Updated in October 2026, this Hundertwasser Art Centre (Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery) guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Hundertwasser Art Centre is an art gallery and architectural landmark at the Town Basin in Whangārei, Northland, New Zealand. It opened in 2022 and holds 80 original works by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, adult admission costs NZ$30 and children aged 5 to 17 pay NZ$20, not the free child entry some guides still list.
Quick facts for the Hundertwasser Art Centre
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 81 Dent Street, Town Basin, Whangārei 0110. The main entrance is beside the marina |
| Opening hours | Daily 10:00 to 16:00. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday |
| Guided tours | Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 to 12:00 |
| Adult admission | NZ$30 |
| Senior (65+) | NZ$25 |
| Child (5 to 17) | NZ$20 |
| Family pass | NZ$80 for 2 adults and up to 3 children |
| Free to enter | Ground-floor entry area and MuseumShop |
| Typical visit | One to one and a half hours |
| Phone | +64 9 430 4230 |
Why book tickets for the Hundertwasser Art Centre?
- 🎨 80 original Hundertwasser works: The Hundertwasser in New Zealand 1973–2000 exhibition is the largest collection outside Vienna.
- 🏛️ The last authentic Hundertwasser building: Curved lines, mosaic columns and a golden dome mean no two windows are alike.
- 🌿 A living roof with 360-degree views: The Afforested Roof is planted with native species and overlooks the marina and Town Basin.
- 🪶 Contemporary Māori art: The Wairau Māori Art Gallery is the first dedicated public gallery for contemporary Māori art.
- ☕ Coffee discount at Aqua: Show your ticket at the restaurant for 20% off your coffee.
Ticket prices for the Hundertwasser Art Centre – and how to book
All prices are in New Zealand dollars. A ticket gives access to the Hundertwasser exhibition, the Wairau Māori Art Gallery and the Afforested Roof, and it is valid all day.
| Ticket | General | NZ resident | Whangārei District resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | NZ$30 | NZ$25 | NZ$20 |
| Senior (65+) | NZ$25 | NZ$20 | NZ$15 |
| Child (5 to 17) | NZ$20 | NZ$15 | NZ$10 |
| Family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children) | NZ$80 | NZ$65 | NZ$50 |
| Afforested Roof only | NZ$10 | NZ$10 | Half price |
| Wairau Māori Art Gallery only | NZ$10 | NZ$10 | Half price |
| Guided tour (on top of admission) | NZ$20 | NZ$20 | NZ$20 |
| Audio guide | NZ$7 | NZ$7 | NZ$7 |
| Viator admission ticket | From about US$15 |
NZ resident tickets can be bought online or at the door, and you show proof of residence such as a New Zealand driver licence at check-in. Whangārei District resident tickets are sold in person only, with proof of address. Cardholders of the Hāpai Access Card receive a discount.
The shop and ground-floor entry area are free. You can book through Viator for a general admission ticket. Gift vouchers are also available.
Opening hours for the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The centre opens every day from 10:00 to 16:00. It closes only on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Weekday and weekend hours are the same.
| Service | Hours |
|---|---|
| Gallery, exhibition and roof | Daily 10:00 to 16:00 |
| MuseumShop | Daily 10:00 to 16:00 |
| Guided tours | Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 to 12:00 |
| Aqua Restaurant | Brunch and lunch daily, dinner Wednesday to Saturday |
How to get to the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The centre is at 81 Dent Street, but the main entrance faces the Town Basin marina. It stands on the Hātea Loop walkway and is a short stroll from the city centre. By car, Whangārei is about two hours’ drive north of Auckland on State Highway 1. Follow signs for the Town Basin, then turn onto Dent Street.
Parking at the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The Town Basin car park is reached from Dent Street and charges by the hour. Free parking is available a short walk away at Finlayson Street car park and Reyburn House Lane car park. Mobility parking is available in nearby public car parks and in the parking area opposite Pak’nSave on Dent Street.
How long to spend at the Hundertwasser Art Centre
Allow one to one and a half hours for the exhibition, the Māori art gallery and the roof. Some visitors stay about two hours, including a film in the theatre. Add time for a meal at Aqua or a guided tour.
