Auckland

[StevieBee]

Off to NZ for a week's work and managed to bookend with a full weekend at either end.

Never having ventured to that part of the world before, grateful for any 'must see / do' suggestions!

[swindler]

Australia

[SunsetZed]

Depends on what interests you but the Bay of Islands is pretty spectacular and you can swim with dolphins if you're lucky. It's about 3 hours North of Auckland so you'd probably want to stay overnight if you did go.

[Kenty]

Auckland is quite nice but not a whole lot to do. Ferry over to Devonport with nice views back to the city is a good trip, we went to a reasonable restaurant, Lord Nelson at 37 Victoria street.

[hornetrider]

Get out of the city, it's just a city. I'd recommend Rotorua or Coromandel.

Or go North.

[NormalWisdom]

As above, Devenport and Bay of Islands are very good (take a trip to Russell, go to see tane mahuta and visit Waitangi) i stayed in Paihia. Head down to Rotorua for hot springs, geysers and all things volcanic. A trip into Ruapehu's crater (south of Taupo) is cool. I love rugby and volcanoes so really enjoyed my time working there.

[audidoody]

A weekend isn't THAT much time to do a lot of things suggested here. Apart from which I'll wager jet lag will knock you for six for a few days.

Book the chance to sail as crew on an Americas Cup yacht.

http://www.exploregroup.co.nz/en/unique-experience...

[StevieBee]

Cheers chaps.

Got two weekends so will give the suggestions a look!

[schmalex]

Go to Cowboys and Indians at Viaduct basin and get smashed!

[David Beer]

Take the ferry to Waikiki island, book a table at mud brick , take the taster menu, best meal ever. Take a boat trip to the hole in the rock. Go to hot springs beach, great fun. Just a few things I did at Xmas, many more of course, will come back.

[audidoody]

David Beer said:

Take the ferry to Waikiki island, .

Pack a lunch. It's a L-O-N-G ferry ride.

[cannondale]

Yeah you won't get there in a weekend!

Think he means Waiheke and totally agree Mud Brick is a great place with even better wine.

Would recommend a trip up the Sky Tower. Go for dinner in the restaurant near the top and the lift up is free.

[David Beer]

Whoops, well it began with W. I did the sky tower for lunch, nice views, the views from mud brick are great.

[havoc]

Hire a car:-
- Coromandel peninsula / hahei beach - very pretty, very twisty roads (VERY!!!), nice climate.
- Rotorua for the mud springs
- Taupo if time - naff town, but it's on a pretty lake and is the gateway to the "Lord of the Rings" mountains to the south.

That's probably a full weekend...hell, maybe skip Taupo. There's an abandoned mine/railway line somewhere between Rotorua and Coromandel also - interesting detour.


Heading the other way (not been), there's an archipelago which is popular for sea yachting and there's 80-mile beach (or however long it is).

In Auckland...well, it's a commercial city...it's not that exciting or different to any other big city. I'd definitely explore.

[acd80]

I was there in 2008 - it's alright - not my favourite part of NZ to be honest although I did spend a good chunk of a day wandering around the Auckland War Memorial Museum which I thought was very good. The Sky Tower was good and I had a wander around the Harbour area.

[Johnniem]

audidoody said:

A weekend isn't THAT much time to do a lot of things suggested here. Apart from which I'll wager jet lag will knock you for six for a few days.

Never a truer word 'n all that! Got back from 6 days in Christchurch (visiting mother who thinks she is a rally driver with good gravel driving skills. Turns out that she isn't! Met a tree. She lost.). Journey back (Emirates) was horrendous due to there being so many stops but the jet lag was worse than I have ever experienced for that journey. Took 10 days to sort that out! Emirates as an airline are good but their route is ste! Hopefully OP, since you are going to to the land of Aucks, you will be travelling with Malaysia Airlines (they're good despite recent events!) and will only have to stop in KL. Good luck fella!

Edited by Johnniem on Friday 9th October 12:18

[Chaffs]

I'll second / third a Waiheke wine tour and the Americas Cup sail experience. Can also recommend The Engine Room over the harbour in Northcote for a spot of dinner. Enjoy, I'm not jealous at all .. really.

[hman]

Hire a ducati, hoon it around all day on the twisties to the east and north east of Auckland.

a marvellous day out!

[magooagain]

Campsite north of Auckland called Matauri bay just a great place to chill out and watch Dolphins .
Rainbow warrior was sunk there with a memorial on the hill.
If you are lucky you may blag some fish from the locals for the bbq.

[StevieBee]

Johnniem said:

Hopefully OP, since you are going to to the land of Aucks, you will be travelling with Malaysia Airlines (they're good despite recent events!) and will only have to stop in KL. Good luck fella!

Thanks - Indeed I am: Via Schipol to KL then on to AKL. Same route back. I'm told it's the least worst option. Plus I'm in Business so I'm hoping it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks for the advise chaps. Looking forward to the trip.