Auckland Art Galleries, Culture and Museums
Auckland is quickly becoming renowned as one of the leading centres for art and culture in the Southern Hemisphere, and the multitude of galleries and institutions that line the city streets are a testament to this. Whether you’re a visual art aficionado or one for the cinema, Auckland has more than enough sights and sounds to please every creative soul, so collect your Auckland Rental Car from Omega and start exploring.
Begin your cultural tour of the city on Wellesley Street. The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, conveniently located on Wellesley, is the proud home to New Zealand’s largest collection of national and international art. The building’s stunning Renaissance architecture is a feature in itself, but inside the Gallery, you’ll receive a vital introduction to the art history of New Zealand and beyond. Cycling through top-quality exhibitions which address not only individual contemporary artists but historical movements in painting, photography, and other media, the Gallery isn’t a site to be perused in ten minutes – you’ll need a couple of hours to fully absorb all of the visual splendour on offer. Perhaps factor an hour-long tour into that time, taken by guides who know their art inside-out.
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The city’s contemporary art galleries respond to and develop the history held within Toi o Tamaki, their collections reflecting the ripples in the wider world of contemporary art. Make a beeline for Gow Langsford first – as one of Auckland’s longest-running galleries, its curators know a thing or two about contemporary art, and it’s a gallery committed to showcasing the abstract or political works of local artists. Two Rooms, Starkwhite, and Michael Lett are other galleries to explore and enjoy.
Speaking of museums, make sure to put the grand Auckland War Memorial Museum – Auckland’s architectural answer to the Whitehouse – on your tour list, as well as the Museum of Transport and Technology, and the Auckland Museum. The first will satisfy the militarily-inclined; the second, those who are keen on their moving vehicles and gadgets; and the Auckland Museum, everyone who’s interested in race, nationality, and creed. Truly something for all!
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If dancing, singing, and performing of all genres is more your bag, then Auckland’s active theatre scene is sure to excite. Head to the Civic Theatre to experience what’s known as the “atmospheric” theatre style, which basically means that you’ll feel as if you’re watching the show outside, with a starry sky above. The Wallace Arts Centre in the historic Pah Homestead is another unique performance space well worth a visit, not least due to its ever-revolving schedule of events and exhibitions. Lastly, one for the musicians in the family: check out the renowned Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, which performs over 50 times annually in the city’s opulent Town Hall.
With a car hire depot at Auckland Airport and another in the City’s CBD, Omega Rental Cars provides convenient and affordable transport for exploring Auckland. Book today and enjoy exploring Auckland with our unlimited kilometre rates and affordable rental car prices.
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