A week in Auckland - ideas for things to do please.

[i-need-a-martini]

Any suggestions?

We are flying to Auckland and then driving to Rotorua for a few days then back to Auckland.

Can anyone suggest:

• stop off points along the way we shouldn't miss?
• places to have breakfast and dinner in Auckland?
• things that would interest a 12 year old girl?
• quirky museums or galleries?
• good hotels we can stay at?

We aren't sporty/outdoorsy so not really interested in hiking/kayaking kind of things although we do like a good view.

[lionrose.7]

You could go for a trip out to White Island Volcano, think the boat leaves from Whakatane, think that may be a bit out of your way.

You could go to Hobbiton movie set In Matamata, it is inbetween Auckland and Rotorua.

I have met heaps of people from here, have been very lucky with the nice people I have met

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

Take the Ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island, that is a nice trip across the habour.

Stunning Yachts and eateries down that part of town.

You should stop off at Tauranga/Mount Maunganui on the way back from Rotorua, you may like to stop off in Papamoa and have coffee with me hahaha.

Mount Maunganui two and a half to three hours from Auckland

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wow I didnt realise you lived in Papamoa- thats a beautiful stretch of coastline.

Lucky you lionrose, Im so jealous.

Auckland City Art Gallery is very good, and the Auckland Museum..I would also catch the ferry to Devonport and the ferry to Waiheke Island..Maybe a day also wandering around Ponsonby and Parnell? And a visit up the Skytower?

Not real sure what a 12 year girl would like!

If I was travelling between Wellington and Auckland, I would also visit Napier- if you are interested in all things Deco- this city was rebuilt after an earthquake in the early 30s..I still remember the extraordinary architecture..

Hope you have a good time! 

[cherry*135]

Napier is out of the way when travelling from Wellington to Auckland (via Taupo most direct route) isn't it? Napier is a very nice place and the area around there.

There was an earthquake when we visited Napier a few years ago.. we were in a restaraunt at the time.. spooky given the history there.

[ambercat16]

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

You could go for a trip out to White Island Volcano, think the boat leaves from Whakatane, think that may be a bit out of your way.

You could go to Hobbiton movie set In Matamata, it is inbetween Auckland and Rotorua.

I have met heaps of people from here, have been very lucky with the nice people I have met

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White Island is pretty much a full day but Hobbiton is a great idea.

[lurker172602]

It's a shame you're not going north of Auckland. Northland is beautiful and full of history. Too many visitors just head straight South from Auckland without realising what they are missing.
Still, I do understand your time constraints. I wonder if ithere are day tours Auckland/Bay of Islands/Auckland you might consider? They would probably stop at Kawakawa to see the Hundertwasser toilets which I'm sure would interest you, if not the family 🙂

[lurker172602]

Something like this http://www.viator.com/tours/Auckland/Bay-of-Islands-Day-Tour-from-Auckland/d391-3910AKLHISBOI

(My mum used to live in Paihia and my sister has a bach at Russell so I'm a bit biased 🙂 )

[donnashuggy]

One of my favourite places to visit was Cambridge, so pretty but not sure how far to drive from Auckland

http://www.cambridge.co.nz/

[donnashuggy]

I have embarrassing memories of Kaitaia, we ordered a bottle of wine out for dinner one night and they gave us a flagon - we hid it under the tablecloth lol

[womblewa]

Hi, take the ferry to Devonport and have lunch there - 20 minute journey each way. 

The hot pools at Waiwera or Parakai, prefer Waiwera myself, much better to go there mid week, not so crowded. 

Orewa/Whangaparaoa peninsula, lots of parks, walks. 

Auckland museum/the domain. 

Ponsonby/Herne Bay, up market, trendy.

The black sand beaches in the West - Piha, Bethels, Karekare. 

The scenic drive through the Waitakere ranges. 

The scenic drive through East Coast Bays. 

The wineries in the western suburbs out the back of Henderson, via the Greenhithe bridge. 

If the above isnt enough, you could head south and drive or go via ferry to Thames Peninsula and visit the old goldmining town - quite unique. 

En route to Rotorua, via the Thames turnoff, via Whangamata, Tauranga then over the Kaimai ranges.  Personally I loathe Hamilton and its surrounds (sorry!! Waikato people). 

Rotorua -

the luge up Mt Ngongataha

white water rafting

Bungy if you are brave enough

Trout fishing

Orakei Korako/Tikatere/Whakarewarewa

have a look at Tudor Towers (lovely old building, used to be a health asylum used to treat arthritic conditions). 

Hope that is enough to keep you going.