Discover stories of the sea with a day trip to the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
The museum offers a variety of indoor exhibitions that highlight New Zealand's incredible maritime history. Visitors can also enjoy an on-site café and complimentary guided tours. It's an ideal destination during the winter months and entry is FREE for Auckland residents.
The museum houses one of the nation’s most important heritage collections, which covers the breadth of our relationship with the sea; from the Great Pacific Migration a thousand years ago to the cutting edge of modern technology and design used in America’s Cup and modern yachting.
Thu - Sun, 10:30am | Free, bookings are essential
Learn about New Zealand's important maritime history with a FREE guided tour. Explore the America’s Cup, traditional Pacific voyaging, and early European immigration with our knowledgeable guides on a gallery tour.
Mon - Fri , 8am - 4pm, weekends, 9am - 4pm
Recharge and enjoy a hot drink and delicious cabinet food at the museum's onsite cafe, Koel.
Located in Edmiston Gallery | Free with musem entry
An interactive exhibition showcasing the significance of seabird conservation in New Zealand. Science, photography, interactive video, sculpture, and sound invite visitors into the world of these magnificent creatures.
We are open from 10am – 5pm, last entry is at 4pm.
We recommend you plan two hours to visit the museum to allow enough time to see all the exhibits.
Yes, proof of address is required for free entry for Auckland residents. Please bring one of the following forms of proof of address for Auckland Region resident prices.
Our onsite café Koel is open 8am - 4pm Mon - Fri and 9am - 4pm on weekends.
The closest car parking is at the Downtown Car Park with access from Customs Street West. There is an overhead walkway that connects this car park to the pedestrian precinct outside the Museum.
There is mobility parking in Downtown Car Park.
Princes Wharf Car Park is also close-by but is more expensive than Downtown Car Park.
The museum has two wheelchairs available for visitors to use. Please ask at our ticket desk or when making a booking.
The Britomart Transport Centre is just 10 minutes' walk from the Museum, making it easy to get to from the bus or the train.
Passenger ferries run to several Auckland suburbs. The ferry terminal is a five-minute walk from the Museum.
Additional ferry services from Great Barrier Island, Rakino Island, Pine Harbour and Waiheke Island are also available from the terminal.
Use the AT app from Auckland Transport to plan journeys across Auckland’s public transport network.
Museum entry is free for Auckland residents.
For domestic and international travellers, prices are listed below:
You do not need to book in advance for entry. Domestic and international visitors can book online in advance, but since Auckland residents get free entry, advance bookings are not required.
If you want to take part in a guided tour, bookings are required and take place from Thursdays to Sundays. You can book a guided tour online here.
Click here to view our museum map. You will also receive one upon arrival.