Suggestions needed for an Auckland newbie?!

[Alanslegal]

Hey all

I am off to Auckland this weekend and wanted to see if you can throw me back some suggestions on what to Do, where to Eat, what to See.

Just as a reference point I am staying at the Mecure Auckland for 2 nights and the Westin for the 3rd and final night.

I'm looking solely at public transport to get from A to B, so anything that does not require me to drive would be ideal

Thanks in Adv. fr. Alan

 

[munitalP]

Angus steak house - great steaks - Fort St (close to Mecure)
cough & Bull - good English pub / restaurant - New Market (great steak n kidney pies!)
Harbourside Seafood Grill - great (bit expensive) food!!

If you like sailing - get out on an Americas Cup racer - you choose your level of involvement

Climb into the crater of one tree hill - write your name in rocks!

Go into the NZ store "The Warehouse" - you will never by an LG item again when you see that NZ rates these goods as "el-cheapo" and considered as throw away...

Take the ferry to devonport - walk up the mount, have high tea in a teahouse

most of all, enjoy the food - it is very good in most restaurants IMHO

Mr!

 

[munitalP]

I just googled looking for another chinese yum cha restaurant we used to frequent and couldn't find it, however... found this Menu

10/10 for views!

Mr!

 

[Alanslegal]

Awesome suggestions Mr!


Getting to/from the airport; the Super Shuttle mini-vans is the most cost efficient? ~$32NZD for two

 

[munitalP]

Personally I only use taxi's or drive myself. Depending on the time of the day and the weather - the shuttle could cost near the same as a taxi, or could be half the price!

At least with a taxi (assuming the driva spooks england) you can converse and at least get a few "heads up" on activities happening in the city of sails

Mr!

 

[notzac]

Very good drinkening available here and here.



Hrm, maybe we need to organise a AFF AKL run?

 

[serfty]

Personally I only use taxi's or drive myself. Depending on the time of the day and the weather - the shuttle could cost near the same as a taxi, or could be half the price!

At least with a taxi (assuming the driva spooks england) you can converse and at least get a few "heads up" on activities happening in the city of sails

Mr!

A taxi between the Airport and Auckland costs at least NZD60 - the airbus heads up and down Queens St and stops very near the Mercure which is on the corner of customs st.

It costs NZD15 one way and NZD22 return, running from around 5am until 10pm mostly every 15 minutes.

More here: Airbus Express (You can print a $1 off one-way voucher)

Out of those hours a "supershuttle" will drop you off or collect you at your hotel at a cost of NZD25 for one and NZD32 for 2 each way. (www.supershuttle.co.nz)

If you want an interesting several hours, take the ferry to Rangitoto I. and check out a 400 year old volcanic island. There is a transporter which will take you close to the crater the top or you can walk.

 

[munitalP]

...

If you want an interesting several hours, take the ferry to Rangitoto I. and check out a 400 year old volcanic island. There is a transporter which will take you close to the crater the top or you can walk.

Yeah, thats a good time waster as well, +1 from me...

Mr!

 

[tuapekastar]

Parnell Road is not too far from town (longish walk, short cab ride) and has plenty of eating options.

 

[Maca44]

Parnell Road is not too far from town (longish walk, short cab ride) and has plenty of eating options.

And great night life with some hotels/bars, one of which is the Albert Hotel although I haven't been there for a couple of years.

 

[UP4014]

Hey all

I am off to Auckland this weekend and wanted to see if you can throw me back some suggestions on what to Do, where to Eat, what to See.

Just as a reference point I am staying at the Mecure Auckland for 2 nights and the Westin for the 3rd and final night.

I'm looking solely at public transport to get from A to B, so anything that does not require me to drive would be ideal

Thanks in Adv. fr. Alan

Keep us posted on what you do end up doing, as I'm over there the following weekend, drive down to Rotorura for Saturday (girlfriend wants to go Zorb Rolling, those big plastic balls you get inside) and Sunday looking at mud?

 

[Flashback]

Keep us posted on what you do end up doing, as I'm over there the following weekend, drive down to Rotorura for Saturday (girlfriend wants to go Zorb Rolling, those big plastic balls you get inside) and Sunday looking at mud?

Zorbing is fun Last time I was up on the Gold Coast I did it.

When I did a Contiki in NZ 2 years ago, quite a few of the people did it also when on the North island; but as I left them in Wellington I missed out. Not such a bad thing though, I was told the accommodation on the North was much worse than the South; don't think I would have survived anyway! :shock:

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks tips everyone.

Thanks for those $1 discount coupons Serfty

And I am now checked-in, having got Seat 45D which I pre-allocated online at time of booking.

 

[Alanslegal]

Keep us posted on what you do end up doing, as I'm over there the following weekend

Ok I'm back from AKL

Firstly I got sucked in by the SuperShuttle people at the terminal exits so thus ended up on one of those than the Airport Express Bus! (that tells you how gullible/easy I am!)

I did eat at Angus Steak House (thanks MunitalP) - and the T-bone steak I had was HUGE, It would easily be 750gms!!! The steak plus all you can eat (but limited range) salad bar was NZD$32 which is great value.

I also ate at Wildfire - which is brazilian churassco - and at NZD$47 all you can eat including breads and also some good entrees!!

I did end up spending most of the day at Waiheke Island and thought it was great to explore the island esp. around the coastal areas which was very picturesque! Small town on Onera? was really quaint and had some good ol' fish & chips by the beach.

Spent some time by Viaduct Harbour which again is really nice, reminds me of King Street Wharf here in Sydney but much nicer!

Also great spots around the City such as Parnell (thanks tuapekastar) and Ponsonby which have great cafes, restaurants, and shops.

I also got sucked in by the Sky Centre? Casino? and the Auckland Fish Market but really both were nothing special, but is good for the "tick the box" kind of tourist!

Apart from the city and visiting Waiheke Island, I didnt venture further out of the city. Guess it just wasn't enough time to go beyond in a bit over three days.

But I can tell you one thing, the Westin Auckland is a fantastic property!!!!

 

[tuapekastar]

Ok I'm back from AKL

Firstly I got sucked in by the SuperShuttle people at the terminal exits so thus ended up on one of those than the Airport Express Bus! (that tells you how gullible/easy I am!)

I did eat at Angus Steak House (thanks MunitalP) - and the T-bone steak I had was HUGE, It would easily be 750gms!!! The steak plus all you can eat (but limited range) salad bar was NZD$32 which is great value.

I also ate at Wildfire - which is brazilian churassco - and at NZD$47 all you can eat including breads and also some good entrees!!

I did end up spending most of the day at Waiheke Island and thought it was great to explore the island esp. around the coastal areas which was very picturesque! Small town on Onera? was really quaint and had some good ol' fish & chips by the beach.

Spent some time by Viaduct Harbour which again is really nice, reminds me of King Street Wharf here in Sydney but much nicer!

Also great spots around the City such as Parnell (thanks tuapekastar) and Ponsonby which have great cafes, restaurants, and shops.

I also got sucked in by the Sky Centre? Casino? and the Auckland Fish Market but really both were nothing special, but is good for the "tick the box" kind of tourist!

Apart from the city and visiting Waiheke Island, I didnt venture further out of the city. Guess it just wasn't enough time to go beyond in a bit over three days.

But I can tell you one thing, the Westin Auckland is a fantastic property!!!!

Sounds like you packed a lot into your stay Alanslegal.

Thanks for reporting back...Waiheke Island is one place I haven't been (and we have old family friends who live there), so must put that on the 'to do' list. Westin must be good also...