Eight free things to do in Auckland

Last Updated : 19 Jul 2018
8 free things to do in Auckland (1)
Auckland Botanic Gardens

Here are some ideas on how to get the best of Auckland – and do it all for free:   

  1. Explore Auckland Museum or the Maritime Museum

Free for Aucklanders with proof of address, Auckland War Memorial Museum is the place to visit for an afternoon of educational fun. Look out for exciting exhibitions, special events and tours, or just let your feet do the walking!

You can also head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum on the waterfront for a nautical trip through history. It's also free for Aucklanders.

Eight free things to do in Auckland (1)
Auckland War Memorial Museum
  1. Visit Auckland Botanic Gardens

This gem of south Auckland is the perfect place for a brisk stroll around the lakes or relax and be inspired by more than 10,000 plants from around the world.

There are always plenty of workshops to get your hands dirty at and exhibitions to explore. Visit Auckland Botanic Gardens to find out more!

  1. Make the most of your local library or kick back at home with an ebook

There’s no easier way to travel to another country, world or dimension than with a book in hand.

You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your sofa with Overdrive, Auckland Libraries’ collection of eBooks, covering more than 40,000 fiction and non-fiction titles. 

8 free things to do in Auckland
  1. Climb a maunga

You don’t have to travel very far to visit one of Auckland’s Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains). Pack a good pair of shoes for a short hike to some of the most stunning views across the region.

  1. Visit an arts centre

Visit one of Auckland’s galleries for the perfect rainy afternoon activity and experience visual art experiences, touring exhibitions, traditional carvings, performances and much more. Check out our list

Eight free things to do in Auckland
Nathan Homestead
  1. Try a new bike ride this weekend

If you're thinking of getting on your bike, there are hundreds of rides around Auckland you can try. Auckland Transport has created the perfect cycling map to match your interests – just pick a map, download the PDF and you're ready to go. Get started

  1. Chase down a waterfall

We’ve made it easy for you with this handy list of waterfalls in our beautiful backyard. Find out where to chase waterfalls

Where to chase waterfalls in Auckland (3)
  1. Learn new skills with Lynda.com

It’s never too late to learn something new or brush up on a long-forgotten skill. With your Auckland Libraries’ membership, you can access Lynda.com, a popular online training provider.

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