New Zealand Maritime Museum

Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter


This museum traces NZ’s seafaring history, from Māori voyaging canoes to the America’s Cup. Recreations include a tilting 19th-century steerage-class cabin and a 1950s beach store and bach (holiday home). 'Blue Water Black Magic' is a tribute to Sir Peter Blake, the Whitbread-Round-the-World and America’s Cup–winning yachtsman who was murdered in 2001 on an environmental monitoring trip in the Amazon. Packages incorporating harbour cruises on heritage boats, including a ketch-rigged scow and a vintage motor launch, are also available.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter attractions

1. St Patrick’s Cathedral

0.29 MILES

Auckland’s Catholic cathedral (1907) is one of the city's loveliest buildings. Polished wood and Belgian stained glass lend warmth to the interior of the…

2. Lighthouse

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Auckland's most recent installation of public art is this replica 'state house' – a form of public housing popular in NZ in the 1930s and 1940s – erected…

3. Sky Tower

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The impossible-to-miss Sky Tower looks like a giant hypodermic giving a fix to the heavens. Spectacular lighting renders it space age at night and the…

4. Civic Theatre

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The 'mighty Civic' (1929) is one of only seven ‘atmospheric theatres’ remaining in the world and a fine survivor from cinema’s Golden Age. The auditorium…

5. Albert Park

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Hugging the hill on the city’s eastern flank, Albert Park is a charming Victorian formal garden overrun by students from the neighbouring University of…

6. University Clock Tower

0.64 MILES

The University Clock Tower is Auckland's architectural triumph. This stately ‘ivory' tower (1926) tips its hat to art nouveau (the incorporation of NZ…

7. Old Government House

0.65 MILES

Built in 1856, this stately building was the colony's seat of power until 1865 when Wellington became the capital. The construction is unusual in that it…

8. Auckland Art Gallery

0.65 MILES

Auckland's premier art repository has a striking glass-and-wood atrium grafted onto its 1887 French chateau frame. It showcases the best of NZ art, along…