The 10 Best Museums in Auckland Central, North Island

Artspace is the leading platform for contemporary art in New Zealand Aotearoa. Artspace is dedicated to commissioning and presenting new ideas in art and culture. We are artist-centred and aim to facilitate and resource artistic inquiry within a creative, critical and non-commercial environment. Alongside a commitment to artists we endeavour to operate as a cultural hub; fuelling active engagement at a national and international level for a diverse range of communities.

Black Door Gallery is proud to showcase the work of a selected group of talented New Zealand Artists and Designers. Nestled in a charming historic villa in the heart of Parnell, we exhibit a beautiful and ever changing selection of statement paintings, sculpture, ceramics, lighting, glass and jewellery. We are open daily.

An established fine arts gallery in Mt Eden, Auckland representing 100 NZ established and emerging artists. The choice and quality of paintings on offer is often overwhelming for customers visiting this gallery. Prices range from $500 up to $20,000. There is generally something for any serious art collector. All artwork is for sale or rental.

Part film-set. Part creative workshop. But all is not what it seems… Explore an immersive walk-through experience from five-time Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop. Inside these paint-splattered walls, fantastical worlds are brought to life with resident monsters, an alien robot and wildly realistic giants. Enter if you dare. Journey through Weta Workshop’s creative process like you never have before! Step into this fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in-the-making. Explore a fantastical film effects workshop inspired by Wellington’s Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop. Featuring monsters, giants & robots – oh my! From surreal environments and interactive experiences to massive miniatures and monsters-in-the-making, Weta Workshop Unleashed brings together film effects, theatrical design, makers’ craft, and conceptual world-building.

Dive deeper into our maritime history and discover the genius of early Pacific navigators, their great voyages of exploration and the discovery Aotearoa New Zealand. Cruise Auckland’s sparkling Waitemata Harbour in one of our heritage vessels - sailing twice daily. Help the crew hoist the sails or sit back and take in the city skyline. Find out what it takes to win the America’s Cup - from backyard boat-builders to teamwork and race-winning technology. Plus, see one of only seven replicas of the America’s Cup. Immerse yourself in early European immigration and test your sea-legs in the replica 1840s rocking cabin. Bang! Watch from the concourse as our replica cannon fires every day at 12pm into the marina. Soak up our stories of the sea with a complimentary guided tour departing from our ticket desk 10.30am Friday - Sunday.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is New Zealand’s most compelling visual arts experience. Enter between majestic kauri (native tree) columns to explore four floors of exhibitions, seven centuries of art and one of Auckland’s most iconic buildings. Experience world-class touring exhibitions, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of traditional and contemporary international works and discover the largest permanent collection of New Zealand art right in the heart of Auckland city. The Gallery offers a lively calendar of talks, performances, film screenings and children's activities to complement its exhibition programme. Please visit our website to see what’s on. Join a free Gallery tour in English 11.30am and 1.30pm daily. Open daily 10am-5pm (except Christmas Day) and 10am–9pm on Fridays.

Discover and experience Maori culture, with daily cultural shows and an internationally significant Maori and Pacific collection to explore, the Auckland Museum is a must see attraction. Housed in an Iconic building within the grounds of a tranquil park, the Auckland Museum is a place to discover and learn about New Zealand's culture and its natural history. Since 1929, the Museum has served as place of remembrance for the many Aucklanders who have sacrificed their lives in war.

Experience the unique wonders of New Zealand’s southern hemisphere night sky at Stardome. Discover the history and significance to New Zealanders of prominent constellations like the Southern Cross and Matariki, in a live presentation. The sky of the Southern Hemisphere contains beautiful star clusters, gas cloud nebulae and star patterns that can only be seen from this latitude. Experience the unique wonders of New Zealand’s southern night sky at Stardome Observatory & Planetarium.

Walk through our front gate of our Living Museum and step into the pages of a colonial history book. Explore the early settlement of Howick as it was in the mid to late 1800s. Open the doors of real homes and experience living history for yourself. See how the early settlers would have lived as they went about their daily activities. Better still, come along to one of our monthly "Meet the Villagers" Days where you will get the opportunity to interact with costumed villagers. Explore the heritage garden, have a picnic on the lawn or relax with home-style food and coffee in our cafe. And please ask questions of our volunteers on site. We love to share our knowledge of local history.

Mangere Mountain has stood tall for over 18,000 years. This unique Geopark close to the city takes you a world away. The site of an historic Maori settlement, it offers panoramic views over the city. It also gives an intriguing glimpse into the past. Join a guided walk. Encounter a unique volcanic lava dome, see traditional Maori gardens, learn about medicinal plants, try your hand at crafts.