Auckland Travel Forum

Hello,

I am arriving in Oakland the 10th of december (for a 6 weeks trip in NZ) and I am looking for an hostel / backpackers. I see in Lonely Planet an hostel called bamber house in Mt Eden .

Is Mt eden a good location to stay in Oakland ? Is it not too far from the city (I will be by foot)?

I need a place not too crowdy, but where I can meet some people to speak and why not do a bit of travel with them.

Thanks

JB

Mt Eden is not walking distance from the downtown Auckland. But is that necessary. You can get a bus there. Mt Eden is close to OneTreeHill and not too far from the Auckland Museum. Mt Eden would be a nice, not overcrowded place to stay, if you are prepared to catch buses to places. I'm sure the people at the backpackers will help you there. But if you want to be downtown and by the water then you should look elsewhere.
Try this list of maps:
http://images.google.co.nz/images?q=map+Auckland&hl=en&lr=&cr=countryNZ&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title

And make sure you don't end up in California, where Oakland is, instead of NZ, where Auckland is.
There was a case some years back of an American who was flying to Oakland and managed to get on an Auckland bound plane. Take care.
;-)

haha yes and I recall a young English honeymoon couple who ended in Oakland Calif when they were meant to be coming to New Zealand!!

:-) LOL. I see that Kiwis have very good sense of humor... I don't know why, but I tend to spell Auckland as Oakland. Hope that the Girl at the travel agency doesn't have the same problem when she booked my flight...

Otherwise what about Parnell neighborhood, is it somewhat closer than Mt Eden from city Centre? Is it safe walking by night in Auckland in theses neighborhoods ?

Parnell is closer to the CBD than Mt Eden and walkable but you can easily get a bus.It is on the link bus route. Both are very pleasant places to stay - older inner city suburbs with lots of trees, easy to get to, good cafes.

Hi planetree, welcome to VT! I think this person has been and gone already. He arrived 10 Dec for 6 weeks :-)
However all is good information for others to read. cheers, Pam :-)