Looking for fun things to do without breaking the bank? Save your pennies with our round-up of cheap things to do around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
1. Shop vintage on K’road
Plan your next shopping trip knowing that you will save some money and that you are helping the environment. Whatever your taste, there is sure to be something at an op shop on K'road that appeals to you. Check out Smoove, Red Cross, Auckland City Mission, and Paper Bag Princess; you never know what you will find, and you can often snag some designer pieces for almost nothing.
2. Spend a night at the museum
Head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for Twilight Tuesdays: Museum Late Night and explore the galleries when it is less crowded. Enjoy dinner or drinks at Tuitui Bistro & Café and browse the new Hokohoko Museum Store. Afterward, why not make a night of it and stay to watch the sun set over the Auckland Domain? Open until 8.30pm. Entry is free for Auckland residents and members, or by donation for everyone else.
3. Sip on a cocktail at Bar Albert, New Zealand’s highest rooftop bar
Soak up some of those long hours of sunshine sipping on a cocktail with amazing views of the city. Auckland has plenty of rooftop bars where you can watch the sun go down and enjoy breathtaking views, and Bar Albert is one of them. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the Auckland skyline while sipping on one of their signature cocktails for $24. Click here for more rooftop bars.
4. Have a laugh at The Classic
Laugh so much until your face hurts at The Classic Comedy Club which hosts a live comedy night with up to twelve comedians every Wednesday night. Discover rising stars during a two-hour show that’s never the same. Entry is $15.
5. Sing your heart out at karaoke
Try your hand at the karaoke Coin Singing Booth in Westfield Newmarket. Gather your friends, choose your booth, insert a coin or a note, and start singing a song of your choice. From $3 for one song to $40 for 23 songs.
6. Watch a movie at Academy Cinemas, central Auckland
All movies at Academy Cinemas are $5 per film per person on Wednesday. Keep an eye on their website as the $5 Wednesday schedule is uploaded a week in advance. It is a fantastic opportunity to watch multiple films in one day and enjoy great deals on the bar too. Booking online is recommended.
7. Visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum
Visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum to learn more about Aotearoa's maritime history. Free for Aucklanders and $20 for international visitors per adult, $10 per child. This interactive, immersive museum is wonderful for visitors of all ages!
8. Play mini golf at Holey Moley
Challenge your friends to mini-golf! Holey Moley is the ideal location for a fun time out, whether you are planning a date, want an afternoon of family fun, or want to challenge your friends. Mini golf costs $15 to $20 per adult for 9 holes.
9. Try Delta Force Paintball – Woodhill Forest
Venture up to Woodhill Forest near Muriwai Beach to have a go at Delta Force Paintball. Get ready for an action-packed day of fun. Your blood will be pumping, and you will have an insane adrenaline rush while trying to dodge bullets. A session of paintball action costs $14.99 per person.
10. Hire a bike and cycle around Auckland
See the city on two wheels with Next Bike. Pick up a bike, hit the road, and do your own exploring of the city at just $4 for one hour. If your rental time is longer than five hours, you will only be charged a maximum of $20 for the day. There are plenty of cycling tracks in Auckland to explore. Click here for more.
11. Curling at Live Wire Super Park in Birkenhead
Ever wanted to try curling? Ring your friends or family for a little competition and a lot of fun. One ticket for a team of up to four players, for 60 minutes, will cost $50 ($12.50 per person).
12. Indulge in ice cream from Giapo
Ice cream lovers, this one is for you! If you have never tried Giapo ice cream, now is the time! Giapo’s ice creams will surprise you with not only wonderful flavours but incredible toppings and designs. Try the selfie ice cream cone to frame your next Instagram shot. Starting at $7, be ready for an ice cream experience like no other.
13. Check out Brick Bay Sculpture Trail
Discover a vibrant display of sculptures nestled in a breathtaking natural setting with native vegetation, wildlife, and ponds brimming with water lilies. Wear comfortable shoes because the Sculpture Trail takes about an hour to stroll. The trail costs $12 for adults, but if you eat at The Glass House, it costs only $10.
