the Auckland Explorer to get about to the other sights. I’d love to visit the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium on a future trip.
Helen
I am ashamed to say I haven’t been to any of these!!! I nearly got to the Art Museum when they had the ‘stick the dot on the wall’ room but it didn’t happen. Need to rectify that.
Amy Franks
The Auckland Museum use to be my favourite since I was little but it has changed considerably over the years, some for the good, some for the bad, it’s certainly not the same as it use to be.
Scott Gombar
We live on the east coast of the US but for some reason my son wants to visit New Zealand really badly. I can see some of the reasons now.
Alexandra Cook
Wow, this museum looks incredible. There’s so much to do and see there! Looks like a brilliant place to take the whole family
Yeah Lifestyle
We love museums and will be planning to visit my best friend in Auckland soon so will try to follow this list to visit of your suggested museums
Maggie
Wow! These museums sound sooo amazing! Can’t wait to visit!
Karen
We adored our time in New Zealand although didnt have much time in Auckland. what a great array of museums.
jess
i love to visit museums! is look so comfortable and gorgeous.
definitely save for my next bucket list x
thank you for sharing x
kumamonjeng
Great compilation of list you have there. I love visiting museums whenever I travel especially when it is raining and I can’t do much outdoor.
Catherine Santiago Jose
I do love visiting museums every time we visited a place because from there I was able to learn their different traditions and culture. I will definitely add this place on my bucket list.
Claire Lee
I always go to museums when I visit a new city. Each city has their own exhibitions which I really love! I’d love to visit here someday too!
Lasonia
We love visiting museums. They have some very nice ones there in New Zealand. Will keep this for future references.
Anziee
Hubby and I both enjoy visiting museums! We are planning to visit New Zealand soon, so saved this post for future reference ☺
Sandee
I would love to visit them all. I love museums.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. ♥
Kalyan Panja
I love visiting museums and Auckland also looks to have a good number of interesting ones to spend time.
Chad
A friend of mine recently went to NZ and was raving about it for months especially about the museums. I would love to travel there one day, what an amazing experience.
L. Diane Wolfe
I’m marking this page for a friend who will be traveling your direction next year.