History · Auckland · New Zealand
6 historic sites to see in Auckland
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingolfson, Public domain
Quick answer
Start with Auckland War Memorial Museum, Maungawhau / Mount Eden and Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 12–15 hours across 6 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 12–15 hours
- Areas
- Auckland Domain, Mount Eden and Epsom
Historic sites in Auckland
Museum · Auckland Domain
1.Auckland War Memorial Museum
Daily Māori cultural performances are held in the museum.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Mount Eden
2.Maungawhau / Mount Eden
Vehicles are no longer allowed at the summit, so the walk up is quiet, and the view sweeps across both harbours and dozens of other volcanic cones.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- History
Park · Epsom
3.Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park
An obelisk marks the summit, with views across the Manukau Harbour, and the park's café and visitor centre explain the area's history.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- History
- Outdoors
Historic site · Devonport
4.Devonport and Maungauika / North Head
The lookout views across to the city and Rangitoto are some of the best in Auckland.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
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Museum · Western Springs
5.MOTAT – Museum of Transport and Technology
It is one of Auckland's best wet-weather stops for families.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · City Centre
6.New Zealand Maritime Museum
On Hobson Wharf at the Viaduct, the museum traces New Zealand's seafaring story from Polynesian voyaging canoes and early immigrant ships to the America's Cup, including the yacht KZ1 and a re-creation of a cramped 19th-century settler cabin.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland Domain | Auckland War Memorial Museum | 2–3 hours |
| Mount Eden | Maungawhau / Mount Eden | 1–1.5 hours |
| Epsom | Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park | 2 hours |
| Devonport | Devonport and Maungauika / North Head | Half a day |
| Western Springs | MOTAT – Museum of Transport and Technology | 2–3 hours |
| City Centre | New Zealand Maritime Museum | 1.5 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 3 free, 3 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Devonport and Maungauika / North Head; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Auckland Domain and Mount Eden): Auckland War Memorial Museum → Maungawhau / Mount Eden, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Epsom): Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Devonport): Devonport and Maungauika / North Head, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Western Springs and City Centre): MOTAT – Museum of Transport and Technology → New Zealand Maritime Museum, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- May: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cooler and wetter, with crisp clear days between showers and lower hotel rates.
- September: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds. Spring arrives with blossom and lambs in Cornwall Park, though wind and showers are frequent.
- June: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds. Winter brings rain and wind but rarely real cold; a good time for museums and food.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Devonport — Seaside village of villas and volcano lookouts, a 12-minute ferry ride from downtown
- Mount Eden — Leafy residential suburb under Maungawhau, with a café village on Mount Eden Road
More of Auckland
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Auckland?
Auckland War Memorial Museum. The neoclassical museum on Pukekawa hill in the Domain houses major Māori and Pacific collections, including the carved meeting house Hotunui and the war canoe Te Toki a Tapiri, alongside natural history galleries with moa skeletons and a volcano gallery, and New Zealand's war memorial halls.
+Which of these are free in Auckland?
Maungawhau / Mount Eden, Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park and Devonport and Maungauika / North Head.