 | Auckland Auckland Museum and Domain Reviews | 1 - 10 of 35 |  |
This fantastic building is Aucklands War Memorial AND museum. That is to say, it commemorates New Zealands fallen soldiers, and serves as a wonderful museum at the same time. It houses one of the most significant collections of Maori and Pacific treasures and artifacts in the world, as well as having well presented natural history, social, art, childrens and war memorial collections.
Each day there are performances by a group called Manaia, who give an enjoyable show with Maori song and dance, a generous sprinkling of humour and some audience participation!
Entry to the museum is free, however they do suggest a donation of $5(nzd), and entry into certain exhibits and the Manaia show is extra. There is a cafe, a museum store, and the grounds in the Domain surrounding the museum are ideal for picnics on sunny days.
The museum sits on the rim of one of Aucklands many extinct volcanoes, although this is not immediately obvious as you look at it. From the museum steps, you get a splendid view over part of the city and out over the harbour to Devonport and Rangitoto. Leave a Comment
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The Winter Gardens are located in the Auckland Domain, and consist of two large glass houses, a cool one for temperate plants, and a hot house for tropical plants, as well as a formal courtyard garden and fernery. The gardens were opened in 1913 to commemorate the Auckland Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Exhibition in 1913/14.
At the time of writing, the hot house is unfortunately closed while New Zealands ever vigilant bio security people deal with an unwanted pest, but they hope to re open it in a couple of months.
Entry to the winter gardens, including the glass houses and the fernery, is free.
See my travelogue to enjoy some of the blooms I recently enjoyed in the cool house. Leave a Comment
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One of the things I love about New Zealand is its lush greenery, and the Fernery at the Winter Gardens is a miniature example of some of the ferns and palms to be found, particularly from the North island.
Hidden away off the formal courtyard, you find yourself in a sort of secret garden, surrounded by ferns of all sizes, with the sound of water and filtered daylight combining to add to the otherworldly feel of the place. Steps descend down into the midst of the garden, from where you would never suspect you were so close to inner city life. Leave a Comment
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The Domain covers 75 hectares, 10 of which have been developed into first-class sports fields. The contours of the park form a natural amphitheatre which have come from the ‘tuff rings’ which were created by the volcanic activity of thousands of years ago. There are formal gardens with mature trees and impressive statues. Several of the really impressive trees in the lawn arboretum were seedlings from a nursery set up in the Domain in 1841. The purpose was to grow and distribute European plants and trees to the whole of the city. Created in 1940, the Domain is the oldest park in Auckland. Special features within the Domain include the Wintergardens and the Auckland War Memorial which stands at the Domain’s highest point. During the summer, cricket matches are held on the fields and families can enjoy picnics. There are also outdoor free concerts held from time to time. . I got to go to one of the outdoor concerts on New Years eve while back home on a visit. Great atmosphere. I have fond memories as a child visiting the Domain and feeding the ducks. Leave a Comment
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PHOTO: WINTER GARDEN
In addition to sailing in Auckland Harbor and the Hauraki Gulf, there are five places we would suggest you must see.
1). The Auckland Museum is a must. The view from the front of the museum shows all of Auckland and it is just up the hill from the Winter Gardens in the park called Auckland Domain. While we were there they had a incredible exhibition on Sir Edmund Hillary. The Maori natural history area is "Not to be missed" as well. There is so much to see here including a large area on Maori culture.
2). The Winter Garden in Auckland Domain is wonderful as is the tropical plant pavilion, and the fern gully is also spectacular.
3). You can walk from the Museum to Parnell Road by way of a nature walking path that goes through the woods just below the museum (look closely as the signage is hidden as you approach from the west). Parnell Road is a shopping and eating area that is along the street just below the Auckland Cathedral and it is a treasure of archicture and interesting shops (a short bus ride back from here to city center).
4. The Sky Tower, Skycity, Victoria & Federal Sts at 328 meters is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Great views from here and a good area orientation (see main article for photo).
5). Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World is fantastic. The penguins swim right next to you, there is a reproduction of Scott's Antarctic station and the underwater world with rays and sharks swimming over your head is spectacular. Phone: www.skytower.co.nzDirections: A 15 minute bus ride around the harbor will take you to Tarleton's. The rest of the sites are in town and easily found.Website: www.kellytarltons.co.nz Other Contact: www.akmuseum.org.nz
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The Auckland War Memorial Musuem stands on the top of one of Auckland's oldest volcanoes. The Domain is a low hill that probably won't first strike you as being a volcano, but when you look closer you will see the crater and there's even a large scoria cone in the centre.
The museum itself has become an icon of Auckland. The building dates back to the 1920s when it was planned as a memorial place to the fallen soldiers of World War I. Now, added to this function is that of perhaps New Zealand's most stately and well presented museum. This is a museum in the grand old sense of the word, yet it exhibits contemporary and interesting displays as well. For the kids, there is the consession of the discovery centre on the second floor, which was actually quite entertaining for all the adults that were there too, on the day I visited! It was interesting seeing a fully operational beehive and trying to find the queen. The cockroach display was pretty disgusting though. On the top floor you will find the moving "Scars on the Heart" permanent exhibition about New Zealand's military history, as well as the memorial rooms. Make sure you give the museum a full day. You also might want to time your visit to catch the Maori cultural performance at 11am.
$5 entry "donation". Leave a Comment
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The land in which the Domain sits on also has strong Maori associations and contains two pa sites – Pukekaroa and Waikohanga. The highest point where the Museum sits is known as Pukekawa or ‘hill of bitter tears’. It was also once known as Observatory Hill.
The main park gates are on Park Road, Grafton by Auckland Hospital, just a short walk across Grafton Bridge from upper Symonds Street. Other vehicle entrances are from Stanley Street, George Street and Titoki Street. The Link bus service stops at the Domain. Leave a Comment
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On the steps of the War Memorial Museum is the Cenotaph which is a memorial to soldiers from the Auckland province who died in both World Wars. It is also the centrepoint for Anzac Day remembrance services. The memorial was erected in 1929 and is surrounded by a Court of Honour which consists of rectangular tower surmounted by a sarcophagus and bronze wreath. Leave a Comment
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Very nice museum to learn all about New Zealand and it's culture. The first floor has a really good Maori and Pacific Island culture exhibit. There is also a section on science and nature. The second floor is mainly dedicated to NZ at war.
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The Wintergardens in the Domain is made up of two display glasshouses. One contains temperate plants and the other tropical plants. There is also a formal courtyard with a pond in the centre and a ferny within an old quarry.
Open all year round although you need to check the hours depending on the time of year. The Wintergarden can be booked for private functions outside of the public hours. Admission is free
Open : 1 April - 31 October. Mon - Sun (9am - 4.30pm) 1 November - 31 March Mon - Sat (9am - 5.30pm) and Sun (9am - 7.30pm) Leave a Comment
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