Trying to keep your New Zealand vacation on a budget? Here are six free things to do in Auckland.
Climb Mount Eden
Auckland’s tallest volcano offers visitors the best views of the city and Waitemata Harbour, and you can conquer this mountain for free by car or foot. Forget what you think you know about volcanoes, though: Mount Eden is covered in fields of green grass rather than volcanic rock. While you’re there, you can see how the native Maori once lived, thanks to housing sites and storage pits on the mountain.
Visit The Domain
Spanning more than 185 acres, Auckland’s oldest park offers a little something for everyone. From duck ponds and several gardens to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, The Domain makes it easy to spend an afternoon enjoying Auckland’s outdoors. Don’t miss the Wintergarden complex, which features two glass houses of tropical and temperate plants.
Go for a swim at Bethells Beach
The black sands of Bethells Beach are a testament to Auckland’s location on the volcanic Ring of Fire. Check out the ominous black sand dunes surrounding the shore, then go for a hike along the cliff tops to see the black sands set against the turquoise waters that draw plenty of surfers to Auckland’s coast. Don’t miss nearby Lake Wainamu, where you can swim in calmer waters.
Stroll along the North Shore Coastal Walk
Auckland’s endless shores are one of its crowning glories, and you can experience the beauty for yourself with a relaxing stroll along the North Shore Coastal Walk between Long Bay Regional Park and the seaside village of Devonport. While you’re exploring the beaches and suburbs along the walking path, don’t forget to stop to check out the rock pools and bays along the way. In historic Devonport, you’ll be welcomed by Victorian architecture, local art galleries and quaint cafes.
Check out the Auckland Art Gallery
You don’t need to pay a pretty penny to check out the city’s art scene at the Auckland Art Gallery, where more than 15,000 pieces of art showcase historic and contemporary works by local and international artists. Best of all, you don’t have to wander alone — free daily tours are held twice a day and offer insight into the history and stories behind the Gallery’s artwork.
See the gannets at Muriwai Beach
Nature and wildlife are two of New Zealand’s defining features, and you can get a glimpse of both at Muriwai Beach. Here, more than 1,000 pairs of gannets call the cliff tops home, and two viewing platforms offer incredible views of these bird-lined beaches. After you’re done birdwatching, you can build your own sandcastle from the beach’s black sand, take a dip in the Tasman Sea or simply sunbath under the New Zealand sun.
(Featured image: Anuradha Dissanyake)
