The Auckland Museum Dome is open

I posted a few weeks back on the spectacular Auckland Museum Dome, and suggested that if you're in Auckland you really MUST visit and enjoy it -- it's the best new public space in Auckland for years. Here's what I said then:

The Museum Dome (left) is, in a word, spectacular. The dome itself hovers over one of New Zealand's great public spaces (I don't mean the atrium, which is a mess, but the top floor Events Centre itself).
Standing within emulates the feeling of standing atop one of Auckland's volcanic cones; the dome hovering overhead is perfectly scaled to hold the room full of celebrating seated diners (one of its spendidly intended functions); and shaped to thrust the view out to the landscape beyond -- and it must have one of the most thrilling views of Auckland's high-rises in all Auckland! As a convention centre it is already booked out until 2008 - such a shame, however, if it isn't made more widely available to the public. You owe it to yourself to visit if you can get the chance.

The very good news is that the Museum directors have decided, against initial plans, that they'll be opening up the space to the public as and when they can, but but will almost always on Sunday afternoons between 1 and 4pm. Says director Rodney Wilson:

Because interest in the Dome has been so great, following the recent opening of the Museum's 'Grand Atrium' [which is really not so grand], we have decided to give patrons who visit the 'Vaka Moana' exhibition access to it on tours held from time to time each day (subject to availability of space. We have also introduced weekly tours (again subject to availability) for other Museum visitors who make an entry donation. These weekly tours will be held between 1 and 4pm each Sunday.

Essentially, this means that most days you'll have to buy a ticket to the exhibition, and then wait around for a guide to be available to take you up there. And on Sundays, you can be virtually assured of getting a look-see.

You're probably a little late for this Sunday, but do keep it in mind.

RELATED: Auckland, Architecture