Howick Historical Village
Just a five-minute drive from Botany, spread across seven acres of heritage gardens in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Howick Historical Village is one of Auckland's most immersive and underrated attractions. Wander through authentically furnished colonial buildings, chat with costumed characters, and feel the 1840s snap into vivid focus around you.
A Living History Museum
The village depicts colonial life in Tāmaki Makaurau from 1840 to 1880, focusing on the Fencible soldier settlers who were among the first Europeans to put down roots in East Auckland — a story that is specific, human, and genuinely moving.
More than 30 heritage buildings are scattered across the grounds, each filled with authentic furniture, textiles, and personal stories that let you walk into a cottage, a schoolroom, a blacksmith's forge, or a general store and feel the weight of another era.
The second Sunday of every month is a Live Day when costumed staff and volunteers bring the whole village to life with demonstrations, traditional games, and hands-on crafts — the best possible day to visit if you can plan around it.
Gardens, Gift Shop & Getting the Most From Your Visit
The heritage gardens alone are worth the admission price — beautifully maintained and bursting with period-appropriate plantings, they provide a genuinely lovely backdrop for photography at any time of year.
The refurbished gift shop stocks New Zealand-made homewares, jewellery, books, and old-fashioned sweets — a far cry from the usual museum shop and worth at least 20 minutes of browsing.
Pick up a map at the entrance and follow the numbered buildings in order; allow at least two hours to do the village justice, or longer on Live Days when there is always something unexpected happening around the next corner.
Howick Historical Village on video
More of Botany
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Botany →
