Auckland at Night

[LindaMc]

Hi everyone,

Our ship will be staying overnight in Auckland on our cruise in Nov. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions of things to do in Auckland during the evening. We plan on having dinner on the ship (have to save money that way since we are spending a lot as it is already), so we don't need a place to eat. And we don't really drink much at all, so I'm curious what suggestions you may have for what we should do in the evening....any tourist things open later at night, or even cool pubs we could go to for a soda and a fun atmosphere?

Thanks much!

Linda Mc

[rkacruiser]

I suggest that you go to the Sky Tower for awhile in the evening. Try to get there before sunset and stay to watch the city light up. Magnificent sight! There is a very nice lounge where you could enjoy a fine glass of New Zealand wine as well as the Observation Deck.

[LindaMc]

Thank you! That sounds good.

[Keith1010]

Right near the cruise ship terminal are various places to enjoy a nice drink either inside or outside. Outside would be preferable.

It is such a beautiful city both day and night.

Enjoy!

Keith

[roscoe39]

Originally Posted by LindaMc

Hi everyone,

Our ship will be staying overnight in Auckland on our cruise in Nov. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions of things to do in Auckland during the evening. We plan on having dinner on the ship (have to save money that way since we are spending a lot as it is already), so we don't need a place to eat. And we don't really drink much at all, so I'm curious what suggestions you may have for what we should do in the evening....any tourist things open later at night, or even cool pubs we could go to for a soda and a fun atmosphere?

Thanks much!

Linda Mc

a walk around the viaduct area looking at the boats and over the walkway to the new wynyard quarter with its restaurants and park is nice. You could also, if money is a consideration, walk from the ships berth in the afternoon up through victoria park to Ponsonby and along it through the bars cafes and shops along the ridge . great walk...will make dinner on the ship less fattening...you could have that extra desert.

[LindaMc]

Thank you! Those are great suggestions. I can't wait to see Auckland. And yes, a nice walk will make me feel not so guilty about eating the desserts!

[MargoK]

Take the ferry across to Devonport and get a wonderful city at night view

[LindaMc]

We plan to go to Devonport during the day, but I had not even thought about going there in the evening. That's another nice option. Thanks!

-Linda

[Te Aroha]

Link for you to check out the Sky Tower.

http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Att.../Skytower.html

[roscoe39]

Originally Posted by LindaMc

We plan to go to Devonport during the day, but I had not even thought about going there in the evening. That's another nice option. Thanks!

-Linda

linda, just thinking...devonport is a great day choice, the ferry leaves from the terminal just beside where the ship will berth. great victorian suur, lots of good cafes and bakeries, (one that is making me dribble just by thinking of it) and also if you want a good walk, mount victoria in the middle of the suburb will afford some great views of the city. Its not as bad a walk up as it looks and well worth it to look back over the city and your ship

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Just adding to Devonport.
The wharf is a fairly long one, but when you reach the main street there is usually a tour bus , or shuttle up to Mt Victoria , on offer. They operate during the summer season. The trip up Mt Victoria is "essential" Auckland viewing.It gives great views back to the city and then down the other way , over the Hauraki Gulf.

[LindaMc]

Thanks for the scoop! And the link to the Sky Tower too. The views from there look awesome. And yes, Devonport is definitely on the itinerary, including Mt. Victoria. We are hikers, so we'd probably enjoy the hike up to the top, but it is also good to have additional info regarding the shuttle in case the weather isn't all that great the day we are there.

[chamima]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kruzer

Just adding to Devonport.
The wharf is a fairly long one, but when you reach the main street there is usually a tour bus , or shuttle up to Mt Victoria , on offer. They operate during the summer season. The trip up Mt Victoria is "essential" Auckland viewing.It gives great views back to the city and then down the other way , over the Hauraki Gulf.

David
We are in Auckland for 2 1/2 days pre cruise. One of those days we're doing a wine tour of Waiheke Island. Would Devonport be a good destination the other day or is it too similar to Waiheke?
We also thought about renting a car and going west to the Waiteke area and the black sand beaches. Is that doable on our own? The tours seem very expensive ($200/pp)

[TLCOhio]

Lots of good suggestions on this thread for Auckland. Appreciate the help and great ideas. Looking forward to our Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, doing 14 days on this nice ship, finishing in Auckland. Plus, doing some pre-cruise options for Kangaroo Island near Adelaide and then the Great Barrier Reef before departing from Sidney’s scenic harbor. And, probably post-cruise in Queenstown and stopping in Tahiti on the way home to break up that long, long flight back.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 101,173 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:
http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/s....php?t=1426474

[roscoe39]

Originally Posted by chamima

David
We are in Auckland for 2 1/2 days pre cruise. One of those days we're doing a wine tour of Waiheke Island. Would Devonport be a good destination the other day or is it too similar to Waiheke?
We also thought about renting a car and going west to the Waiteke area and the black sand beaches. Is that doable on our own? The tours seem very expensive ($200/pp)

Hi..,
Devonport is a good destination, quite different to Waiheke as it is very victorian styled suburb. Waiheke is more like modern nz beach style with plenty of vineyards thrown in for good measure. the waitakeres are also a good day trip, prob an hours drive through the city and out to the beach. the scenery is very rough and wild with great surfeaches and the drive out there is great. Very doable. Easy to navigate and there are quite a few rental car agencies close to the port. They should all have cars with an optional nav guide to get you there and back.