DAY TRIPS FROM AUCKLAND

[blebleu]

Hi.  I have booked a cruise Auckland to Sydney, March 2022.  I don't think cruise lines will be up and running in 2021 unfortunately.  I will be flying into Auckland several days pre cruise.  I am planning on renting a car and would love some suggestions for day trips.  Thank you!

Brenda

[lucymorgan]

There is a hop-on hop-off bus that goes to lots of the areas in Auckland.  I love the domain and the wintergarden.  The wintergarden is free https://www.gardens.org.nz/auckland-gardens/auckland-domain-wintergardens/ and there is a good museum nearby https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/  both accessible from the bus.

 

Also cruise ships usually dock near the ferry terminal which can take you to Devenport http://www.visitdevonport.co.nz/this-is-all-about-devonport and Waiheke Island https://www.newzealand.com/int/waiheke-island/ which also has a hop-on hop-off bus.  I have used https://www.fullers.co.nz/ quite a few times.  They also do very reasonable harbour cruises.

 

Personally I would not bother about hiring a car unless you want to go further afield for example to visit Hobbiton (especially since you will be driving on the opposite side of the road 🙂 ) 

 

I am not a kiwi.  I am an Aussie that has visited a number of times so may be corrected by the kiwis 🙃

Edited August 1, 2020 by lucymorgan

[blebleu]

Thank you so much for the great info!  And you are right!  I probably shouldn't hire a car.  I would panic at driving on the opposite side of the road.  Thanks again!

[lucymorgan]

Also taxis in Auckland are quite expensive.  If you don’t mind catching a bus, the skybus is a much more reasonably priced option to get from the airport to your hotel https://www.skybus.co.nz

Edited August 12, 2020 by lucymorgan

[OzKiwiJJ]

Uber is quite cheap in Auckland, less than half that of a taxi.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Google day trips from Auckland. There are quite a few good ones.

[casofilia]

Hire a car!!!   Rotorua; Hobbiton (Matamata); Waitomo; Bay of Islands etc etc.   If I can drive in Canada (and I do) you can drive in NZ!!!   (Not the day of your arrival though; have a good night's rest first)

 

Better don't use Auckland as a base, travel round and stay in a hotel or motel.

[Markanddonna]

I"m not a Hobbit fan, but I absolutely loved Hobbiton. I've traveled extensively and this was like being in a fairytale.