What to Do in Auckland on a Rainy Day
On a rainy day in Auckland, head indoors to the Art Gallery, the War Memorial Museum, MOTAT or Weta Workshop Unleashed, take in the Sky Tower, or browse the malls and covered lanes. Auckland's wet-weather options are better than they first look.
What can you do in Auckland when it rains?
Plenty, since the city has a solid set of indoor attractions. Museums and galleries, hands-on museums, the Sky Tower, an aquarium and good covered shopping all stay dry. Given Auckland's changeable weather, it is worth knowing these before you arrive, so a grey day becomes a museum-and-gallery day rather than a wasted one. Save the cones and beaches for when it clears.
Museums and galleries
Start with the big cultural draws. The Auckland Art Gallery has free general entry and a strong collection, easy to lose an hour or two in. The Auckland War Memorial Museum, up in the Domain, covers natural history and the country's story and is a substantial visit. MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology at Western Springs, is hands-on and good for families. Together they can fill a wet day on their own.
Indoor attractions
Beyond the museums, a few attractions shrug off the rain. The Sky Tower gives the city view from indoors, weather permitting for visibility. Weta Workshop Unleashed in the city centre is an interactive, behind-the-scenes film experience. Kelly Tarlton's, the underwater aquarium near Mission Bay, is largely indoors and a reliable family option. These work whatever the sky is doing.
Shopping and eating undercover
When all else fails, shop and eat your way through it. Newmarket, anchored by the big Westfield mall, and the Britomart and High Street lanes in the centre keep you mostly covered while browsing. The city's cafe and restaurant scene is a fine way to wait out a shower, and a long lunch in the suburbs is no hardship. Auckland does rainy days better than its reputation suggests.
Have a plan for the wet days
Guide AKL maps the indoor attractions and covered corners alongside the outdoor ones, so rain need not stop the day. Works offline.
Explore Guide AKLRelated: Best things to do in Auckland with kids.