Auckland - what to do?

DH and I have decided we can't afford to go to Aus for his 30th so it's Auckland instead.. his choice lol

Our flights are free - yay for airpoints!

We are trying to figure out how much $$ we need to save.

At least DH has been there a few times and doesn't really mind that much driving around as I refuse to and hate it with a passion lol (I'm too much of a country girl)

We will get acommodation on some website that you book at the last min and get rooms for waaay cheaper.

We are gonna go to the zoo, kelly tartons and that big book shop place that I can't remember the name of as we are all big on books in this house.

What else is there to do? (in September) Daniel will be coming with us too

Yeah I would miss Kelly Tarltons too .. I live in Auckland and have never been lol

The zoo is cool though .. we are taking Mum when she flies in from the UK as she has been watching the series on TV and wants to go and "meet all the keepers"

Its its school holiday time they can have some cool "kids" attractions on at the museum.

Ferry over to Waiheke or Tiritiri Matangi (sp)

Hmmm ... thats about all I can think of .. (I holiday outside Auckland so Im not too much use lol)

Edited by SuperDaddy

OMG Mel - I love spookers, I haven't been since it opened ...and back then I went nearly every weekend with dif friends. It was great fun!

I second butterfly creek, they have the cafe, the little train, the petting zoo, butterlfy house ....AND it's next to the international airport so you can see all the big planes too.

No one has mentioned Rainbows End? ....It's expensive and not all that great if you've been there too many times like myself.

Maritime Museum? ...

I'll get back to you Stacey if I think of any others....botanic gardens makes for a nice walk, sylvia park ...botany for shopping (oh and dressmart)

Western Springs park , by the Zoo is quite nice as well, if its a nice day , they have a park there too

Go for a walk along Tamaki Drive, stopping for ice cream or fish & chips in Mission Bay. There used to be a bike rental place down there, not sure if it still exists though.

The Zoo is amazing and definitely worth it, not so sold on Kelly Tarltons. Last time I went we were through in less than an hour which is very quick considering the cost.

Catch the ferry across to Devonport - take a torch and explore the tunnels up on North Head.

For shopping, Botany, Sylvia Park and Dressmart are all pretty good.

Butterfly Creek rocks!

hard to find books.... in onehunga and one in devonport too (well i think it is still there)

Definitely Butterfly creek- Ella loves it out there and you can take on the little Train ride.

There are a few of us June mums from Auckland so we should try and organise an outing

I'm trying to think of all the touristy stuff I did when I first arrived here...

Go up a few of the volcanoes - awesome views across the city

A day trip over to Waiheke or Rangitoto is fantastic too

I luuuurve going for walks on Tamaki Drive (Mmmmm Movenpick ice creams) and going for a drive up the hill to St Heliers to see the million dollar houses lol)

Waitakere Ranges have some nice drives and look out points. There's also a walk you can do that is buggy friendly, bah I forget the name of it - it's on scenic drives anyways (I think)

Just a thought if you wanted to splash out for your DHs birthday - Meccanos at Mechanics Bay (downtown, coming away from the CBD) is right next to the Westpac Helicopter base and you might see if take off    It's lovely food but very pricey

I think everyone's mentioned most of the things I would do.

I definitely second a trip to Waiheke on the ferry if the weather's nice (I love it over there).

The Auckland Botanical gardens are nice too. There's a good cafe at the entrance then you can stroll around through the gardens (make sure you take bread for the ducks).