Auckland Museums
Auckland War Memorial Museum
The historical museum houses an expansive collection of Māori and Pacific Island antiquities and exhibits, including three whole structures, including Hotunui a huge meeting house, and a waka taua (war kayak) from 1830.The museum is located in the Auckland Domain a large park in the center of Auckland cbd, The gallery likewise stores a photographic collection of 1.2 million pictures, and stores and displays 1.5 million historic examples from the fields of science, entomology, topography, vertebrates and sea life.
There is likewise a large display covering wars, both inside New Zealand and New Zealand's interest abroad. This display is connected to the War Memorial and displays unique aircraft like the Spitfire and Mitsubishi Zero planes and other war exhibits, the museum is well worth a look there is also a botanical garden located within the domain as well and you could easily spend an entire day here transport is available with bus services visiting the domain through out the day
New Zealand Maritime Museum
The maritime museum is located on the Auckland water front, there are numerous displays from the discovery and settlement of New Zealand by Europeans, right through to our present day yachting success of the America cup and the story of Sir Peter Blake New Zealand yachting legend, visit the Museum and discover the maritime stories that have shaped New Zealand as a seafaring nation.
There is also plenty to do on the water at the museum there are daily sailings in a restored scow the Ted Ashby you can climb aboard and take in the sights of Auckland harbour the maritime museum is an awsome day out and there is the water front to explore while you are there.
Western Springs & Transport Museum
Western Springs are located just outside the Auckland cbd and still within easy transport distance, the springs are a natural lake in the center of busy Auckland there are walk ways right around the lake shore and various areas for picnics etc.
The eastern end of the lake houses motat the museum of transport a collection of vintage aircraft, steam trains and other various forms of transport from our past, the museum is well worth a visit while you are at Western Springs.
The western end of the lake and within easy walking distance or you can catch the tram running from Motat is the Auckland zoo, a collection of animals, from around the world, this is really a full days trip with the lake, Museum of transport and the Auckland zoo all with in easy walking distance of each other.
