Auckland Rainy Day Activities That Won’t Bore You

Auckland is a coastal city with a mild climate, famous for experiencing “four seasons in one day”. Thus, despite the picturesque sunny images you usually see of Auckland, it rains here around 180 days a year. Kiwis are not bothered by it. As a matter of fact, they have found ways to enjoy both the indoors and outdoors during the rainy season. Here are some of the most popular Auckland rainy day activities to help you enjoy the city.

January is the driest and hottest month, while July is typically the rainiest. Also, summer season is comfortable but short in New Zealand, while winter is wet and cold (but never freezing). This is why indoor activities are such a big hit!

Hit the slope at the snow dome

Snow Planet is the country’s only indoor snow dome. The temperature inside is at a steady -5C. Here you can snowboard, ski, and ride the tube any day of the year, regardless of the weather outside.

Beginners can ride the easy slope, while expert snow athletes can ride the Poma lift to get to the top of the 200m hill and tackle the rails of the terrain park.

There’s also a café inside the building with a massive window to view the gigantic slope. It’s a perfect place to escape the rain and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

There’s a fee for entry, with special discounts for families, children, and seniors.

Tickets and pricing available on the Snow Planet website HERE

Smell the flowers

Auckland’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, houses the ever-beautiful Wintergardens. This flower garden was originally built in the 1900s to give people a garden to visit in the cold months. Today, it is registered on the country’s Historic Places Trust.

The garden features a fernery and two Victorian-style greenhouses. The greenhouses keep the colourful and vibrant flowers and plants from all over the world. They look great in photos, too!

Admission is free, perfect for anyone looking for a bit of nature and warmth during rainy days.

Enjoy good coffee and play some board games

If you and your friends love good coffee and board games, then you can enjoy both at the Cakes n Ladders Café. This atypical café has all your old-time favourite board games and some new ones to try and challenge yourselves.

Indulge your senses at Weta Workshop Unleashed

The Weta Workshop Unleashed is a 90-minute guided experience perfect for kids of all ages. It has giants, monsters, robots, and more, all in interactive, fantastical, discombobulating displays that put your wild imaginative senses to work.

This workshop is inspired by Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop in Wellington. Admissions vary by the journey you choose.

Underwater adventure

Discover Auckland’s marine life at the Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium. This attraction features the world’s very first underwater walk-through acrylic tunnels that put you closer to the colourful marine life. If you want to, you can also swim with the sharks.

Admission is free for 0 to 2 years old, and 20% discount is available for pre-booked tickets (booked at least one day in advance). There is an additional fee for the gear should you wish to take a dip in the tank. 

Tickets and pricing available on the Kelly Tarlton’s website HERE

Visit Toi o Tāmaki – Auckland’s Art Gallery

If you are into arts, then you cannot afford to miss New Zealand’s biggest art collection at the Auckland Art Gallery. It features both domestic and foreign artworks.

Exhibits range from classic to contemporary, and the gallery houses more than 17,000 artworks, from paintings and sculptures to multimedia and more.

Learn more about the city’s history

If you are curious about the country and city’s history, then you should head to Auckland Museum to learn more about New Zealand’s past.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Maori artifacts, as well as the extensive history of the first people that settled in New Zealand. The top floor features the War Memorial Museum, which shows the country’s military history and those who has served.

Admission is free for the locals (after showing a NZ driving license or library card), but you can donate something if you wish to. Guests with children and families qualify for discounts.

Learn the country’s maritime history

The New Zealand Maritime Museum is a haven for history buffs, particularly those into maritime history.

This museum features the nautical history of New Zealand; from the boats of the first Polynesian settlers that arrived in the country some 1,000 years ago, all the way to the modern world. Weather permitting (wind, not rain); you can try out the heritage vessel and sail on a traditional wooden vessel with the whole family.

Spin some dice at the casino

Looking for Auckland Rainy Day Activities that are fun? Want to try your luck? Check out the country’s largest casino at SkyCity Casino and experience what a world-famous gambling establishment can offer. This casino has everything, from thousands of machines, hundreds of gambling tables, poker rooms, and more. Not to mention venturing up to the top of the Sky Tower for a 360 degree view of the city.

Admission is free and games are pay to play, of course.

Watch the All Blacks

The world-famous national rugby team of New Zealand, commonly known as The All Blacks, is the most successful international team in the history of the sport. The team has amassed numerous honors and is considered as the one of the most prolific teams across any sport. Wear a raincoat and watch the All Blacks in action to find out why.

Shop at the outdoor market

As said earlier, the Kiwis have found a way to deal with the rain. The weekend markets throughout Auckland are open and sell fresh produce, rain or shine. Check out the French Market in Parnell, the Avondale Market, and plenty more.

If you have any Auckland Rainy Day Activities of your own that I missed, let me know in the comments!

For cheap Auckland eats and food options, jump over to my CHEAP EATS IN AUCKLAND – A LOCAL’S TOP 10