Auckland or Wellington for a long weekend?

[bertflyer]

Hi all,
Mrs bertflyer and I have never been to NZ and are planning to go to either AKL or WLG for a long weekend in late June.
After much googling I am leaning slightly towards WLG but keen to hear the wisdom of AFFers?
It seems both offer great food, cafes etc. We'll likely hire a car to explore a bit too.
Fares are almost identical so no real difference there.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm so over Auckland. Wet and miserable every time I go there.

 

[Mattg]

I personally like AKL. Though I am a fan of WLG too. Auckland has lots of nice restaurants, things to do and plenty of nice islands in Auckland Harbour. I've only been to Wellington once but I do recall there being lots to do there as well. Although it was very windy.

There is also a fair bit to see within a few hours' drive of Auckland, e.g. Coromandel Penisula or Rotorua.

So, my vote would be for Auckland.

 

[ShaneN]

I have not been to either in winter. Wellington can be very cold, wet and windy at any time.

Wellington is a much smaller city, so most of the cafes and restaurants are in within walking distance around the southern end of the CBD around Courtenay Place and Cuba Street. The wonderful Te Papa museum is on the waterfront in the same general area. You may find that Auckland is a bit more spread out.

Wellington is right at the tip of the North Island, so there are not may easy drives. Auckland has some great scenic drives around the coastline or in the mountains to the west of the city.

Both great cities to visit.

 

[TomVexille]

Personal preference is WLG.

 

[burmans]

I guess it depends on what you are interested in. Wellington was rated 4th top city to visit in the world, in either last year or the year before rating by Lonely Planet and referred to it as the "coolest little capital in the world". It is small but has plenty on, very good cafes, craft breweries, restaurants, great cultural attractions and close wineries. Auckland does have most of these things too but is nowhere near as compact and considerably harder to get around.

 

[PLANT]

Do you want an earth shattering experience?

 

[bsb]

Auckland = Sydney. Wellington = Melbourne. Hope that helps.

 

[Deleted member]

Does your long weekend include hiring a car?
I'm an Aucklander (ex) so I am biased. If you are taking a punt on weather Auckland will be a safer bet.
Things to do in AKL.
Catch the ferry to Devonport or even Waiheke, drive around the bay's , plenty of great Restaurants in the down area (try Botswana Butchery share lamb dish) . Wineries in the west (and Waiheke)
Wellington though is great. Smaller. Plenty for the culture vulture. On a clear day Wellington is amazing.

 

[PaulST]

May I suggest Queenstown? I've been there twice in the last year and loved it. Such a beautiful place.
I was in Auckland a few weeks ago and was generally underwhelmed. Never been to Wellington.

 

[Milboo]

PLANT - that's why I avoid Wellington! Plus the wind and cold!

I would either go to Auckland and decamp over to Waiheke Island for the weekend or head into Hawkes Bay for a weekend of wine tasting.

If you do head to Wellington then you could head over the Ruahines and go into Martinborough for the weekend - again wineries etc.

 

[ajd]

+1 for WLG. AKL's urban planning was "inspired" by Los Angeles. WLG on the other hand has a very walkable downtown area, and the harbour is lovely. Lots of the typical national capital attractions, like the kind you find in CBR - National Library, National Museum/Te Papa, Parliament/Beehive, etc - and lots of cafes and the like.

 

[bertflyer]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! We'll make a decision today although I do like the sound of Wellington, being a smaller city and more accessible by foot.

 

[Deleted member]

Just remember it will almost certainly be coughpy weather. So walking not such a great option. If you get a fine day. It will be glorious.

 

[burmans]

Just remember it will almost certainly be coughpy weather. So walking not such a great option. If you get a fine day. It will be glorious.

You guys are too mean, sure Wellington does get some coughpy weather but its not always coughpy, good insulation is enough most days. But either way, youll find plenty of places to nip into to get warm, and for short distances buses or taxis are fine.

 

[Altair]

Personally I would not choose WLG in June. Outside of winter I would choose WLG over AKL, due to all the factors people have added, but it can be very cold. The wind most of the time is very over-hyped by people, of course the occassions when it does blow it really does.
Many wineries in the Wairarapa shut their doors over winter, there still will be some open and the drive when it is not raining is very good.
If you do not mind the cold then WLG is pretty good for a 3-4 day visit.

 

[Buzzard]

I have never been to Wellington but look forward to going.
Auckland on the other hand I have been to twice and am not disappointed. A fabulous city IMHO.

 

[burmans]

Many wineries in the Wairarapa shut their doors over winter, there still will be some open and the drive when it is not raining is very good.

Thats an interesting definition of the road over the Rimutakas! Certainly a very interesting drive when visibility is good but can be hair raising at times.

As for cold, winter is supposed to be cold, an excuse to rug up and enjoy those bars!. Clearly you aren't going to Wellington for its good weather in June, but you arent going to anywhere in NZ to go to the beach in June! Aucklands weather can be pretty rubbish at times too, while Wellington has more extremes, Auckland can have constant drizzel for long periods. Its not called the land of the long white cloud for nothing!

PS. I do like Auckland too but I'd actually say the opposite, Auckland is great in the summer. But if you accept it might be cold, then Wellington is fine in winter. In fact its not really the temperature that is cold, its the windchill factor (when it is windy). I agree with Altair though, the wind factor is overhyped but unquestionably, when it blows it really blows!

 

[serfty]

To me AKL is more like PER.

Can be boring after a day or so, but then again I have flown there 50+ times. There's plenty of interesting places of two to fours hours drive away; those mentioned above as well as Northland, Taupo, Waitomo ..

 

[featheast]

Why not hire a car and drive 2 hours to Rotorua? This is actually my itinerary for the coming Queens Birthday long weekend, with EK F redemption ticket