The 9 best free things to do in Auckland

Auckland has enough to fill even the most demanding traveler’s itinerary. But New Zealand’s largest city isn’t the most budget-friendly place to visit, and dining out and cultural activities are often on the pricier side. Free up some funds and take advantage of Auckland's wealth of natural beauty at parks, beaches and native forests that are all free to visit.

You’ll also find an extensive program of free activities during the summer months (January to April), most of which are well suited to visitors traveling with kids and will give you some insight into local life in Aotearoa (New Zealand’s Māori language name) at some of the city’s less tourist-focused attractions. Here are some of the best free things to do in Auckland.

Advertisement

Art and cultural experiences

1. Listen to music in a park

Between January and March, one of the most enjoyable things to do in Auckland is to head to a park with a picnic and listen to music in the sun, and these council-organized Music in Parks events are free to attend. Relax on blankets on a warm summer evening while locals catch up with friends, people watch and appreciate the music. There’s dancing, good vibes and perhaps a glass of wine, depending on the venue.

Ranging from hip-hop, rock and pop to live bands and DJs, these events happen at different parks each weekend, so check the program to see who is performing where and when. Take a big blanket, sunscreen, drinks and snacks, then settle in to listen to the performance.

2. Admire local art

Auckland’s art scene is on display at large and small galleries and museums around the city. The Arts House Trust at Pah Homestead in Monte Cecilia Park exhibits contemporary and mixed-media art, along with photography. The surrounding park is also beautiful to explore, with large expanses of grass and tree-lined avenues reminiscent of an English countryside estate. Another option is Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Art Gallery in West Auckland, where you will find a wide selection of contemporary art, ceramics and displays from Māori and Pasifika artists. While you’re there, explore the scenic village of Titirangi, tucked into the native bush. Entry to both galleries is by donation.

Free for New Zealand residents (and with a small fee for visitors), the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in the city center has the largest collection of public art in the country. On display: work by international artists, a century's worth of New Zealand art, pieces from the Pacific islands and visiting exhibitions.

3. Be mesmerized by a twilight open-air cinema

At parks and beaches throughout the city, Auckland Council’s Movies in Parks series screens classics and recent releases on giant inflatable screens. Arrive early to secure a good spot and feel the sense of anticipation build as people arrive. Bring a picnic to keep costs down, or you can get provisions from on-site food trucks. Then when it gets dark, lie back and watch the film.

Advertisement

Movies in Parks runs in various green spaces throughout Auckland from January to March. There are also regular open-air film screenings at Takapuna Beach, North West town center, Silo Park and Western Springs reserve.

Outdoor activities on land

4. Hike one of the Waitākere Ranges trails

If you’re ready to escape into nature, head to Arataki, the gateway to the Waitākere Ranges, home to stunning walks through unspoiled native bush. Start at the Arataki Visitor Centre, where you will be welcomed by an impressive pou, a post made from a kauri tree and carved with figures of Māori ancestors relevant to the area. Intricate whakairo (carvings) embellish both the exterior and interior. Inside the center you’ll find a huge amount of information about the native trees and plants in the Waitākere Ranges, as well as small exhibits and activities for children.

When you venture back outside, wander through the viewing platforms behind the center for remarkable views of Manukau Harbor. A number of trails start at the visitors center, including a short walk to the Kauri Cathedral, a viewing platform surrounded by towering kauri trees, or longer loops through the forest. On the nature trail, you can learn how to identify native trees and plants.

Large sections of the park are closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback, a disease spread through soil that kills native kauri trees. Check which walks are open in the Waitākere Ranges before setting out.

5. Spot native birdlife at Western Springs Park

Take a break from the city at Western Springs Park, one of Auckland’s most popular green spaces. Close to the zoo, Western Springs Park was one of Auckland’s early sources of water, and you can still see the Victorian pump house at the nearby Museum of Transport and Technology (affectionately dubbed MOTAT). Today, the nature reserve is a pleasant place for a walk around the lake or over boardwalk-lined wetlands. Rolling lawns make for a perfect spot to stop and rest, and a playground caters to kiddos.

6. Cycle (or stroll) the pink path

Cross the city center in style by cycling on a psychedelic pink pathway, one of central Auckland’s brightest attractions. A disused motorway off-ramp has been given a second life as a bike route, connecting the upper city center with the harbor. Cycle, walk or scoot down the bikeway, then walk along Britomart and back up Queen St to turn it into a loop, stopping for coffee or a snack along the way. It is particularly impressive at night, when the pink path is lit with multicolored LED lights.

7. Climb to the top of a lighthouse for epic views

The Manukau Heads Lighthouse was built in 1874 to help ships navigate the sometimes treacherous Manukau Harbor (a decade earlier, a shipwreck caused 189 casualties). Today, shipwrecks are all but a distant memory. Instead visitors are greeted with panoramic views when they reach the top, surrounded by forest and sea. You can also walk inside the lighthouse and learn more about the shipwreck that led to its construction.

The route to the lighthouse involves a trip to the Āwhitu Peninsula, a remote place of rolling pastures and coastal views that extends to the entrance of Manukau Harbor. Take a leisurely drive to the very tip of the peninsula, where you’ll find the lovingly restored lighthouse.

Water-based activities

8. Splash in the historic Parnell Baths

Admission to the seasonal Parnell Baths is less than 10 New Zealand dollars for adults and free for children, and swimming in the saltwater pools makes for a fun day out. Over 100 years old, the open-air complex has a stunning setting just a short walk from the city center, with beautiful views over the harbor. It’s a pleasure to spend the day poolside or swimming laps in the large outdoor pool. There is also a water playground for kids, as well as hot tubs if you want a more relaxing experience.

9. Swim or snorkel at the beach

Beach days in Auckland are synonymous with hot weather, cool ocean breezes and long stretches of sand that look across to the Hauraki Gulf Islands in the distance. Whether in peaceful white bays on the East Coast, the volcanic, black-sand beaches in West Auckland, or the rocky marine reserves in the north, swimming is a must in the summer. If you enjoy snorkeling, head to Goat Island or the Tāwharanui Peninsula and swim with the fishes in a marine reserve.

Otherwise, enjoy a walk along the coast. Mission Bay is not far from the city center and has a long stretch of sand that’s perfect for an early evening stroll along the beach. Get ice cream from New Zealand Natural for a treat and enjoy the views of the harbor and North Shore. For visiting fishers, a number of spots beckon: snapper and kahawai can be caught in Auckland, including from the wharf in Devonport, under the Harbour Bridge and off the rocks at many beaches at low tide.