Need some suggestions for tours in Auckland, NZ

[Animated-one]

G'day Mates,:D

My DH and I will be in Auckland on Thursday November 12, 2009 via the Dawn Princess from 8:00 am to 6:00pm. We would appreciate any suggestions on tours to do, or is this a good city to just walk around the wharfs??:confused: We look at the shore excursions with our ship but they all seem to be very costly $$$ :eek:, there has to be more reasonable and fun things to do without breaking the bank in this beautiful city?! Suggestions WELCOMED!!!:)

[moyaroo]

The Auckland War Museum strangely enough is really good, with a great section on Maori Culture. It is not what you might expect from the name.

[Fabian52]

To Animiitaed One:

Check our Kauri Tours in Auckland. Their website looks pretty good. We have booked them for a 5 hr. tour in Auckland. We leave at 9:00 and return around 2 -3 PM and then would still have time to walk around town a little and maybe go up in the Auckland Tower. Just a suggestion.

I sent them an e-mail last night and got a reply by this morning and you don't have to pay until the day of the tour. It's $125 NZ per person which I think breaks down to about $80 US p/p. You get to see the black beaches, on the other side of the penisula, rain forest and the hugh Kaiuri trees.

We also booked Indigenous Trails for Tauranga and D-Tours for Dunedin.

Christchurch and Wellington on our own and Napier probably going to book a wine tour once we get there. Bay of Islands taking the only ship tour there. :):):)

[Animated-one]

To Animiitaed One:

Check our Kauri Tours in Auckland. Their website looks pretty good. We have booked them for a 5 hr. tour in Auckland. We leave at 9:00 and return around 2 -3 PM and then would still have time to walk around town a little and maybe go up in the Auckland Tower. Just a suggestion.

I sent them an e-mail last night and got a reply by this morning and you don't have to pay until the day of the tour. It's $125 NZ per person which I think breaks down to about $80 US p/p. You get to see the black beaches, on the other side of the penisula, rain forest and the hugh Kaiuri trees.

We also booked Indigenous Trails for Tauranga and D-Tours for Dunedin.

Christchurch and Wellington on our own and Napier probably going to book a wine tour once we get there. Bay of Islands taking the only ship tour there. :):):)

 

G'day Fabian 52

Thanks for the suggestion for Auckland, sounds like a great tour:cool:

 

So far, this is what DH and I are doing in each port (subject to change if we find something better;)).

 

Sydney: Because we arrive 8 days before our cruise starts will be doing alot on our own, but we did book 2 tours for Blue Mountain & Hunters Valley with Sydney Wilderness Tours

On Our Own will be the following:

1. Manly Beach hike 2. Taronga Zoo 3. Royal Botanic Garden and Circular Quay. 4. The Bridge climb 5. Watson Bays to South Head Walk, maybe lunch on the wharf, fish and chips? 6. Chinese Garden (Maybe stay for dinner??)

 

Dunedin- Larnach Castle tour and full sightseeing tour with Otago Explorer $80.00 NZD per person 4 1/2 hours (note: this kinda like a hop on hop off bus tour)

 

Christchurch- Jetboat Thrill & horse trekking safari with Princess $129.00 AUD per person 4.5 hour

 

Wellington- On our own Cablecar and botanic gardens walking down and back to the wharf.

 

Napier- Wine tour in Hawkes Bay visting 4 top vineyards with Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours at $75.00 per person NZD 4.5 hours

 

Tauranga- On our own- Climbing Mount Maunganui, locally known as "The Mount" most of the time, this is where cruise ship berth. You will actually circle "The Mount" to enter the port. If we do not go to this port than will just take a taxis to get there. We got this idea from "David" on the Australia & New Zealand forums:cool:

 

Auckland- ????

 

Bay of Islands- Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Fullers Great Sights Bay of Islands at $86.00 NZD per person 4 hours (Note: you get a 10% discount if you book on line).

[Fabian52]

G'day Fabian 52

Thanks for the suggestion for Auckland, sounds like a great tour:cool:

 

So far, this is what DH and I are doing in each port (subject to change if we find something better;)).

