Advice for a Auckland holiday

CharltonKerry

We are both in our early ‘70’s would say that we were fairly active, but just had an operation on my foot which means 6 weeks of rest so might not be that active 😀. Anyway we are flying out on the 1/1/26 and landing 3/1 and staying at the Cordis hotel as it was recommended as being local. Whilst I’m inactive I thought I look into some day tour to undertake in the local area and wondered if any of the Kiwi addicts might have some suggestions, we both like the water, enjoy wine, like sports especially cricket and football and enjoy good food. We are thinking of doing some wine tasting, perhaps a moonlight meal around the harbour, we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to do with the Hobbits, but fancy something like Maori culture etc., perhaps a zoo. After 9 days in Auckland we will depart on a 61 night cruise, so we intend to have a day shopping for things like toothpaste, cold medicines etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated especially your company names, guides etc. thanking you in advance.

Hal1x

CharltonKerry said:

We are both in our early ‘70’s would say that we were fairly active, but just had an operation on my foot which means 6 weeks of rest so might not be that active 😀. Anyway we are flying out on the 1/1/26 and landing 3/1 and staying at the Cordis hotel as it was recommended as being local. Whilst I’m inactive I thought I look into some day tour to undertake in the local area and wondered if any of the Kiwi addicts might have some suggestions, we both like the water, enjoy wine, like sports especially cricket and football and enjoy good food. We are thinking of doing some wine tasting, perhaps a moonlight meal around the harbour, we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to do with the Hobbits, but fancy something like Maori culture etc., perhaps a zoo. After 9 days in Auckland we will depart on a 61 night cruise, so we intend to have a day shopping for things like toothpaste, cold medicines etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated especially your company names, guides etc. thanking you in advance.

thats a bloody long flight, are you going by seaplane?, take lots of Barley Suger.

redman

Are you just Staying in Auckland for 6 weeks? If you're going that far it seems a shame not to visit many of the other parts of this beautiful country. If you like wine it would certainly seem a shame not to visit the Marlborough region for a couple of nights. Loads of vineyards in close proximity. Various tours. We did a cycle tour (if your foot can do this) and visited some. However Marlborough is north of South issland. 

CharltonKerry

redman said:

Are you just Staying in Auckland for 6 weeks? If you're going that far it seems a shame not to visit many of the other parts of this beautiful country. If you like wine it would certainly seem a shame not to visit the Marlborough region for a couple of nights. Loads of vineyards in close proximity. Various tours. We did a cycle tour (if your foot can do this) and visited some. However Marlborough is north of South issland. 

No Only 9 days before departing on a 61 night cruise, sorry if I didn’t make that clear, the cruise will take us down and around the South Island, then to Australia and all stations to Tokyo.

Hal1x said:

CharltonKerry said:

We are both in our early ‘70’s would say that we were fairly active, but just had an operation on my foot which means 6 weeks of rest so might not be that active 😀. Anyway we are flying out on the 1/1/26 and landing 3/1 and staying at the Cordis hotel as it was recommended as being local. Whilst I’m inactive I thought I look into some day tour to undertake in the local area and wondered if any of the Kiwi addicts might have some suggestions, we both like the water, enjoy wine, like sports especially cricket and football and enjoy good food. We are thinking of doing some wine tasting, perhaps a moonlight meal around the harbour, we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to do with the Hobbits, but fancy something like Maori culture etc., perhaps a zoo. After 9 days in Auckland we will depart on a 61 night cruise, so we intend to have a day shopping for things like toothpaste, cold medicines etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated especially your company names, guides etc. thanking you in advance.

thats a bloody long flight, are you going by seaplane?, take lots of Barley Suger.

it’s 27 hours in total with 23 hours in the air, get a fair few emirates miles mind you.

jimmymelrose

My advice, certainly if you have as much as 9 days is to get out of Auckland.  Go to Rotarua or Lake Taupo, or visit the beaches around Tauranga. You maybe limited to the north of the North island but 9 days is far too long to stay in Auckland doing day trips.

