101 free things to do in Auckland
There's loads to do in Auckland even when you're on a budget. moneyhub has put together a list of 101 fantastic Auckland experiences, attractions and adventures. This list omits basic options like "read a book in a library", "walk Queen Street" and other suggestions you'll find on other websites. We've also purposely avoided mentioning the Victoria Park Village.
Instead, we've focused on unearthing some under-explored (and much underrated) attractions that you'll love to bits.
If you have a hot tip we've missed let us know - email our team about it.
Instead, we've focused on unearthing some under-explored (and much underrated) attractions that you'll love to bits.
If you have a hot tip we've missed let us know - email our team about it.
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Free Museums
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Quirky AttractionsClimb Auckland’s Volcanoes -
K-Road during the day - fashion, second-hand shops, art galleries, and cafes. Parnell Village Wynyard Quarter - strolling around the continuously evolving cultural and dining area is fascinating - the rengeneration projects are a stand alone attraction in their own right. Explore the backstreets (near the Auckland Fish Market) before it changes forever. Te Tuhi Gallery Artspace exhibitions and talk - this K-road gallery programs a number of free talks every year. Emerging Pixels - features art work from digital and interactive artists, programmed annually in the Bruce Mason Centre in Aotea Square. Walk Ponsonby Road - start at either the Three Lamps (Jervois Road) or K-Road (Great North Road) and wander along at a gentle pace. You'll see quirky shops, high end fashion, time-forgotten bars and everything in between. Ponsonby road has something for everyone and is well worth an afternoon. Walk K-Road - if you've walked Ponsonby Road, K-Road is edgier and worth a visit at night even if you're not planning a night out. St Kevins arcade is a standout stop, and you can drop into the breezy Myers Park for a stroll. Devonport - Mt Eden - |
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Wildlife & NatureGannet Colony at Muriwai Beach
Goat Island Tawharanui Open Sanctuary - a stunning.... Arataki Visitor Centre - rainforest and black sand beaches await, and you can walk the renowned Hillary Trail too. Walk in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park - it's huge, with over 250km of walking trails. Take care, water and a phone and venture - highlights include.... Rangitoto Island - it's free to visit, but you'll need to pay for a ferry or kayak over. Once you get onshore, the volcanic marvels await - there is lots of rock. Along the shoreline are historic cribs that must be removed once the owner dies as the island returns to human-free. Climb to the summit and take in the panoramic views. |
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Beach & BushSwim at the beach - Auckland is a city of beaches after all. Beyond the favourites like Mission Bay and Piha, look out visiting Long Bay (lots of parking) and Takapuna (good waves). Aucklanders (and sadly, including the moneyhub team) don't visit the beach as much as you'd expect so they're usually quiet.
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park Parry Kauri Park Awhitu Peninsula - located in south west Auckland, this wild area has something for everyone. Stroll along the coast and spend the day in this unexplored and underrated wilderness KareKare Water Falls - |
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Free Things to do with KidsAmbury Park and Farm - best from late spring until late summer, kids will love seeing all the animals and roaming the open fields.
http://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/our-gardens/potter-childrens-garden/ |
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Parks and Recreation: Great Auckland Walks and moreParklife
Cornwall Park Parnell Rose Gardens - tucked away from the main village, the rose garden is home to the oldest manuka tree and the largest pohutukawa in Auckland, as well as a small beach. The Auckland Domain - Auckland's oldest park with a massive 75 hectares. Our picks are the Winter gardens and the array of tropical plants, the walk down from Newmarket into the "valley" - getting lost and exploring blindly is recommended. Albert Park - located beside the University of Auckland, the ponds and flowers make it a perfect break from the concrete CBD. Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park - the founder of the welfare state has a beautiful park named in his honor. Oakley Creek Falls - waterfalls within Auckland do exist. |
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Historical AucklandPah Homestead
Otuataua Stonefields - one of the few remaining volcanic areas, a calming area with lots of birds and open space. North Head Lookout and Tunnels - New Zealand's premier defense fortification, wander around the gun emplacements and explore the extensive tunnel complex. Manukau Heads Lighthouse - explore high above the wild ocean below and try to find a dolphin in the sea Fort Takapuna - known colloquially as "The Russian Scare Fort", extensive bunker complex Free walking tours - every morning, see Auckland from a new perspective and learn about history you probably didn't know. |
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MarketsOtara Flea Market
City Farmers’ Market at Britomart Auckland Night Markets Clevedon Farmers Market Auckland Tourist Market on Sunday is held in the iconic 'Cloud' structure by the ferry terminal on Quay Street. The City Farmers' Market takes place downtown in the Britomart precinct offering live music and fresh produce on Saturdays. |
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Dramatic VistasDevonport Cycle (or walk) the Pink Path - award winning for its design, this cycle route delivers stunning vistas of the city day or night. Stroll along Tamaki Drive - you'll take in the best of Auckland's harbour as well as the north shore as you stroll to a beach of your choice. Bastion Point - overlooking Mission Bay, take in panoramic views of Auckland. Climb Lion’s Rock at Piha Beach - Piha is a place you can easily spend a day, and climbing the magical Lion's Rock is a great way to get a view of the surrounding area. Climb Mount Eden - once a volcano, now a grassed over mound that provides fantastic city views for those who make it to the top. Long Bay Regional Park - walk from the car park towards the Vaughan Historic Homestead - you don't have any altitude but cross the river and follow the nature trails for a spectacular panoramic view over the length of Long Bay. |
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For Culture VulturesSilo Cinema at Silo Park (Summer) - free movies every Friday and Saturday night under the stars at the Viaduct is a great initiative. Recent films screened include....
Auckland Council's Movies In Parks Check free events: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/tour/2009/free-events/in/auckland |
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Free Live MusicAuckland Council’s Music in Parks
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Free FestivalsTāmaki Herenga Waka Festival (Late January) - a FREE 3 day family-friendly festival celebrating Māori heritage and the culture of Tāmaki Makarau (the Māori name for Auckland).
Auckland Lantern Festival (February) - a huge festival coinciding with Chinese New Year, Albert Park lights up with lanterns. Events include music and dance performances as well as plenty of food. . Pasifika Festival (March) - perhaps Auckland's biggest festival, Pasifka showcases Pacific culture and merchandise, representing Pacific Island you know (Samoa, Cook Islands) and ones you may not (Tuvalu, Kiribati and Niue). Auckland Festival (March) - many free events are included in the annual lineup, with past events ranging from fireworks and circus to open air theatre. |
Coming soon
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HeadingViaduct Harbour - while its primary purpose is a hub for restaurants and bars, it's worth an hour to see the city of sails in full swing. We recommend walking harbour side, from the Hilton to the Sofitel, to see yachts of all shapes and sizes.
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Best Places for a PicnicOne Tree Hill
Takapuna Beach Mount Victoria Mission Bay |