 

Sydney: Because we arrive 8 days before our cruise starts will be doing alot on our own, but we did book 2 tours for Blue Mountain & Hunters Valley with Sydney Wilderness Tours

On Our Own will be the following:

1. Manly Beach hike 2. Taronga Zoo 3. Royal Botanic Garden and Circular Quay. 4. The Bridge climb 5. Watson Bays to South Head Walk, maybe lunch on the wharf, fish and chips? 6. Chinese Garden (Maybe stay for dinner??)

 

Dunedin- Larnach Castle tour and full sightseeing tour with Otago Explorer $80.00 NZD per person 4 1/2 hours (note: this kinda like a hop on hop off bus tour)

 

Christchurch- Jetboat Thrill & horse trekking safari with Princess $129.00 AUD per person 4.5 hour

 

Wellington- On our own Cablecar and botanic gardens walking down and back to the wharf.

 

Napier- Wine tour in Hawkes Bay visting 4 top vineyards with Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours at $75.00 per person NZD 4.5 hours

 

Tauranga- On our own- Climbing Mount Maunganui, locally known as "The Mount" most of the time, this is where cruise ship berth. You will actually circle "The Mount" to enter the port. If we do not go to this port than will just take a taxis to get there. We got this idea from "David" on the Australia & New Zealand forums:cool:

 

Auckland- ????

 

Bay of Islands- Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Fullers Great Sights Bay of Islands at $86.00 NZD per person 4 hours (Note: you get a 10% discount if you book on line).

 

To Animated One: When you booked the Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours did you have to put down a deposit. Can you pay when you get there and do you know what their cancellation policy is. I sent the an e-mail yesterday and haven't heard anything from them. I was interested in the Scenic Tour and don't know if that includes any winery's or not.:confused::confused::confused:

[Kiwi Kruzer]

A few suggestions for Auckland.

 

Hop on Hop off bus leaves from the end of the wharf.

Devonport. 12 minute ride over the harbour to a delightful part of Auckland. Look for the bus/tour van at the end of the wharf and take a ride up Mt Victoria for one of the best views around.

Viaduct area. Just at the end of where you dock. Great for a to wander around .Maritime Museum is also there,but can be time consuming.

Sky Tower, wander up the hill and visit the Tower and Casino, then back down Queen Street.

[Animated-one]

To Animated One: When you booked the Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours did you have to put down a deposit. Can you pay when you get there and do you know what their cancellation policy is. I sent the an e-mail yesterday and haven't heard anything from them. I was interested in the Scenic Tour and don't know if that includes any winery's or not.:confused::confused::confused:

 

Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours will ask you for your credit card info. but they do not charge you until the day of tour, which you will be paying in cash. Also, if I remember correctly, it's full refund if you do cancel!

 

"John" has done his homework on wine tour we will be visiting the following vineyards: Mission Estate, Church Road Winery, Trinity Hill and Matariki Wines. BTW, he will picking you up right NEXT to your ship or port side!:cool: Luv that!!!

[Animated-one]

A few suggestions for Auckland.

 

Hop on Hop off bus leaves from the end of the wharf.

Devonport. 12 minute ride over the harbour to a delightful part of Auckland. Look for the bus/tour van at the end of the wharf and take a ride up Mt Victoria for one of the best views around.

Viaduct area. Just at the end of where you dock. Great for a to wander around .Maritime Museum is also there,but can be time consuming.

Sky Tower, wander up the hill and visit the Tower and Casino, then back down Queen Street.

 

Thanks David, these are GREAT suggestions! BTW, you were the one I was quoting for our port of call in Tauranga! I kept your pic of "The Mount" and your post/reply for this port in my files...PRICELESS:cool:

[Fabian52]

We heard back from another tour company in Napier so we are going with them. We are going with Bay Scenic Tours in Napier.

4 hr. tour for $55.00 p/p NZ. We have to catch the shuttle into the city but that is fine. We pay cash when we get there. I like that the best.

We are only booking one ship's tour and that is in Bay of Islands so we are saving alot of money. :):):)