Who recommended staying at the Cordis hotel?  Was it a reputable travel agent? Have you already booked 9 days in this hotel?

I worked in travel agencies for 3 years, one specialising in Australia and New Zealand.  I can’t imagine any agent recommending 9 days in an Auckland hotel.

ForeverAddickted

Consider a Day Trip via. Tour up to the Bay of Islands

LargeAddick

CharltonKerry said:

redman said:

Are you just Staying in Auckland for 6 weeks? If you're going that far it seems a shame not to visit many of the other parts of this beautiful country. If you like wine it would certainly seem a shame not to visit the Marlborough region for a couple of nights. Loads of vineyards in close proximity. Various tours. We did a cycle tour (if your foot can do this) and visited some. However Marlborough is north of South issland. 

No Only 9 days before departing on a 61 night cruise, sorry if I didn’t make that clear, the cruise will take us down and around the South Island, then to Australia and all stations to Tokyo.

Hal1x said:

CharltonKerry said:

We are both in our early ‘70’s would say that we were fairly active, but just had an operation on my foot which means 6 weeks of rest so might not be that active 😀. Anyway we are flying out on the 1/1/26 and landing 3/1 and staying at the Cordis hotel as it was recommended as being local. Whilst I’m inactive I thought I look into some day tour to undertake in the local area and wondered if any of the Kiwi addicts might have some suggestions, we both like the water, enjoy wine, like sports especially cricket and football and enjoy good food. We are thinking of doing some wine tasting, perhaps a moonlight meal around the harbour, we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to do with the Hobbits, but fancy something like Maori culture etc., perhaps a zoo. After 9 days in Auckland we will depart on a 61 night cruise, so we intend to have a day shopping for things like toothpaste, cold medicines etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated especially your company names, guides etc. thanking you in advance.

thats a bloody long flight, are you going by seaplane?, take lots of Barley Suger.

it’s 27 hours in total with 23 hours in the air, get a fair few emirates miles mind you.

Sounds like a fantastic holiday, hope you have a great time. Can't help on North Island or Auckland but spent a week travelling South Island with @jimmymelrose years ago. Don't know where your cruise ship will be berthing up but plenty to see and do on day excursions.

eastterrace6168

CharltonKerry said:

We are both in our early ‘70’s would say that we were fairly active, but just had an operation on my foot which means 6 weeks of rest so might not be that active 😀. Anyway we are flying out on the 1/1/26 and landing 3/1 and staying at the Cordis hotel as it was recommended as being local. Whilst I’m inactive I thought I look into some day tour to undertake in the local area and wondered if any of the Kiwi addicts might have some suggestions, we both like the water, enjoy wine, like sports especially cricket and football and enjoy good food. We are thinking of doing some wine tasting, perhaps a moonlight meal around the harbour, we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to do with the Hobbits, but fancy something like Maori culture etc., perhaps a zoo. After 9 days in Auckland we will depart on a 61 night cruise, so we intend to have a day shopping for things like toothpaste, cold medicines etc.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated especially your company names, guides etc. thanking you in advance.

No idea re Aukland, but that all sounds like an absolutely fantastic hoilday mate,... if you need anyone to carry your cases, give me a call...🙄

CharltonKerry

jimmymelrose said:

My advice, certainly if you have as much as 9 days is to get out of Auckland.  Go to Rotarua or Lake Taupo, or visit the beaches around Tauranga. You maybe limited to the north of the North island but 9 days is far too long to stay in Auckland doing day trips.

Who recommended staying at the Cordis hotel?  Was it a reputable travel agent? Have you already booked 9 days in this hotel?

I worked in travel agencies for 3 years, one specialising in Australia and New Zealand.  I can’t imagine any agent recommending 9 days in an Auckland hotel.

Our travel agent, we only paid £100 deposit so can easily be cancelled  was initially going to catch train down to Wellington but apparently it closed for maintenance that time of year. Perfectly to get day tours out and about to surrounding areas but wife want to come back to the hotel each night. 

