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Auckland, New Zealand in three days

Ask this member a question. TravelJunkie622 Traveling alone on a budget
2 Oct 2007
4.5 of 5 stars based on 4 votes
I was traveling to Sydney via Air New Zealand in early Aug '07 and the ticket offered a free stop in Auckland, New Zealand. Without much planning, I spent 3 wonderful days in Auckland experiencing the best of the city and nature.
1. Verandahs Backpackers Lodge / Ponsonby
http://www.verandahs.co.nz/welcome.php
A great mid-size hostel in the Ponsonby neighborhood of Auckland. Campbell is very helpful with advice. The hostel rooms and bathrooms are clean and in walking distance to the buses and the great cafes and restaurants in Ponsonby. The walls are a little thin but people are pretty quiet after 10pm. You can go to the lounge to read, play music/board games, and use the internet (for a small fee). The Ponsonby area has a lot more character than the downtown area of Auckland which is like any metropolitan city. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to the city from this hostel and it's also about a 10 minute walk to the "red-light district" but I found the area harmless during the day - just lots of good ethnic food restaurants.
2. Santos Cafe
Delicious coffee and breakfasts at this cafe on Ponsonby Road in Ponsonby. Trust me - the coffee is really, really good here.
3. Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island, North Island
This island is beautiful and quiet. The water is clean and sparkles like blue diamonds. You can easily catch a ferry from downtown Auckland and you can either walk the island or take a local tour that takes you around the island. The ferry from Auckland gives you a great view of downtown. I also had the best fish sandwich at a random deli on the island. The fish and chips are soooooo good in New Zealand and Australia.
4. S.P.Q.R.
http://www.ponsonbyroad.co.nz/websites/spqr/
This is a popular Italian restaurant in Ponsonby. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and it's obvious the locals love it. I had a simple but fantastic dinner (lamb loin with fresh organic veggies) there on my first night in Auckland.
5. Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves, North Island
Drive to or join a tour that'll take you to this cave to see the amazing glowworms. A guide at the caves will take you through the limestone formations and then you board a ferry to see the glowworms in complete darkness. What amazing creatures!
6. Waitakere Ranges
Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, North Island
Only 30 minutes drive from Auckland city center, this park is worth visiting for a hike through the beautiful trees and waterfalls and a great view of the water and city. Even though it's close to the city, you won't really find a crowd there. I only passed three other people in my two hour hike.
7. Karekare Beach
http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/auckland-regional-parks/western-parks/piha...
You have to come here if you've never seen a sparkling black sand beach. The movie THE PIANO was shot there. The day I went I had the beach all to myself and saw two purple jellyfish on the beach. There was a light morning mist and a giant black rock on the beach. It was serene and quiet except for the crashing waves - I felt like I was in paradise.
8. Dine by Peter Gordon
http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/skycity/index.cfm?6ED94F16-C09F-429E...
I splurged on my last night in Auckland and had the degustation menu at Dine. The service was attentive but the food was so-so. The dishes didn't really wow me in the creative and flavors area. I should have gone back to SPQR or tried the French Cafe in Parnell.
9. Parnell
Parnell, Auckland, North Island
A nice neighborhood located a few minutes from Auckland center. It's highlight is the Victorian architecture and a lot of good cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops.
10. Dizengoff
http://www.viewauckland.co.nz/info_restaurant_14709.html
Another local favorite in Ponsonby for breakfast. I went twice for breakfast and the place was always bustling. Service, food, and coffee are all great and portions are very generous. I've never had fluffier eggs!
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Waiheke Island, Waitomo Caves, Auckland