Auckland Travel Forum

We're flying to Auckland next month. We're staying 3 nights at the Best Western President Hotel before our cruise.

We need to get from:
International Airport to hotel
Hotel -- Sky Tower
Hotel -- Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
Hotel -- Auckland's Dolphin & Whale Safari (Viaduct Harbour)
Hotel -- Shops
Hotel to Cruise terminal
Cruise terminal to International Airport

My mother is in a wheelchair so we can't use the bus. We'll probably use the Airport Express service to get to the hotel.

Approximately how much will a taxi cost for the other trips?

Is there anything interesting near the hotel? I'm hoping there are some cafes or take-out food within walking distance. Is Albert Park a nice spot for a picnic lunch?

Hi, your hotel is in the city centre. Auckland is quite a small city and you'll be walking distance from most spots. From your hotel to Sky Tower is probably no more than one or two blocks. The walk down to the Viaduct Harbour about 10 to 15 minutes. Kelly Tralton is worth a visit and you will need to take a taxi, no idea of the cost but taxis are not expensive in Auckland. Plenty of cafes around your hotel. When you go down to the Viaduct I'd suggest you also visit the maritime museum. A day trip to Waiheke Island also worth it, check on wheel chair friendly transport on the island but I am sure it is an option. Some nice vineyards on the island worth visiting. Taxi from the airport will be ca NZ$ 50, the airport schuttle is much cheaper and stops in front of the hotel.

As I mostly use the bus in Auckland I can only tell you the taxi fare for the ride to your hotel. It is about NZ$ 60 to 70.

The cruise terminal is near the hotel, same with Viaduct Harbour, so low cost, and the Sky Tower even closer. Kelly Tarlton is a trip along the coast - but not really far, I would think about $ 20.

As we have VT members in AKL they can surely have a closer look at if the buses are wheelchair friendly. Down here in Christchurch you can access buses by wheelchair and mobility scooter.

Albert Park is absolutely lovely for a picnic in nice weather conditions. However, you have to get the wheelchair up a hill from downtown AKL.

The only places you'll need to get a taxi to are Kelly Tarlton's and then back to the airport. Everything else is really such a short distance from your hotel as to not worry about, even taking your mother's mobility into account. Kakapo's prices for the taxis are pretty spot on - but I'm afraid that even as an Auckland VTer I can't comment on the buses either as I haven't been near one in 5 years! (Auckland's public transport system isn't too flash).

As mentioned already, Auckland is a compact little city in terms of the main city/downtown area. Lots in the way of cafes and take out places - in fact, get your taxi to drop you off on the way to/from Kelly Tarltons somewhere along Mission Bay or St Helliers, where there are some nice places as well as grassy areas along the beach, just great for a take out coffee and snack.

The cruise terminal is right next to the Viaduct - more cafe options there, as well as the Dolphin Safari and Maritime Museum. For cafes I recommend the Waterfront Cafe, very reasonably priced and a nice menu/atmosphere, whereas most of the other places overlooking the main waterfront are much more expensive.

Thank you everyone for your replies. They're very helpful.

We don't have much time in Auckland.

Sunday: Plane arrives at 3.30pm
Monday: Kelly Tarlton encounter(9am-?), ??
Tuesday: Sky Tower, Shopping, early Lunch at Waterfront Cafe, Dolphin Whale Safari (12-4pm)
Wednesday: We'll check our luggage in early at the cruise terminal and visit the Maritime Museum and surrounding shops. We don't board the ship until 12.30pm

Is it worth going to Waiheke Island for half a day? We could go there after the Kelly Tarlton encounter. What should we do when we get there?

What is the Sky Tower like after dark? Would it be safe to walk there from the hotel and view the city at night?

The best time to do the Sky Tower is to go up before dusk, enjoy the great views, and then watch the city light up (and there is a marvellous revolving restaurant up there too if you fancy it). It will be pretty much dark at around 5.30pm when you go, so the area will still be very busy and very safe, with lots of people around.

Waiheke Island - it takes a while to explore the best bits, but yes, worth heading over. As an alternative, consider heading over to Devonport - quick ferry ride, and easy to wander around before returning back to Auckland.

I think two hours for Kelly Tarlton's should be sufficient.

To get around on Waiheke Island you would also need a taxi to get around as the buses there are definitely not suitable for wheelchairs. Having said this, if you would check out beforehand perhaps you would find someone nice enough to help you get your mother into one of the island tour buses, so you could do a sightseeing tour with her. Another option would be wine-tasting.

Referring to the dolphin safari: I would surely not do this next month, as this is a long and chilly tour, and having tried it twice, I have never seen any dolphin there, not to speak of whales.

What about a visit to the Auckland Museum? It would only be a short cab ride from the city centre, it has disability access, toilets etc., you could learn a lot about NZ's history and culture, including a Maori cultural performance, and from there you could easily walk downhill to the CBD through lovely Parnell, and have a coffee or meal there.

The Sky Tower is fantastic after dark - great views over the city and harbour. I do not see major problems to walk there. On a nice day it is also fabulous to enjoy the views from the tower, so you get a good idea of Auckland and its rocky volcanic past.




What is the Sky Tower like after dark? Would it be safe to walk there from the hotel and view the city at night?

Excellent suggestion for the Museum.

I think the Dolphin encounter is as good an opportunity as any to see Auckland from the water (downtown Auckland looks MUCH better from the water than it does up close!). But I've spent a lot of time out on the water on friend's boats over the past 5 years - it's very hit and miss as to whether you get to see dolphins, the Waitemata is a very busy area of water, and my whale encounters have all been much further out. But, still, a nice boat trip if the weather is fine, and you can always wrap up.

Allison, I agree with that - but as Waiheke Island is also on the list I think they would get enough of the great AKL view from the water. And when the cruise ship leaves there is another opportunity to have a look back to the city, and it would probably be warmer and more comfortable than on the bumpy dolphin encounter boat from where you only see dolphins if you are very lucky ;-)

Very true!

We've booked and paid for the Dolphin cruise. It's something my mother wants to do.

Has anyone done the done the 'Drive the Loop' on Waiheke Island? It says you can do it in 4 to 8 hours. Does it take you to any look-outs or scenic locations?

I have once done a thing like driving the loop on a scooter. It takes you to some beautiful beaches and offers great views. On my last visit I had limited time and only did a bus tour, already there you could enjoy great vistas, and the comments were very entertaining.

If you want to do the self-drive tour please check out rental cars on this website:

http://www.waiheke.co.nz/tourist.htm

The rates are much, much lower with Waiheke Rental Cars than with the company mentioned on the Drive the Loop website.

I have a Waiheke tip and photos on my Auckland page, if you want to have a look.