14. Do some wine tasting on Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is well-known for its beautiful beaches and vineyards, and it makes an excellent day trip from central Auckland. Explore this lovely island and sample some of its award-winning artisan wines. Taste three Tantalus Estate Wines grown on Waiheke Island for $20 or try the Stonyridge experience for $15 and explore wine from Central Otago through to Marlborough.
15. Hop on a ferry to Hobsonville
Hop on a ferry from central Auckland to Hobsonville and explore the peninsula. Whether you are looking to buy fresh produce at the Catalina Bay Farmers Market held on the weekend, walk along the coast, or just relax with a beer at Little Creatures, there are plenty of things to do in the area. Tickets are $5.75 one way for adults and $3.25 for children.
16. Explore the Eden Garden
Known as Auckland's hidden gem, Eden Garden is a beautiful destination if you love flowers and plants. It is a wonderfully peaceful sanctuary featuring a splendid array of plants, mature trees, flowering shrubs, and perennials, offering a new experience on every visit. There is always something in bloom to see! Entry is $12 per adult and free for children under 12.
17. Visit Howick Historical Village
Get back in time and wander through a unique "living history" museum. Explore the early settlement of Howick as it was in the mid-to-late 1800s and see how people would have lived as they went about their daily activities. Tickets are $14 per adult and $6 per child.
18. Go on a tour at Chelsea Sugar Factory
Experience New Zealand's iconic sugar factory and fully immerse yourself while walking through the plant and machinery with one of Chelsea Sugar Factory’s expert tour guides. You will learn why this historical Birkenhead site was chosen to be the only sugar factory in New Zealand, how raw sugar is processed, and taste some delicious products. Entry costs are $25 per adult and $12.50 per child (5–15 years old).
19. Knock down pins at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in Newmarket
Looking for a fun day out? With bowling lanes, arcade and ticket games, virtual reality rides, and dodgems, you are sure to have fun at Archie Brothers. Gather your friends and get ready for some friendly competition. Prices for one game start from $18 to $22, depending on the date and time you go there.
20. Check out 100 lanterns at Auckland Lantern Festival
Celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit at the Auckland Lantern Festival 2023, a free and family-friendly event. Enjoy hundreds of handmade Chinese lanterns on display, along with cultural music and dance performances, food stalls, traditional craft demonstrations, and a spectacular fireworks display. This is a free event.
21. Have fun ice skating at Paradise Ice skating
Strap on your skates and show off your ice-skating skills at Paradise Ice Skating in Botany. Try out their Friday Blackout Skating session for $17 per person and skate away under disco lights to the latest musical hits.
22. Spend the day at Auckland Zoo
For a fun and educational day out, nothing beats the zoo. Meet hundreds of animals, including tigers, orangutans, giraffes, penguins, and more. Auckland Zoo is a not-for-profit, so all the money from every ticket sold goes towards building a brighter future for wildlife. A day pass costs $24 per adult and $13 per child (4–14 years old).
23. Play and feed animals at Ambury farm
Play with cute farm animals at the Ambury farm for free. You can take part in activities like feeding the lambs and milking the cows between July and November, or you can just explore on your own and spend some time cuddling the goats or rabbits.
24. Visit Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
If you love contemporary art, you will love the Te Uru gallery, located in Tiritangi, West Auckland. This gallery is open to the public for free. The Te Uru building itself is a must-see, and the gallery offers extraordinary exhibition experiences including beautiful art, craft, and design, plus spectacular views of the surrounding area. For $24.50, check out the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki to discover an extraordinary story of art, love, and life - an absolute must-see!
25. Eat at Auckland Night Markets
Immerse yourself in a delicious selection of cuisines from all over the world at the Auckland Night Markets. Spread across six different locations in Auckland, the markets are free, but make sure to bring some cash to sample all your favourite foods and discover new ones! It is a great night out for the whole family and for anyone who wants to experience food from other cultures, hear live music, and watch buskers perform.