Auckland City Attractions

Situated on Auckland’s beautiful Domain in one of our finest heritage buildings. Inside are priceless Maori treasures, stories of our natural history.  Maori cultural performances 3x daily.

Auckland War Memorial Museum is New Zealands first museum. Established in 1852 in a two-room farm cottage in the central Auckland suburb of Grafton, Auckland Museum is recognised as holding nationally and internationally significant collections.

The Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people. The Museum is a war memorial for the province of Auckland and holds one of New Zealands top three heritage libraries. It has pre-eminent Maori and Pacific collections, significant natural history resources and major social and military history collections, as well as decorative arts and pictorial collections.

The Museum is home to millions of objects, provides educational services to over 60,000 school children annually and is one of New Zealands most popular man-made tourist attractions with around half a million visitors every year.

Over 100 full-time and 200 volunteers help maintain the Museum and its very special collections.  The Museum is lead by director Dr Vanda Vitali, who is supported by a management executive team.               

You can find Auckland Museum at: Domain Drive, The Auckland Domain, Parnell

A truly captivating experience awaits visitors to Auckland's Sky Tower At 328 metres, it is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction.

You can find the SKY TOWER on: Cnr Victoria and Federal Sts.

Auckland's vibrant waterfront is home to the Voyager New Zealand  Maritime Museum, one of the finest in the world.  A visit here promises a broad overview of our rich maritime heritage.              

You can find the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum on: Cnr Quay & Hobson Sts, Viaduct Harbour

Auckland Art Gallery has the most extensive collection of national and international art in New Zealand. Exhibiting work from its collection along with a programme of national and international touring exhibitions.

Auckland Art Gallery's Main Gallery on Kitchener Street is currently closed for redevelopment. Exhibitions and events will continue at the Auckland Art Gallery, New Gallery, corner of Wellesley and Lorne streets.

Auckland City Library has a strong community focus, offering many opportunities to join in events and activities. These include author talks, book clubs, kids storytimes, school holiday programmes, concerts, heritage exhibitions, and much more.                                  

You can find the Central City Library at: 44 - 46 Lorne Street, CBD

KZ1 New Zealand, built for the 1988 America's Cup challenge, was the biggest sloop-rigged yachts ever built.  She took just 24 weeks to build, from concept to official launching on March 27th, 1988.                           

You can KZ1 find it at: Outside Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour

Kelly Tarlton's is a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater sights. Explore the wilds of Antarctica and the natural treasures of the ocean depths in our Underwater World - and beyond.                                

You can find Kelly Tarltons at: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei

Auckland Zoo has New Zealand's largest collection of animals and is recognised as one of the most progressive zoos in the world.  A winner of national and international environmental related awards, it is home to 179 different species and over 1300 animals. There is lots to see and do all year, including events, eye-to-eye encounters, Zoom (behind the scenes) tours and more!

You can find the Auckland Zoo at: Motions Road, Western Springs.

The skies above us are home to stars, satellites, planets and galaxies and a wealth of valuable insights into the world we live in. At the Stardome Observatory, they have created an environment that brings together astronomers and enthusiasts, and inspires a love of the sky and the science behind it in even the smallest star gazers. Their facilities include an amazing 360° digital dome theatre and the 0.5m Zeiss telescope. Situated in Auckland’s One Tree Hill Domain, they are New Zealand’s leading astronomical attraction.

MOTAT is New Zealand's largest and leading transport and technology museum with over 300,000 items in their collection. Within 40 acres, MOTAT will take you on an interactive journey through many of the technological achievements that have helped shape New Zealand.

MOTAT opened in 1964 and since then has been explored and enjoyed by millions of  local, national and international visitors. MOTAT is an interactive museum with a focus on creating a fun, visually stimulating environment for its visitors.

St Matthew’s, or St Matthew-in-the-City, is a historic Anglican church built in 1905. Located in the Auckland’s CBD St Matthew’s is renowned for its neo-Gothic style. Listed as a Category 1 Historic Place, the building included a 1300 year old stone from the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey.

You can find St Matthew's Church on: The corner of Hobson and Wellesley Streets, Auckland Central.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was established in 1842. Since 1848, the Bishop's chair or 'cathedra', has been situated at St. Patrick's making it the mother church for the Diocese of Auckland. Over 1500 people come to the Cathedral to celebrate Mass on a Sunday. In 2005 St Patrick’s was closed for the first time in 100 years for major restoration work. It was reopened in 2007.

You can find St Patrick's Cathedral at: 43 Wyndham Street, Auckland Central.

The Auckland Domain is the city's oldest park. The Wintergardens are a feature of the Domain with the Auckland War Memorial Museum sitting at the highest point. There are formal gardens, duck ponds, large green open spaces edged by mature trees, bush walks and statuary. A garden for the blind is located near the intersection of Titoki Street and Maunsell Road extension and contains raised beds of aromatic, herbaceous and sensory plants. Impressive magnolia gardens sit along Domain Drive just past the Parnell Tennis Club and contain a variety of magnolias.

Victoria Park is a significant public open space located within the western basin of the central business district. The park is surrounded on all four sides by key roads - Victoria Street West, Halsey, Fanshawe and Beaumont Streets. It consists of mainly large flat, grassed playing fields encircled by an historic pathway, lined with dominant london plane trees.

Albert Park is one of Auckland’s most important parks. Its central location in the heart of the CBD, together with its long history and distinctive character, have earned it a special place in the hearts of Aucklanders and made it an important destination for visitors.

At one corner of the park is the Auckland City Art Gallery and gardens, and on the other side is the original park-keepers cottage which is now a museum of memorabilia. The park also features a range of statuary and memorials, as well as formal flower beds, a Victorian fountain and mature trees.

Immerse yourself in this central city oasis, take a weekday stroll or enjoy a picnic on this sloping, linear, historical park. Myers Park links the diverse and colourful Karangahape Road with Aotea Square and Queen Street.

This park contains many displays of lovely trees offering shade during the hot summer months including Puriri, a huge Morton Bay Fig, and an avenue of palms. Take pleasure from Michelangelo's replica of Moses which was presented to the city in 1971, and other such fascinating works. Pedestrian access is available from Queen Street, Karangahape Road, Greys Avenue and Mayoral Drive.

The Parnell Rose Gardens, showcases new and old rose varieties, many of which have been bred by internationally celebrated rose breeders.  To enjoy the blooms at their fullest, visit between October and April.  The park is also home to some remarkable native trees. During a weekend every November, the gardens come alive with the annual  Parnell Festival of Roses showcasing New Zealand craft stalls, art exhibitions, music, strolling performers and thousands of roses!

You can find the Parnell Rose Gardens at: 85-87 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland.