Auckland is the home of GOOT, As much as we love to Get Out Of Town we love this city too! While you're here make the most of all the great things the city has to offer. We are adding a number of GOOT Partners to the Passport so check the
GOOT Map, Zoom-in to Auckland and see what we add in the coming months.
Short on cash? Stuck in Auckland? Here is your guide to free activities to do in and around Auckland. Get out of your flat!
Auckland has heaps of festivals and special events hosted by the Auckland City Council , especially in the summer. They also have free concerts and movies in the park every week in the summer.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum located in the Auckland Domain is pretty impressive. Entrance is by donation ($5 is recommended) and the museum has excellent displays and information covering NZ’s natural history, the people of the Pacific (with extensive coverage of Maori culture), and NZ war stories. The museum is more interactive than most and also boasts a café and a good shop (perfect for quality NZ gifts).
The Auckland Art Gallery on Kitchener Street has an extensive collection of national and international art. There is a free public gallery and a range of ever changing exhibitions. Check out their website to see what’s currently showing. Reuben’s café in the Main Gallery is also good.
The Auckland City Library is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon out without droping any cash, located at 44 - 46 Lorne Street, Auckland.
Go for a run! The city has loads of scenic inner city routes which will take you through parks and historic sites. Find a route.
Not a fan of running? Go for a walk. Mt Eden is the highest volcanic cone in Auckland (196 metres) and provides 360 degree views of the entire Auckland region. There are some nice forested tracks and open spaces in the Auckland Domain, and the Parnell rose gardens are also a good place to hang out. For those with a bit more energy the walk along Tamaki Drive will take you to some of Auckland’s best inner-city beaches. If you are really keen check out The Coast to Coast Walkway.
Check out Aucklander Bruce Wilkinson's treasures at the Bruce Wilkinson Collection at the Albert Park House in Princes Street's historic Albert Park. You'll find all sorts of clocks, music boxes, jewelery, mirrors and other souvenirs from his travels in Europe and Asia in the 1930s to 1960s. Call 09 357 1475 for viewing times. Free.
Like art? Galleries are a great way to see some current NZ art for free! You'll find everything from bone carving to contemporary art. Check out a listing of Auckland galleries and start exploring!
Go to the beach! Close to Auckland the best beaches are found along Tamaki Drive. The first one you get to is Okahu Bay, then Mission Bay, Kohimarama Beach and then St Heliers. If you continue up and around the headland you will find Ladies Bay. This is a nudist beach but has the best swimming at low tide. At mid to high tide all the others offer good safe swimming. Alternatively if you catch the ferry to Devonport you can access Cheltenham and Narrowneck beaches which are also good. A bus across the bridge to Takapuna opens up more options including Takapuna and Milford beaches. At some stage you must check out the wild West Coast beaches (see 1 day trips section).
If you prefer to swim indoors then there are good pools at the Olympic Pool in Newmarket and at Parnell Baths (closed in winter).
Here are a few more cool things to do in the area if you have a little cash to discover Auckland.
Auckland’s
Stardome Observatory on the slopes of One Tree Hill won't just Get you Out Of Town but Get Off The Planet (GOTP?!) This is NZ’s best astronomy attraction and being a GOOT Partner means GOOT Passport Holders get
15% OFF!
Auckland Zoo is a fun place to spend a morning or afternoon. Here you will find a range of animals including giraffes, hippos, elephants, seals, monkeys etc.. plus the opportunity to see NZ kiwi birds in the nocturnal house. In summer the Zoo music series sees well known kiwi bands playing regular concerts at the zoo. Entrance is $19 ($14 for students with ID).
The views from the observation deck of the Sky Tower are awesome (both day and night) and provide an interesting perspective of the city. At 328 metres the tower is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere and is worth the $25 ($15 for students) admission. Alternatively book a table at the Orbit restaurant and the price of admission is included with your meal.
Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World on Tamaki Drive is pretty cool. Built in old stormwater holding tanks Kelly Tarlton’s boasts an impressive collection of sharks, stingrays and penguins (in the Antartic Encounter). Admission is $29.90 ($23 for students with ID) and if you book online, you'll save 10%.
Discover New Zealand's Maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum at the Corner Quay and Hobson Streets in the Viaduct Harbour. Entry adults $16/students $9. Take a free tour with an experienced and knowledgeable volunteer guide. Tours run at 10:30am and 1:00pm, from Sunday to Friday.
The MOTAT (Museum of Transportation and Technology) covers the transportation history of New Zealand from trains and tramways to roads and aviation. Adults $14.
Do as the locals do.
A rugby game is a great way to get out and experience New Zealand's favorite game! All Blacks play starting in June, but cheaper tickets can be found for Blues or Warriors games for as little as $12, season starting in March.
There are lots of marathons, or shorter organised fun runs and walks in the city. Most of them have a fee for entering which goes directly to a chosen charity. See what's coming up and start training!
Lilliputt Minigolf, 3 Tamaki Drive Hobson Bay offers 18 holes of mini-golf for $10 ($8 for students). And you can't pass up 2 beers for $5 in between holes!
Newmarket Tenpin Bowling offers a student discount and a special rate of $10 for two games from Monday to Thursday, Friday (before 8pm) and Sunday.
SkyCity Cinemas has Cheap As Tuesdays where you'll pay half price ($10) for a movie.
How about trying out an introductory yoga class? Most studios offer $20 drop-in classes, but for those looking for something a little less expensive, try these: East West Bikram Yoga at 8 Alma Street in Parnell offers Bikram (hot) yoga $10 for first class, second class free within 7 days. The Yoga Academy offers Hatha and Ashtanga yoga $10 for first class and $16 after that for casual classes at 190 Federal St, Central City Auckland. The Loft has yoga class plus a gourmet vegan dinner for $14 (students). What a deal!
Explore one of Aucklands many markets. You'll be astounded by the artisan goods, fresh produce and hand-made crafts!
The Victoria Park Market on Victoria Street West is open from 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week and provides a unique shopping experience. There are also restaurants, an international food court and often live music.
At the Otara Market you'll find all sorts of Pacific Island crafts, jewelry, fruits and vegetables and other Polynesian snacks while Pacific music plays for all to hear. The bus to Otara Road takes about 45 minutes from central Auckland.
The St Heliers Art & Craft Market sells everything from fresh vegetables, tropical sea shells and children's fancy dress costumes to original art works, and designer gemstone jewellery. Open the 1st and 3rd Sunday each month from 10am to 4pm. Located on Turua St, St Heliers Bay Auckland New Zealand, 25 minutes by bus from central Auckland.
For a market you can walk to try the Aotea Square Market which has colourful tents housing neat crafts, new and vintage clothing, and plenty of food. Located at the entertainment complex The Edge, Queen Street Auckland near the intersection of Queen street and Wellesley St. Open every Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
La Cigale is a French-style farmer's market on 69 St Georges Bay Rd in Parnell open Saturdays 8am - 1pm and Sundays 9 am - 2 pm. There is also a smaller market on Wednesdays 12 noon - 6pm. This is a good place to buy gifts, specialty breads and fresh seasonal fruits.
If it's a rainy Sunday, Alexandra Market is and indoor farmer's market and open Sundays 9am-1pm. You'll find fresh food and artisan products including fresh produce, lavender and olive oils, hand crafted chocolate, and lots more. Located on Campbell Crescent inside the twin stables complex of the Alexandra Park Trotting Grounds in Epsom. Take the bus to Manukau Road and walk to Campbell Crescent. The bus takes roughly 25 minutes from central Auckland.
The Auckland Fish Market is open 7 days 7am-7pm and sells fresh fish, fruit, veges, deli goods and meat. Located at the corner of Daldy St & Madden St, Central Auckland, a 5 minute walk from lower Queen Street.
Central City Buses:
The City Circuit is a free bus service provided around the central city. Look out for the red environmentally friendly hybrid buses that operate every 10 minutes 7 days a week.
To go slightly further afield the Link bus service provides a convenient way to get around the greater central city. This service operates in both directions and runs every 10 minutes during the week and every 15 minutes on weekends. The cost is only $1.60.
Greater Auckland Buses:
Hundreds of buses operate within and around Auckland – for details see the link below.
Trains, buses and ferries For more information and journey planning for buses, trains and ferries in Auckland City use the MAXX Transport Planner website. Other useful sites are www.fullers.co.nz & www.sealink.co.nz for ferries.
Taxis You will find taxi ranks all around the city centre. Alternatively they are free to hail a taxi but they will only stop if they are empty – the best thing to do is find a taxi rank. Of course you can also order a taxi. There are a number of taxi companies in Auckland:
Co-operative Taxis: 300 3000
Alert Taxis: 309 2000
