Auckland or Wellington for a long weekend?

[Revolio]

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

Don't forget to pack a clothes peg.

 

[cory]

I would even suggest Christchurch, in the main CBD can walk everywhere by foot, nice parks and the river is nice. Decent bars and pubs plenty of close wineries. Just not a scenic the city itself since the earthquake, can get some cheap accom there though however and flights.

 

[gordon35au]

I have been on a number of occasions to both cities and actually enjoy both of them. There certainly more scenically to do in Auckland and you can always hop on business or first class on Emirates as a special treat.

On the other hand Wellington has the World of Wearable Art at the end of Sept. I have been to this 3 times and every time it is well worth seeing.

Enjoy which ever city you end up going to as NZ has lots to offer

 

[Revolio]

I would even suggest Christchurch, in the main CBD can walk everywhere by foot, nice parks and the river is nice. Decent bars and pubs plenty of close wineries. Just not a scenic the city itself since the earthquake, can get some cheap accom there though however and flights.

The temporary shopping mall in the middle of Christchurch has some really interesting food stalls. One does a berry smoothie - I went back for a third one and had no need to eat for the rest of the day. Globally number one. I might be biased though; NZ is the favourite o/s destination for this NZ-admiring Aussie.

 

[RAM]

I'd vote for AKL- especially if you like a walk.

Last time there caught a ferry from City wharf to Rangitoto Island in Auckland harbour. So convenient to go explore a dormant volcano, have a harbour boat ride and get some exercise. Can also fish off the wharf on the sea-side of Rangitoto. You MUST have good walking shoes as you walk (it may have changed but) on the various rocks it has spat out in the past. Views from top of Auckland (harbour 5 times size of Sydney's) and the other islands and ocean are brilliant most of the time.

If raining you can still walk as it never gets flooded/muddy but need real water proof gear. Same for Windy Wellington though - just a few degrees cooler there and when it is windy wind chill is severe.

Rangitoto Island
Island in New Zealand

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. The 5.5 km wide island is an iconic and widely visible landmark of Auckland with its distinctive symmetrical shield.

Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand. It is an iconic landmark of Auckland as its distinctive symmetrical 260 metre (850 feet) high shield volcano cone is visible from much of the city. It is the most recent and the largest (2311 hectares) of the approximately 48 volcanoes of the Auckland Volcanic Field.
Rangitoto Island Reviews - Auckland, Auckland Region Attractions - TripAdvisor

Experience Rangitoto Island, book a Volcanic Explorer Tour with Fullers

Departure	Please see our current Rangitoto timetable for this information.
Ferry Price	Adult $30.00, Child $15.00, Family $75.00

Did I say I enjoyed exploring it!

 

[NFF]

Which of the two cities resemble Hobart ?

 

[burmans]

Which of the two cities resemble Hobart ?

That would be Wellington.

 

[Zaib Naeem]

I live in Perth and in March this year took my family on a 10 day trip to Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington.
My recommendation, go to Wellington if you are going for a weekend. Auckland is quite spread out and you will be spending most of the time on road. Wellington has got a European feel, full of culture, beautiful food and very accessible. Add cable car which takes you on top of a hill with beautiful views, amazing botanical gardens and Te Papa, Sothern Hemisphere's most visited museum with free entrance, you just can't beat Wellington.

 

[OZDUCK]

We visited both Auckland and Wellington last October/November and I would also recommend Wellington for a weekend trip. Lots of interesting buildings and walks. Cuba St is fun at night - we were there at Halloween and the costumes were quite amusing. Te Papa was excellent. We had a very nice three days there.

Auckland was fine with nice trips out of it but the city itself seemed "just another biggish city".

 

[opusman]

I think both cities are nice and good for a short visit. Last time we went to AKL we stayed at the Casino hotel which is very central and were pleasantly surprised to find quite a few new "trendy" (e.g. Melbourne/Sydney style) cafes and bars, and some excellent restaurants, within easy walking distance.

Whichever city you pick just make sure it's not for a public holiday that NZ shares, since the whole place will basically shut dwn. We made the mistake of going at Easter one time and AKL felt like Adelaide in the 1970s.

 

[puppysparkes]

My preference is AKL. We did a day trip to Wellington from AKL and squeezed in all the attractions. I'm not a car enthusiast but we missed this due to time http://www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz

Even if you're not an art fanboi Gibbs farm near AKL looks interesting http://www.gibbsfarm.org.nz

 

[burmans]

Whichever city you pick just make sure it's not for a public holiday that NZ shares, since the whole place will basically shut dwn. We made the mistake of going at Easter one time and AKL felt like Adelaide in the 1970s.

Not so sure of this one, this is a function of many big cities but its not universal. E.g. go to North Sydney on a weekend and its like a ghost town but plenty of other places are buzzing. AKL would be dead in the city itself but would be buzzing in places like Ponsonby and Parnell. I was in Wellington a few Easter's ago, one end of town dead but the Lambton Quay/Cuba St area very busy.

 

[BAM1748]

I've flown into Wellington and hired a car and driven to Wellington over a weekend via the west and via Rotorua.

Plenty to look at in both places, if it's your first trip does it matter.

If you're not planning on hiring a car Auckland might be better, stay at the Sofitel and walk.

Matt

 

[scallops]

WLG is great, try the Boulcott Street Bistro. Great place to wine and dine

 

[Altair]

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.

So berflyer which city did you choose in the end and have you flown already, I guess if it was Queen's Birthday you have.
Weather here today is very gusty, all night along you could hear the gusts and feel the house move, still is is not cold unlike my holiday down Otago/Southland last week below zero at night and highs of 6 but little snow around, well compared to July that is.

 

[burmans]

So berflyer which city did you choose in the end and have you flown already, I guess if it was Queen's Birthday you have.
Weather here today is very gusty, all night along you could hear the gusts and feel the house move, still is is not cold unlike my holiday down Otago/Southland last week below zero at night and highs of 6 but little snow around, well compared to July that is.

You dont go to NZ in winter to get a suntan!

But some like the cold, dressing up snuggly while you are out, then a drink in front of a warm fire at night.

 

[Justinf]

Welly is an awesome little city. Highly recommend it.

 

[Altair]

Welly is an awesome little city. Highly recommend it.

I know

I got a nice partial sutan from my week down south....unfortunately restricted to hands and head.

As someone who grew up on the beaches of Sydney though you do miss the sun, sand and surf one of which we do have in Wellington you just need a very good wetsuit even in summer IMO:shock: