There's a chance I might pull the trigger on a mileage run down there, and was wondering if anyone (DUB? World Travelers? Balla's who roll in Qantas First class?) had been down there and whether it's a 2-day trip or more. I'm pretty sure I can find my way down to Lord of the Rings Land (or whatever) as I've been a fan of the books for 30 years and want Peter Jackson's head on a pike, but regardless...anything besides the zoo and some beaches? Not quite bucket list material for me, but I've never been.
I spent a couple months there, although it was decades ago. Definitely worth the trip. Really nice people, beautiful country. Great hiking if you are into that. Lots of sheep if you are into that. barfo
You should take at least three days; the areas surrounding Auckland are beautiful but the highway system is slow, so going places takes about twice as long as you'd expect given the mileage. There's some cool hot springs parks and wildlife reserves, and you can make the trip to see Hobbiton, but it takes all day from Auckland. There's an amazing whisky bar in Auckland with something like 800 different whiskies you can buy by the 1/2 dram. Just walking around the city is fun too.
Wonderful place! Great memories of Auckland. That was the destination of my Shellback cruise. It was purely a show the flag cruise, the first US warship to do so since the end of WWII. Thousands of people came to the dock to welcome us to Auckland.
Great place NZ....my cousin lives in Auckland with my nephews.....if you're into it...great fishing there..really friendly locals!
I lived there for 3 years, and 3 days will barely get you over the jet lag or scatch the surface. Its a much bigger country and city than you are probably imagining. If you are just doing a milage run then I would still do it, but I would try to squeak out at least a week for the sights. The bay of islands and bay of plenty are just a few hours drive away. My secret beach spot of Piha is a cant miss either, although I doubt its still secrect after 20 years.
I had a 2 year affair with a person from Auckland when I lived in Portland, which may be the record for long distance relationship. We met at political conventions held in Oberlin, Ohio. File that under TMI?
You are the only person on the board who's never been to New Zealand and you live in Australia? Learn to swim!
reporting in for question & answer time! what kind of things are you into? if its scenery n looking at nice stuff, well, we have tons of that. yup we have hobbiton - and that area is linked to a lot of great and close desinations. Lake Taupo Rotorua the drive down the west coast to whanganui is reaaaaaaaaaaaally pretty other places to consider Nelson Queenstown Wanaka Milford Sound If you are going to be based in auckland, there are tons to do and most of it is super close. waiheke island - 35min ferry, wine tours, cool lil community. other harbour island adventures west coast beaches - murawai, bethells, piha going north a few hours takes you to the Bay of Islands, which is usually pretty popular with tourists, fishing is epic and absolutely beautiful location you can also do a mission from there, up to the northern tip of nz - cape reinga via 90 mile beach, which is like 68 miles actually, go kiwi! lmk if you have anything more specific youd like to know, @BrianFromWA or, anyone else for that matter.
