Four nights in Auckland in July

[Daver6]

MrsDaver6 and I will have four nights in Auckland in July. Essentially a status run, but then decided to make a few days of it. Never been to NZ. We arrive last on a Friday evening and depart early the following Tuesday morning, leaving three fulls days.

Accommodation is the Hilton and currently no plans to hire a car. Uber/public transport are much easier, but if that's not the case then, I'd like to know.

Looking for suggestions. Given I suspect the weather could be rather wet and miserable, we'd like to have some both alternative options should outdoors not be an option.

Things we like. Eating out, wine and a bit of a walk. I'm told Waiheke Island is worth a visit and notice there are some winery tours. My hesitation with these is they tend to be aimed at the lowest common denominator and sometimes just a drinkathon.

So, any suggestions on some great restaurants, bars etc would be appreciated. Perhaps even an organised day trip somewhere could be an option.

Thanks in advance.

 

[opusman]

Nice wineries on Waiheke for lunch (not sure what you mean by "drinkathon" but they're proper wineries and proper restaurants, and it's a good way to get on the harbour). The zoo is nice if you like animals. You can do a day trip to Rotorua if you like the smell of sulphur. You can also bungee jump off the tower.

We had a very nice meal at Clooney a few years ago and would recommend it.

 

[Daver6]

Drinkathon was more in reference to some day wine tours where you go to several wineries. Some of the people on those are there to get as much "free" booze into them.

Waiheke - If we just take the ferry across, how does one get around the the wineries? Taxi? Any particular spots you'd recommend?

 

[RB]

We have done a couple of trips to NZ & had a fantastic time on both occasions. A site that I found really useful was Rankers-you are doing a different style of break to what we did & at a different time but if you scroll down there is a dedicated section re Auckland-as with all reviews your reading will help to ignore some posts

Auckland Region, New Zealand - Online Reviews and Traveller Ratings

 

[Deleted member]

There are plenty of good restaurants and wineries on waiheke, an excellent day trip option.
If the weather is truly miserable, the war memorial museum is good, big PI section, but many and varied exhibits and displays. I wouldn't drive to Rotorua and back in a day, it is a 2-3 day visit on its own in my opinion. Parnell has some great restaurants and art galleries (close to the museum) Devonport is a ferry ride across from the city, but I admit, probably more of a summer spot.

 

[opusman]

First time we went to Waiheke we just went to the one winery which was about a 20 minute walk from ferry, so we just walked. Second time we hired a car and drove around a bit before and after lunch. Car wasn't that cheap (or particularly new) but it worked and I don't think they charged for fuel.

There are also taxis I believe.

 

[VPS]

Yes there are taxis. Hire cars are expensive because they have a captive audience and we had to fill up with fuel.

23

We went to Te Motu for lunch which was very good.

 

[VPS]

and no idea what the 23 means - sorry

 

[AviationNZ]

My two favourites on Waiheke are Mudbrick and Cable Bay. Both amazing wineries and restaurants with spectacular views. If I had to choose one, it'd be Mudbrick by a nose.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

My two favourites on Waiheke are Mudbrick and Cable Bay. Both amazing wineries and restaurants with spectacular views. If I had to choose one, it'd be Mudbrick by a nose.

+1 for Cable Bay - great place.

 

[Deleted member]

And then there is this.
http://www.viva.co.nz/article/culture-travel/soothing-hot-pools/?ref=nzhbox

 

[bsb]

Waiheke has been covered, so won't add to that other than it's worthwhile

Auckland is expensive for taxis and the public transport is average to bad depending on where you want to get to.

The Art gallery in town is actually a beautiful building and has an ok collection, but I like the architecture. You can walk up to the university from there which is a nice walk. yo can fill the rest of that day in with the city and around the waterfront. But AKL is, in general, a pretty average CBD and best avoided IMHO.

Parnell as mentioned has some OK places, but I prefer Ponsonby which is on the other side of the CBD, do both and you'll get a good experience. Ponsonby IMHO is better - go to SPQR and eat (it's been there forever and is still cool and has minor celebs there all the time) or next door at Ponsonby Central which is an old warehouse converted into a food and wine emporium with lots to choose from.

Seriously, hire a car for a day and drive to the Waitakere ranges and on to Piha beach. You won't be disappointed. There is a cafe there that is quintessential NZ (as in lots of yummy food and 'slices' because you'll be in the land of the long iced slice). I'm pretty sure it's called Piha cafe. Even in coughpy weather that black sand beach is amazing. You'll recognise it from tv shows and movies. On the way back come back via Kumeu which is a wine district and go to Kim Crawford wines and you MUST have dinner at The Tasting Shed.

