There’s plenty of new things worth braving the cold for in Auckland City this winter. From ancient artefacts to ice skating, virtual reality and light shows, wrap up warm and check out these four great things to do this July.
1. Ancient Greeks Exhibition, Auckland Museum
The biggest exhibition ever loaned to New Zealand from the British Museum is now on show at Auckland Museum. Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes showcases artefacts that are more than 2,000 years old, from jewellery to weapons, pottery and sculptures. These incredible Greek treasures tell the stories of life in an ancient world. Learn about how the Greeks competed in sports, debated in politics, fought wars or made music and how their innovations in all these fields influenced life as we know it today. The exhibition includes many examples of Greek artistry from decorative vases to bronze figurines, fine jewellery and the showpiece – a two-metre-long piece of marble frieze.
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Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes is on at Auckland Museum from now until November 6.
2. Takapuna Winter Lights
For four nights this month Auckland’s North Shore hub of Takapuna will be illuminated. Takapuna Winter Lights is a free event held at Hurstmere Green providing a chance to warm up with many multi-sensory, glow-in-the-dark installations created by local artists as well as live music and interactive multi-media displays. Takapuna Winter Lights is one of many events running across Tāmaki Makaurau as part of the 2022 Elemental AKL festival. Dress warmly, grab a bite to eat at one of Takapuna’s many great restaurants and immerse yourself in an interactive evening of imaginative, illuminated art.
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Takapuna Winter Lights Festival will run between 28-31 July, from 5-10pm.
3. Aotea Square Ice Rink
You know when winter is here when the famous Aotea Ice Rink opens! Suitable for everyone from skating pros to absolute beginners, the ice rink provides a rare opportunity to skate in the centre of our biggest city. Alongside the rink itself you can also tackle the 35-metre-long Ice Slide, marvel at the lighting installation designed by Jonny Cross or book your spot in one of the cosy and ultra-Instagrammable Snugs for a delicious meal or romantic date night.
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The Aotea Square Ice Rink is open until 31 July on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am - 11pm and Sunday - Thursday 10am - 10pm.
4. SkySlide at SkyCity
Imagine flying through the air 186 metres above Auckland City on a sparkling summer’s day. Now you can do this in the middle of winter. The new SkySlide virtual reality tour at the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower lets you fly on a sleek, swooping wood and glass slide around the tower in an immersive multi-sensory experience. Wearing an Oculus Rift S VR headset and buckled into a wooden seat that mimics the curve of the slide, you’ll twist around the flanks of the Sky Tower, loop up and over steep slopes and plunge over vertical drops while marvelling at the expansive views of the city.
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The SkySlide is available for $15 in addition to your Sky Tower access pass, with experiences running daily from 10.30am until 5.30pm.