ForeverAddickted

CharltonKerry said:

jimmymelrose said:

My advice, certainly if you have as much as 9 days is to get out of Auckland.  Go to Rotarua or Lake Taupo, or visit the beaches around Tauranga. You maybe limited to the north of the North island but 9 days is far too long to stay in Auckland doing day trips.

Who recommended staying at the Cordis hotel?  Was it a reputable travel agent? Have you already booked 9 days in this hotel?

I worked in travel agencies for 3 years, one specialising in Australia and New Zealand.  I can’t imagine any agent recommending 9 days in an Auckland hotel.

Our travel agent, we only paid £100 deposit so can easily be cancelled  was initially going to catch train down to Wellington but apparently it closed for maintenance that time of year. Perfectly to get day tours out and about to surrounding areas but wife want to come back to the hotel each night. 

Shame that the train down to Wellington is closed, I did that so I could see a good part of the North Island in a day and you see some great Scenery (Plus Wellington is really underrated I think as a City) - But its a LONG journey, takes about ten hours, which is a lot, given you'll have already done a flight not long beforehand just to get to New Zealand.

LargeAddick

Sounds like you'll have to give Wellington the boot.

eastterrace6168

LargeAddick said:

Sounds like you'll have to give Wellington the boot.

CheshireFan

Have family in Auckland so have been many times, just back actually.  I'd recommend a boat trip out to Waiheke Island.  Many excellent wineries.  I think you'll love NZ it's an incredibly civilised place.  As an Addick you may want to visit the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

jimmymelrose

CharltonKerry said:

jimmymelrose said:

My advice, certainly if you have as much as 9 days is to get out of Auckland.  Go to Rotarua or Lake Taupo, or visit the beaches around Tauranga. You maybe limited to the north of the North island but 9 days is far too long to stay in Auckland doing day trips.

Who recommended staying at the Cordis hotel?  Was it a reputable travel agent? Have you already booked 9 days in this hotel?

I worked in travel agencies for 3 years, one specialising in Australia and New Zealand.  I can’t imagine any agent recommending 9 days in an Auckland hotel.

Our travel agent, we only paid £100 deposit so can easily be cancelled  was initially going to catch train down to Wellington but apparently it closed for maintenance that time of year. Perfectly to get day tours out and about to surrounding areas but wife want to come back to the hotel each night. 

You do you you want but it seems a shame to me. Your wife does realise that there are hotels outside of Auckland, doesn’t she? Surely you weren’t going to do a day trip from Auckland to Wellington and back?

I just think it’s better to stay in other places.  Rotarua alone has a lot to see and do, even if you’re not up to the more exerting activities, that a day trip will not allow. You could stay there for 3 days, and do a day trip from there to Lake Taupo for one day. 

I would advise to split the holiday into 3 location for 3 days each. Other locations to book a hotel include the Bay of Islands ( as someone else suggested) and the Coromandel peninsula or Tauranga.

Would you book a 9 day holiday in summer in Europe and spend it all in that country’s biggest city, for example in London doing day trips to The Cotswolds, East Anglia, and Sussex?

My advice is to do some research. 

CharltonKerry

Thanks Jimmy .

DamoNorthStand

Just came back from NZ (well last September). Spent a few days in Auckland but I echo people saying the South Island has to be visited if you’re going that far. The photos don’t do it justice but I will try and upload some later.

It was mindblowing.

CharltonKerry

We are going to the South Island and will be covered by day tour.

ForeverAddickted

CharltonKerry said:

We are going to the South Island and will be covered by day tour.

Where on the South Island is the Cruise going?

KiwiValley

CheshireFan said:

Have family in Auckland so have been many times, just back actually.  I'd recommend a boat trip out to Waiheke Island.  Many excellent wineries.  I think you'll love NZ it's an incredibly civilised place.  As an Addick you may want to visit the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

You what?! 