Accessibility at the Hundertwasser Art Centre
A lift moves between floors, and wheelchair-accessible pathways run throughout the building. The floors undulate by design to mimic natural terrain, including in the foyer. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are on the ground and first floors.
Two wheelchairs can be reserved in advance through the front desk, and walking sticks are available. Roof access is by lift or stairwell. A ramp on the marina side leads to the restaurant. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome, and visitors with significant visual impairments receive a free audio guide.
What to see at the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The building. Hundertwasser disliked straight lines, so the centre has curved walls, ceramic mosaic columns and a golden dome. No two windows are the same, and the former harbour board building was transformed to his design.
The Hundertwasser in New Zealand 1973–2000 exhibition. This exhibition shows 80 original works, including paintings, prints, watercolours, tapestries and architectural models. It is the largest collection of his work outside Vienna.
The Wairau Māori Art Gallery. This ground-floor gallery presents changing exhibitions of contemporary Māori art. The name “Wairau” translates Hundertwasser’s surname as “one hundred waters”.
The Afforested Roof. A green roof planted with native New Zealand species forms a garden above the city. It offers views of the Whangārei marina and Town Basin.
The theatre. A small theatre screens short films about Hundertwasser’s art, architecture and way of life. They explain why he rejected straight lines and favoured nature.
Aqua Restaurant and the MuseumShop. Aqua serves brunch, lunch and dinner on selected days, with views over the Hātea River. The MuseumShop sells Hundertwasser-designed porcelain, art prints, books, jewellery and Māori art.
Practical visitor tips for the Hundertwasser Art Centre
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | You can buy tickets at the door, but book tickets in advance to secure your day. |
| Bring proof of residence | NZ resident and Whangārei District rates need a driver licence or proof of address at check-in. |
| Join the 11:00 tour | Public guided tours run Thursday to Sunday and cover the exhibition, the gallery and the roof. |
| Use your ticket at Aqua | Show your admission ticket at the restaurant for 20% off your coffee. |
| Bring a layer for the roof | The roof can be windy, especially in winter. |
Frequently asked questions about the Hundertwasser Art Centre
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is the Hundertwasser Art Centre open? | Every day from 10:00 to 16:00, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. |
| How much does entry cost? | General admission is NZ$30 for adults and NZ$20 for children aged 5 to 17. Child entry is not free. |
| Do I need a ticket to visit the shop? | No. The MuseumShop and ground-floor entry area are free to enter. |
| Can I visit the roof only? | Yes. A roof-only ticket costs NZ$10. The roof is also included in general admission. |
| Is the centre accessible? | Yes. A lift and wheelchair-accessible pathways serve the whole building. Advance booking is recommended so you can plan your day, and wheelchairs can be reserved at the front desk. |
Things to do near the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The Whangārei Art Museum is a short walk along Dent Street in the Town Basin.
The Hātea Loop is a walking and cycling path around the Hātea River that passes the art centre.
The Hihiaua Cultural Centre celebrates Māori arts on the banks of the Hātea River.
Kiwi North is a kiwi house, museum and heritage park in Whangārei.
Whangārei Falls is a waterfall with a walking track in a bush setting, a short drive from the city centre.
Alternatives to the Hundertwasser Art Centre
The Hundertwasser Art Centre is the last authentic Hundertwasser building, so no other attraction matches it. The options below are other art and heritage sites within about two hours’ travel.
The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa are public toilets designed by Hundertwasser in the town where he lived.
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Paihia is the historic site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.
Kerikeri Basin is a historic harbour with New Zealand’s oldest stone building, the Stone Store.
The Kawiti Glowworm Caves is a family-owned cave near Kawakawa with guided tours.
The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is a major art museum, about two hours south in Auckland.
More New Zealand North Island travel
Other North Island travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Milky Way Glowworm Cave visitor guide: See the little bugs sparkle on this Waipu cave roof.
- Sailing an Americas Cup yacht in Auckland.
- 7 memorable things to do in Auckland.
- Auckland’s islands: Guides to Tiritiri Matangi and the Rangitoto Island ferry.
- Plan your visit to Whatipu Beach in Auckland.
