Akaroa and Auckland Questions

[issy999]

Our family is going on the Pearl in June, and the ship was due in Chch on 4 April, where we hoped to take the kids to see it. Due to the earthquake ships are going to Akaroa - so assuming they're gonna have to use tenders, will we be able to see it from within Akaroa, how far out does it dock?

 

Also, we'll be leaving/returning in Auckland - we'd love to go to Rainbow's End, but can't work out what to do with bags - any thoughts? Flight is leaving at 5.30 - are we even likely to have time?

 

TIA

[Sandielle]

Our family is going on the Pearl in June, and the ship was due in Chch on 4 April, where we hoped to take the kids to see it. Due to the earthquake ships are going to Akaroa - so assuming they're gonna have to use tenders, will we be able to see it from within Akaroa, how far out does it dock?

TIA

 

I can't answer the Auckland question. sorry.

 

We anchored at Akaroa in early March. I noticed there was a shuttle to Christchurch for $59 added at the last minute, but at that point I wouldn't have wanted to go there unless I had relatives or friends there. I don't know what the situation will be in June. But, yes, you can get there by a winding hilly road trip that takes over an hour I believe.

 

They could still run the Tranzalpine train tour by bus into the Ch'churdh rly station and train from there.

[Aus Traveller]

On your first question - I believe that Littleton is closed to cruiseships for the rest of the year so Akaroa is used as an alternative port. Akaroa is fairly close to Christchurch, but on the other side of a peninsula. You definitely will not see anything of Christchurch or Littleton. I noticed that a company in Akaroa was offering tours of Christchurch but they specified that they were 'excluding CBD'. Akaroa is a lovely little town to wander around. One shop that we liked is called Fire and Ice. They specialise in hand-made jewellery they make themselves using semi-precious stones and pearls. The designs and variety are amazing and prices were quite reasonable.

[issy999]

We actually live in Chch (and yup, we're all okay) but were thinking about making the drive over the hills to Akaroa in the hope of seeing the ship - just unsure what kind of view we would get from in Akaora as we don't know how far out it anchors.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

We actually live in Chch (and yup, we're all okay) but were thinking about making the drive over the hills to Akaroa in the hope of seeing the ship - just unsure what kind of view we would get from in Akaora as we don't know how far out it anchors.

 

re Akaroa..

If you check out this thread there are some captures from the bridge cam which may give an idea of how far the ship comes in at Akaroa.

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1348884&highlight=akaroa

[Sandielle]

Here you are. The ships anchor over the far side from the town as that is the deepest part of the harbour.

 

[issy999]

Thanks for that. Hopefully that will be enough of a view to satisfy the kids.

 

Anybody got ideas for Auckland?

[MINIMAD]

This is just a personal opinion, but I would not take our family to Rainbows End which is past its "sell by date".(Sorry Rainbow!!)

Not sure what part of NZ you are from. Places like Butterfly Creek out by the airport we think are worth a visit as well as the Zoo or museum.

[Hard-habit-to-break]

In terms of your luggage, found this online:

 

Favorite Thing: -

 

Often people want to store their luggage for the day only, between flights or between a flight and the departure of a cruise ship. This has become increasingly difficult since the age of terrorist threats.

 

In Auckland you can store your luggage at all i-sites (Visitor Information Centres).

 

Here is a list of the locations and operating hours:

 

Auckland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Atrium, SKYCITY Auckland, Corner Victoria and Federal Streets

Phone: +64 9 363 7182 or 0800 AUCKLAND

Open: Seven days, 8am to 8pm

 

New Zealand i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

137 Quay Street, Princes Wharf, Downtown Auckland

Phone: +64 9 307 0612 or 0800 AUCKLAND

Open: (Oct to Mar) Mon to Fri: 8.30am to 6pm. Sat to Sun: 9am to 5pm. (Apr to Sept) 9am to 5pm

 

Auckland International Airport

Arrivals Hall, Auckland International Airport

Phone: +64 9 275 6467 or 0800 AUCKLAND

Open: Seven days, 24 hours

 

Auckland Domestic Airport

Air New Zealand Terminal, Auckland Domestic Airport

Phone: +64 9 256 8480 or 0800 AUCKLAND

Open: Seven days, 6am to 10pm

 

Waiheke Island

Matiatia Wharf, Oceanview Road, Waiheke Island

Phone: +64 9 372 1234 or 0800 AUCKLAND

Open: Mon to Sun 9am to 5pm

[issy999]

Thanks for that, Minimad. Having been to Australia in the past I realise Rainbow it is not the best theme park in the world, but it is the only one we have in New Zealand (that I’m aware of). Kids have seen museums, aquariums, zoos etc. For a couple of 10 year olds Rainbow will be rather exciting.

Kirra, thanks for that useful information.

[oskarNZ]

Hi issy999.

With regards to having time to visit Rainbow's End, is your plan to visit the park on the same day you disembark the boat, or will you be spending a night in Auckland beforehand?

 

Fitting Rainbow's End inbetween getting off the ship and flying home could be a wee bit hectic. Particularly if you have to 'swing by' the airport first to drop off your luggage. However, if you can get off the ship early enough to get to Rainbow's End at opening time, you should still be able to get your money's worth. For a domestic flight, leaving at 5:30, I wouldn't leave Rainbow's End any later than 4.

 

It takes about half an hour to get to the airport from the city (port) and about 15 minutes to get to the airport from Rainbow's End. Although it always pays to allow a bit more time than this if you are travelling Mon- Fri between the

hours of 6:30 - 9am and 3:30 - 6:30pm.

 

If you are staying in Auckland for one night, have you considered a hotel near Rainbow's End. From memory there is one just across the road, although I don't know anything about how good it is. Manukau isn't known for being a tourist hot spot, however, for just one night this motel might suit you well. It's on a busy intersection which includes Rainbows End, the mall, movie theatres and heaps of casual restaurants. While you went to Rainbow's End, I'm pretty sure the hotel would store your bags for you?

 

Hope that helps.

If all else fails, I agree with the previous poster who said that Butterfly Creek next to the airport is worth a visit. :)

[oskarNZ]

Also, just a thought, are you hiring a car?

Hiring a car for the day from downtown Auckland and returning it to the airport, will presumably cost noticeably less than using taxis to tiki-tour around the city.

 

Also (and I know this isn't the most responsible advice I could give), you could leave your luggage hidden in the boot of the car while you're in Rainbow's End. I'd probably take my valuables (passports, jewellery etc) into the park with me, but in all reality, the chances of something being stolen is pretty slim.

[issy999]

So does anyone know a car rental place in Auckland that hires just for the day, and has depots clost to the port and at the airport? I can't seem to find anywhere online that seems cheap - especailly considering there are four of us, complete with luggage.

 

Suggestions?

[Aus Traveller]

So does anyone know a car rental place in Auckland that hires just for the day, and has depots clost to the port and at the airport? I can't seem to find anywhere online that seems cheap - especailly considering there are four of us, complete with luggage.

 

Suggestions?

We hired a van for one day from Pegasus. They have a wide range of vehicles in their fleet.

[issy999]

How did you get the vehicle? They seem to be located quite a long distance from the port.

[Aus Traveller]

How did you get the vehicle? They seem to be located quite a long distance from the port.

They met us in the parking lot at the port complex just outside the security gate (several hundred metres from the ship). We went there by shuttle bus from the ship.

[issy999]

Never mind, Pegasus have come back with an email stating they do a minimum of four days.

 

So - anyone know of any other company that will do a one day hire?