KiwiValley

Waiheke is a good day trip for sure. Not sure how posh you are but the Cordis in Auckland is pretty fancy. I’d agree that coming to the far side of the world and staying all  9 days in Auckland is probably a wasted opportunity . I’d pick a direction and head that way then back to Auckland. I’d suggest doing a loop of Taupo, Rotorua, Whakatāne (Ohope Beach), Tauranga and then back to Auckland. That loop would take in Lake views , native forest, geothermal anctivity Māori culture (Rotorua) and amazing beaches . Lots of touristy things throughout that loop. You’d need a hire car or campervan. That trip would blow you away . Nine days in Auckland would be dull in comparison .if you can’t be convinced to leave auckland. Then the  CBD is largely charmless . Make sure you visit within greater Auckland : devonport/Takapuna, wAiheke, Ponsonby Road, and perhaps mission bay 

CharltonKerry

Thanks Kiwivalley, unfortunately I can’t drive at present because of my foot problem (I can’t operates the breaks or accelerator at present and consultant think is concerned it might not be healed significantly by early January), and the wife never passed her test, so as far as I can see we are limited to day trips, certainly we intend to visit the vineyards, and the coastal area’s. The first day will be resting around the pool, whilst the second will almost certainly be an easy day as well, thinking of the hop on, hop off bus. Cordis being fancy don’t worry us.

Alwaysneil

My first thought on reading the thread title was that my recommendation would be to get out of Auckland,

It still is.

i have been to New Zealand 3 times, spent about 5 weeks there and about 2 days in Auckland and even that felt like a long time. So much else to see and while Auckland is the most populous city 
(Someone from Auckland pejoratively known as a JAFA (just another fucking aucklander)), it is not at all the nicest place in NZ which is a beautiful country.

CharltonKerry

Thanks all. Looks like I better make some alternative plans, thanks all, will start looking for alternatives on Monday.

KiwiValley

CharltonKerry said:

Thanks Kiwivalley, unfortunately I can’t drive at present because of my foot problem (I can’t operates the breaks or accelerator at present and consultant think is concerned it might not be healed significantly by early January), and the wife never passed her test, so as far as I can see we are limited to day trips, certainly we intend to visit the vineyards, and the coastal area’s. The first day will be resting around the pool, whilst the second will almost certainly be an easy day as well, thinking of the hop on, hop off bus. Cordis being fancy don’t worry us.

You might be able to track down some sort of quality mini coach service that at least gets you to Taupo and Rotorua and back. I’d be asking your travel agent to work harder for you and source some options for your circumstances to see a bit more. 

usetobunkin

Off to Auckland in April, tour starts in NZ, both North and South Island, then on to Australia, Melbourne and the Great South Road, Ayres Rock, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef finishing with the Sydney Harbour bridge climb. Back in time for the playoff final.

shirty5

Make sure your passport is valid 

DamoNorthStand

DamoNorthStand

Few pics from the South Island. You simply must spend the time to see it. 

LoOkOuT

Nice, but it’s no Peckham

ForeverAddickted

Urgh, as someone who hasnt been to New Zealand in just over a decade... loved every minute... and want to go back at least once more in my life time... I hate you Damo for sharing those beautiful shots!!

Blackheathen

Some great suggestions for you to think about Kerry.  It’s years since I’ve been in Auckland but our visits to the MOTAT museum and Kelly Tarlton Aquarium stand out.

Im with those who suggest you get out of Auckland after two or three days.  If it were me ( I’m not driving anymore either) I’d definitely follow up the Bay of Islands suggestion, then grab a coach to the East Coast where there are plenty of winery tours to choose from.  If you sample the wines of Hawkes Bay, then Marlborough and Central Otago down the South Island, I’m sure you will be impressed.

Back to Hawkes Bay.  We always stay in Havelock North, a stones throw from Napier and Hastings, and handy for wine tours, a nice village atmosphere.

After a couple of nights there perhaps a coach over to Taupo, views of the lake of course and Mt Ruapehu.  A night there and then off to Rotorua, about an hour in the coach and a bit of Māori immersion.  Then back to Auckland.

it sounds as if your South Island leg is arranged for you.  Hope you get the chance to boat down Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound.  The rugged West Coast has always been a favourite, a 4wheel drive down Farewell Spit, punakaiki blowhole etc.

Have a great time researching your visit.