New Zealand · MUSEUM VISITS IN AUCKLAND
Summer fills these weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 9 to lock in before you fly, what each includes and where they differ.
Review of Auckland War Memorial Museum, with practical tips on exhibits, access, value, closures, parking, and how long to stay.
“lots of exhibits. factual.imagine section excellent. liked idea of children's imaginary area”
Explore Sculptureum near Auckland, with three sculpture gardens, six galleries, quirky art, wine, dining, and flat paths for all ages.
“The artwork and glass art inside the building is fabulous. The gardens and the sculptures are beautiful. The driftwood sculptures of the horses and the whale are amazing. The bronze sculptures were just lovely. I loved the boy pushing the girl on the swing. The sculpture of the boy holding the dolphin is apparently an early work by Leonardo Da Vinci and is quite stunning.”
Explore three floors of Māori, Pacific, natural history, and wartime exhibits at Auckland Museum with flexible general admission.
“Nice to be able to skip the line, but the line is actually not very long and the staff is a bit unfamiliar with the process of redeeming the tickets. The museum is good, with lots of references and artifacts related to Maori culture. Serve as a good introduction for someone to start delving into the very local part of New Zealand.”
Review of Auckland Museum’s Māori Cultural Experience, including haka, poi, waiata, museum admission, value, timing, and practical tips.
“Museum excellent, and the show was nicely done; however there were only 4 Maori performers (not the 8 advertised).”
Explore Māori song, poi, storytelling, and haka at Auckland Museum, with all-day admission, practical tips, access details, and honest value advice.
“I absolutely love watching the Maori dance and sing. This was the best performance I have seen as the told the story to the dance so you knew what they were dancing and singing to. The group also did some jokes as well as showed the audience what types of weapons they had and what they were used for. I would definitely go back and see this performance again.”
Review of Auckland’s Maritime Museum, with Pacific migration, Maori traditions, shipping, America’s Cup design, practical tips, and value advice.
“Great museum and beautifully designed. We were lucky to be there while the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was underway ~ so it was exciting and great location to watch the race.”
Review of Auckland Museum’s Gallery Highlights Tour, covering Māori culture, Pacific navigation, natural history, war exhibits, value, access, and tips.
“A perfect blend of culture, history, and natural science. The Māori and Pacific Island exhibits were beautifully presented and deeply moving, with stunning carvings and traditional artefacts that really brought the stories to life.”
Review of Auckland’s private night tour, with Devonport, Harbour Bridge, SkyBar cocktail, marina views, museum stop, and practical booking tips.
“Great personalised experience, Carlos remained flexible and we went and viewed some boats , as we discovered interests in chatting!”
Explore Auckland’s harbour, Mt Eden, museum, and Wintergardens on a small-group cultural tour with guide Sam.
“Sam is very personable and takes great care to ensure that the customers are safe and well entertained. He also offered to take pictures and was excellent at doing so.”
Pick a coast, a crater or a cellar door.
