Visitors often overlook the beautiful art Auckland has to offer, mainly due to its size and booming metropolis. This post lists eight activities that anyone can do with different needs in mind, from someone interested in local galleries, cultural trails that show off the natural beauty of New Zealand, or a tourist seeking out world-class pieces from artists around the world.
1. The Auckland Art Gallery
The Auckland Art Gallery, located in the Central Business District, has been running for over a century. It has seen many changes in its time, from a museum and gallery for public display to an art university to change its focus on the art of the current Auckland area. It has undergone a major facelift in the past year and now hosts several new artists every month. The gallery is conveniently placed close to many public transport options, so getting around the city is easy. It also has an excellent shuttle service that goes right through Queen Street, where most of the shopping is done in Auckland.
The Auckland Art Gallery’s collection is extensive and showcases works from several different periods. This is all the more impressive considering that only about 70% of New Zealanders have ever seen art in museums and galleries, so the Auckland Art Gallery is an excellent start for anyone wanting to see more of it in person.
2. Clevedon Arts Trail
This trail is very much a hidden gem, in that it is less well known than the Auckland Art Gallery or The Toi o Tāmaki and has not received much attention or publicity. However, it is an excellent subject for anyone interested in seeing art from around the world brought to New Zealand by international artists, as well as doing something to help preserve and protect the country’s local art.
Furthermore, the Clevedon Arts Trail has many events and activities every step of the way, so people can fit their trip in with their day. Many different types of art are on display here, such as sculpture and the fine arts.
3. Auckland City Mission shows
The Auckland City Mission’s shows are an excellent option for anyone interested in seeing a highly diverse range of visual art on display. They also offer plenty of benefits to the homeless community, which is the one they focus on. These shows are often in high demand, so it is best to go to their website and make a reservation if you want to see any of them.
The Auckland City Mission holds many open houses every year and often has shows that provide a great insight into the struggles of the homeless community living in Auckland, such as addiction and abuse. It provides its audience with a unique opportunity that cannot be found elsewhere in the city.
4. Explore Arts On Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is a beautiful part of Auckland that city dwellers often ignore. Luckily, though, there are many different ways to explore the arts on this island, from visiting art galleries and museums to going on scenic bike rides. It also hosts several festivals every year that are worth going to.
The island is also home to several world-class artists and their work, such as sculptures and people who work in wood. This is something worth taking in if you get a chance.
5. Auckland War Memorial Museum
The Auckland War Memorial Museum is an excellent place for anyone interested in history, as it showcases the era when New Zealand first made contact with the rest of the world, as well as a large number of exhibits from all across New Zealand’s history, from early Maori settlements to modern times. The museum also has several shuttle buses that run through and around the city, including down Queen Street and over to Parnell and Ponsonby. It is an excellent way to see Auckland from both sides of the city limits.
6. Experience Outdoor Arts
The outdoors is full of fantastic art as well, especially if you are lucky enough to be near some beautiful landscape. Outdoor arts activities are something that people should look into doing in Auckland. For instance, there is a large forest in the Mission Bay area that has several incredible sculptures made by world-class artists on display. Another option would be to go to one of the parks and enjoy a picnic in the park.
Drive to the Matakana wine region, where you can enjoy a winery tour at one of the many vineyards, or simply stop by the outdoor art display and walk through the Brick Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail. Lastly, people can head out on kayaking trips and explore marine life in the Waitemata Harbour.
7. Pah Homestead
This house is one of the most exciting places to visit in Auckland, and not just because of its historical value. The house’s environment contains many beautiful pieces of art that give it a unique atmosphere. It also has an amazing garden where people can relax. There is also a museum dedicated to its history that displays many rare items from across New Zealand’s history. These include items from the actual house and work from other artists around the country and around the world.
8. Discover Maori Culture
There are many places to go if you want to learn more about Maori culture in New Zealand. One of the best is the Kura Gallery in downtown Auckland. This museum has a great number of exhibits that showcase traditional art from around New Zealand throughout its history, as well as artifacts from other periods. It holds many festivals throughout the year that highlight this art and help people understand a lot more about its significance and meaning.
Another option for learning about Maori culture is the Auckland Museum, which is also an excellent museum in itself. The museum has exhibits from all around the country’s history, all of which showcase art from many different areas and cultures, including Maori. Additionally, the museum has a great number of galleries dedicated to the various art forms of New Zealand today, such as contemporary visual art.
Wrapping Up
Auckland has many great options for art lovers, from the city to areas outside the city. It would be a shame to visit and not see any of them because this is one of those rare cities that retains its culture while allowing people to become part of it and enjoy it fully, even if they are not from there.