If you're a wildlife lover, (in NZ that means birds) take a day trip to Tiritiri Matangi. Google it. It's stunning (if that's your thing) and do the guided walk.

 

[pjm99au]

For Auckland restaurants I can recommend Ortolana for a really good brunch and Ostro for dinner both in Britomart and easy walking from the Hilton.

 

[kermatu]

I believe there is a hop-on hop-off bus on Waiheke which goes past wineries, beaches etc. Not cheap but certainty of times / prices etc may make it an option.

I spend a fair bit of time in Auckland and agree that a day or two outside of the city is a must. It is a very standard city, albeit quite attractive and very friendly. July is not the best time for wandering though.

I have found taxis i the city to be reasonable. A $10 note usually covers me and a tip (in recognition of a short fare). To/from airport I always use Super Shuttle - for a solo traveller it is far cheaper, very quick and 100% reliable.

Hilton is pretty well located in that it is on the flat so no dramas walking around and the walk home will always be downhill.

Avoid the restaurants on Princes Wharf itself (where Hilton is) or the Viaduct - over-priced and nothing special, in my limited experience. Not too far away are Ortolana (as mentioned above) and Ebise (Japanese) which are very good. I've also enjoyed Cafe Hanoi, and Orleans - which are more vibrant but the food is still great. Cafe Hanoi has become one of the spots in the past couple of years so I haven't been there my last couple of visits. These are all around Britomart so about 700m from Hilton and a flat walk. (Closer to where I tend to stay these day - the Pullman - but a bit of a killer climb back to the hotel!).

I am a bit confined to the city for work but if you have the chance, I'd endorse the earlier suggestions to get out of the CBD.

 

[Daver6]

Thanks everyone for the great tips!

From what I can tell, Uber operates in Auckland. Anyone care to comment whether airport pick-ups with Uber are ok there? We arrive pretty late at night and given two of us, will likely just pay for a taxi/uber to get to our hotel.

Is it safe to assume I can pay for a taxi with a credit card?

I suspect some uphill walking is going to be in order given all the eating I might need to do

Finally, any bars with a view? I realise these kind of places are usually pricey and touristy...but we will be tourists after all.

 

[kermatu]

No problems with credit cards in taxis in my experience.

 

[NZflygirl]

Cheap cabs taxis are $35 for cash from the airport to Hilton and $39 with cc.
You can meet Uber just over the road next to the Novotel in the carpark next door.
Parking a car is awful around the Hilton $45 for valet. There is a downtown carpark though you can leave it overnight for cheaper prices.

bookme.co.nz has a few activities if they interest you.

Eats wise you are very close to Euro - braised cheeks with risotto are YUM! Great relaxed atmosphere, good service.
Crab shack has a few more sea food options, reasonably priced.
Wildfire is yum as well - people brining around food to you.
Google map them they are just across the alley way from Hilton.
Coley and punch is a whisky bar.

There is Grove as well, Clooneys, just depends on if you want high end or middle. We never seem to make Clooneys despite booking twice!

If you are an entertainment book member you can also get the NZ book for $30 and you will save $$ on the eating out experience at least. The above restaurants are in there as well as FISH (Hilton restaurant - its more worthwhile saving the money than getting the points but you can still get points on the residual bill).

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/288516


You can go zip lining on Waiheke also. The wineries were pretty good when we went around, they weren't drink-a-thons.

If you get a car you can get further out to other areas.

 

[kermatu]

I forgot Euro (which is indeed close to Hilton) - it is very good, though I personally don't rate the others in the area.

I actually like the room service in the Hilton. Reasonably extensive menu and no mark-up on what you'd pay at the restaurant.

 

[donovan301]

.

I actually like the room service in the Hilton. Reasonably extensive menu and no mark-up on what you'd pay at the restaurant.

And if you can get a balcony on the Eastern side facing the Ferries, then you get cracking sunrises over the Northshore and Rangitoto Island.
Also, the view of the busy goings on in the local harbour area.

Completely agree with the Room service comments btw.

 

[kermatu]

And if you can get a balcony on the Eastern side facing the Ferries, then you get cracking sunrises over the Northshore and Rangitoto Island.
Also, the view of the busy goings on in the local harbour area.

Completely agree with the Room service comments btw.

As long as there's no cruise ship docked alongside! Should be safe in July.