New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland (must see)
Set right on Hobson Wharf next to Viaduct Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa is water, wood, stories, and sails all rolled into one. Opened in 1993, it traces Aotearoa鈥檚 oceanic connections from M膩ori navigation and early Polynesian voyaging, through European arrivals, up to modern sailing legends like America鈥檚 Cup.
Inside, you鈥檒l find permanent galleries that showcase M膩ori vessels and navigation, coastal trading, whaling histories, immigration, and the tools and tales of harbour trades. There are rotating exhibits too. Many explore art, ship figureheads, and vibrant storytelling through scrimshaw and maritime painting. For families, there are hands-on booths where kids can design toy yachts, weather digital storms, or step into a 鈥瀊ach鈥� replica to experience classic Kiwi holiday vibes.
Outside, the museum has a fleet of heritage vessels. You can sail aboard Ted Ashby, a replica scow that offers one-hour sails around Waitemat膩 Harbour nearly every day, or take shorter steamy trips on SS Puke when scheduled. Be warned: things get salty and windy, but the view of the city from the water is unbeatable.
Did you know? The steam crane Rapaki, once towering in Lyttelton after being built in Scotland in 1926, was moved to the museum and served as both exhibit and breakwater 鈥� until parts of it were removed in 2018 during harbour upgrades. (Parts remain, but the full crane is no longer intact.)
Mid-morning or early afternoon is perfect when galleries are fresh and sail-times are scheduled. Snap some shots, step aboard a heritage boat, and let the sea-borne stories of New Zealand anchor themselves in your memory.
Inside, you鈥檒l find permanent galleries that showcase M膩ori vessels and navigation, coastal trading, whaling histories, immigration, and the tools and tales of harbour trades. There are rotating exhibits too. Many explore art, ship figureheads, and vibrant storytelling through scrimshaw and maritime painting. For families, there are hands-on booths where kids can design toy yachts, weather digital storms, or step into a 鈥瀊ach鈥� replica to experience classic Kiwi holiday vibes.
Outside, the museum has a fleet of heritage vessels. You can sail aboard Ted Ashby, a replica scow that offers one-hour sails around Waitemat膩 Harbour nearly every day, or take shorter steamy trips on SS Puke when scheduled. Be warned: things get salty and windy, but the view of the city from the water is unbeatable.
Did you know? The steam crane Rapaki, once towering in Lyttelton after being built in Scotland in 1926, was moved to the museum and served as both exhibit and breakwater 鈥� until parts of it were removed in 2018 during harbour upgrades. (Parts remain, but the full crane is no longer intact.)
Mid-morning or early afternoon is perfect when galleries are fresh and sail-times are scheduled. Snap some shots, step aboard a heritage boat, and let the sea-borne stories of New Zealand anchor themselves in your memory.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Auckland. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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New Zealand Maritime Museum on Map
Sight Name: New Zealand Maritime Museum
Sight Location: Auckland, New Zealand (See walking tours in Auckland)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Auckland, New Zealand (See walking tours in Auckland)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Auckland, New Zealand
Create Your Own Walk in Auckland
Creating your own self-guided walk in Auckland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ponsonby Walking Tour
Ponsonby is one of Auckland鈥檚 most vibrant neighborhoods, known for its lively atmosphere, stylish boutiques, and buzzing caf茅 culture. Just minutes from the city center, this historic suburb blends old-world charm with modern flair, featuring beautifully restored Victorian villas alongside contemporary shops, art galleries, and design studios. It鈥檚 a favorite destination for those seeking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Auckland Introduction Walking Tour
Perched between harbours, volcanoes, and sea lanes, Auckland 鈥� known in M膩ori as T膩maki Makaurau (鈥瀌esired by many鈥�) 鈥� has a story that鈥檚 equal parts ancestral land, colonial ambition, and modern melting pot. Long before European settlers ever arrived, the region鈥檚 volcanic cones and fertile isthmus were home to M膩ori tribes (especially Ng膩ti Wh膩tua and Waiohua). These original... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Parnell Introduction Walking Tour
Parnell, Auckland鈥檚 oldest suburb, is a charming blend of history, culture, and modern lifestyle. Just minutes from the city center, it is known for its beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings that now house boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes. One of the suburb鈥檚 highlights is Parnell Road, the main street lined with stylish eateries, fashion boutiques, and specialty... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Auckland Historical Buildings Tour
Auckland, New Zealand may not be known as a historical city, but it does contain some historical buildings all right. These old structures, dating back to the 19th century, reflect the diverse heritage and architectural evolution of the city and are cherished as landmarks.
The Ferry Building, an iconic waterfront edifice, is a fine example of Edwardian Baroque style. Built in 1912, it once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
The Ferry Building, an iconic waterfront edifice, is a fine example of Edwardian Baroque style. Built in 1912, it once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Kiwi Things to Buy in Auckland
Although closer than it used to be, courtesy of 鈥淭he Lord of the Rings鈥� movie trilogy, New Zealand still remains below 鈥淒own Under鈥� to many. If you're privileged to visit Auckland, make sure to bring home something memorable to 鈥渆xtend鈥� your trip. Here are some ideas for signature...