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Things to Do in Auckland on a Rainy Day (We Tested Them So You Don't Have To)

It's autumn in Auckland. The leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter, and the time for shorts is well and truly over. Instead of sulking on the couch, we decided to put together the ultimate rainy day guide - and then proceeded to film most of it in brilliant sunshine. Classic Auckland.


Here's everything we got up to, with prices included so you can actually plan your day.


🎬 1. The Movies (IMAX at Event Cinemas, Queen Street)

If you're going to do the movies, do them properly. We went full IMAX on Queen Street and watched Project Hail Mary, absolutely worth the big screen. Our tickets came to $31.50 per ticket thanks to Chantal's Cinebuzz membership (sign up if you haven't: Event Cinemas).

Our food and drinks haul: medium popcorn, large popcorn, a beer, a flat white, and water came to $42 with 10% off via Cinebuzz. Not the cheapest, but going to the movies is a treat and IMAX makes it worth every cent.

Money-saving tips: Cinebuzz membership gets you 10% off · Tuesday nights at Event Cinemas = half-price tickets · AIA Vitality also offers discounts · Silky Otter has bottomless popcorn on some Monday nights


🐧 2. Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium (Tāmaki Drive)

We'd driven past this place countless times, Craig's even run over the top of it, but we'd never actually been inside. What a surprise. The whole aquarium is underground, and it's way bigger than it looks from the road.

Highlights: the penguin colony (southern hemisphere's largest display of sub-Antarctic penguins - those King Penguins are massive), the polar plunge challenge (30 seconds with your hand in Antarctic water) and the curved underwater tunnel built by Kelly Tarlton himself back in 1985. Standing inside it surrounded by sharks and stingrays is genuinely incredible.

There's also a replica of Scott's Hut from the 1910 Antarctic expedition, way more interesting than we expected. And mid-way through, there's a café with an unreal view of the city skyline. We grabbed coffees ($7.50 each) and a muffin ($5) and just sat there for a while. Perfectly placed.

Pricing: $49 walk-in / $45 online · AA membership = 30% off for you and a friend (we paid $31.50 each) · Heads up: it gets very busy on rainy days - try to book ahead and allow time for parking on Tāmaki Drive


🍷 3. Aka Rooftop Bar (Lorne Street, Raddison Red Hotel)

Okay, this one was completely unplanned, we just happened to walk past and spotted it. Aka means "red" in Japanese and sits on top of the new Raddison Red Hotel on Lorne Street. It's beautiful, the attention to detail is next level (Japanese symbols on the glasses, perfectly square blocks of ice), and they pour local wines, Craig had a pinot noir from Central Otago.

Yes, it was sunny when we visited. But the good news is they have covered areas and heaters, so this works year-round. File this one under: worth it in any weather.


🎵 4. Real Groovy Records (Victoria Street, off Queen Street)

Craig dragged me in here and honestly, best decision of the day. Real Groovy is an old-school music store packed with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, old Walkmans - you name it. The place was absolutely buzzing with people.

There's a listening station where you can actually put a record on and hear it, we found the Beach Boys (only because of our dads, let's be honest). They also had photo booth photos, which we obviously had to do. This is one of those places that just makes you happy. And it's free to browse.


🥩 5. Grill Planet BBQ Buffet (CBD)

We'd had hot pot before but never a barbecue buffet. $40 per person gets you 90 minutes at an all-you-can-eat buffet with beef, lamb, chicken, pork, prawns, a full veggie spread, slushies and even ice cream. You grill it all yourself right at the table. It's warm, it's loud, it's hearty, exactly what you want when it's miserable outside.

Standout: the spicy pork belly. Also, it's surprisingly keto-friendly if that's your thing. BYO is available for $10 corkage. Go hungry.


☕ 6. Scarecrow Café (Kitchener Street & Victoria Street)

Just below Albert Park and perfect for a slow morning. Cosy, order via QR code and the menu has some interesting options: iced biscoff latte, iced tiramisu latte, coconut americano. I went flat white (obviously). Craig ordered a beer. At a café. At least it had good timing - cheers!


🍺 7. The Terrace (Aotea Square)

More restaurant than pub, but a great spot for that indoor-outdoor feeling without actually being outdoors. They've got a solid range of New Zealand craft beers on tap (Craig had a pink grapefruit hazy from Urban). There's a theatre right there, so it's ideal for pre-show drinks. And during school holidays, Aotea Square often has activities, there was a cool maze-style installation when we visited.


🏛️ 8. Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland Domain)

We didn't go inside on this trip, but it absolutely deserves a mention. Entry is free for Auckland residents, which means you have zero excuses not to visit. International tourists pay $27. It's an easy walk from the CBD through the Auckland Domain or you can hop on public transport or drive (lots of parking). One for the list.



Two things we've learned from the Kiwis

1. Don't let the weather hold you back. Get a good rain jacket and a great umbrella - sorted.

2. If it's raining, wait 10 minutes. Chances are it'll blow over. (Auckland, you know it's true.)


We hope this gives you some inspiration to get out and explore, whether it's somewhere new or somewhere you've been meaning to go for ages. There's genuinely so much to do in this city.

What's your go-to rainy day activity in Auckland? Drop it in the comments - we'd love to add more to this list! 👇

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