101 reasons why I'm confused by Auckland

[Duncan74]

So as not to fill up the other thread, then I've split this off. After a post a few weeks ago when I was in Auckland, and not really enjoying it I was told that it was because I was there on a weekday, and needed to spend some time there to get to know it. So I have booked a weekend there. SO when I look at the 101 things to do, in Auckland, then I then get told that I need to leave Auckland (city) to see any of them. I'm a bit confused. I used to live in Woking and 5 best things bout woking were that it was 25 minutes from London, 15 minutes from Guildford, an hour from Portsmouth, half an hour from the north downs and there was a cycle path to Brighton. Th epoint being it was a crappy place and so the best thing about it was that you could escape. I'm now hearing that the list for Auckland is simmilar. So whilst I'm a bumpkin that doesn't like people, then I love Edinburgh, in London the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tate modern and most of all National Portrait Gallery would be things I'd recommend to a visitor. Equally in New York then a run around Central Park, the Gugenheim, breakfast at one of the many cafes near the park, etc. But despite asking for those sort of things then I'm getting the feeling that Aukland City doesn't have that to offer. So is the centre just hotels and offices, and it's a city without a heart?

Seriously, help me out here. I don't want to spend the weekend travelling, at least not by anything other than by foot (althoguh I'm happy to walk a fair way).

And this isn't a pop at Auckland, or a wind up. I've heard all about the 'culture' that's missing in NZ outside of Akl, Wellington and ChCh, so point me in the direction of the best way to spend a relaxing semi cultured couple of days in the Supercity.

[alan999]

Think the thread refers to Auckland "the area" whereas you are thinking Auckland "the city". I've long made the point when thinking about bidding on trademe for an item in Auckland its where I think it is and not 70kms further north.

[Daniel]

Interesting post, Duncan. I will wait with expectation the opinions and points of view...

[akp713b]

When people talk about how great Auckland is, they are usually talking about the way it isn't all city and skyscrapers. Auckland covers a huge amount of area, you can drive for almost an hour on the Motorway and still be in Auckland.

Whenever I'm traveling around NZ meeting foreign tourists in hostels they ask me where I'm from and I tell them Auckland. Immediately, every time, they frown and tell me they hated the place. And every time it turns out their only experience of it was staying a couple days in the CBD with no car to see the city in.

If you go to Auckland looking for what you'd seek in an international big city like London or New York, yes you will be very disappointed. Auckland CBD is just a place with businesses and hotels and very little culture. There's no theatre district, no big malls, no museums. Most of the population are Asian immigrants and the rest are backpackers staying in the many hostels. Aside from the Sky Tower and casino there is nothing I would take a visiting tourist to see there. (By the way I lived in the CBD for nearly 6 months so I know it all too well)

If you want culture stay in Ponsonby, only minutes outside the CBD. That's where the so-called Macchiato Mile is. Ponsonby Rd is lined with cafes and has an interesting culture. Newmarket, also just minutes from CBD is the high-class shopping district, NZ's equivalent of Rodeo Drive. The Domain and the Auckland Museum are there too. A few minutes further out is Mt. Eden Village, a quaint crossroads with plenty of cafes and culture.

Honestly though, you'll likely be disappointed by these places too if you're comparing them to London or even Wellington. Auckland is a city of suburbs and sprawl renowned for its beaches and parks, the rural tranquility that is so close by, just a short ferry ride or drive away. If you want urban culture go to Wellington.

To be perfectly honest I think Auckland is a great place to live, but maybe not a great place to visit as a tourist. Unless you know the places to go in advance and have the transport to get to them on you're in trouble due to the poor public transport.

[cani]

Go to your local i-site, they'll give you all the info you need.


Kristina

[Ana&Steve]

On our 1st visit we went to Victoria Park Market, then to Ponsonby, then over to Devonshire on the ferry. The Sky tower was visible in many of our pics. This was a good amount of Auckland IMHO.
BTW, do you have a FB acct? My NZ pics are on there and you could see if there was anything else you'd like a closer look at

[Duncan74]

@akp713b Thanks, veryninteresting post. I will have my car, but just found driving round Akl a pain and prefer to go exploring on foot. Perhaps I need to rethink that. And also to rethink where we're staying.

I'm not wanting to be dismissive, and I know that it's not going to be NYC, but I was hoping for Edinburgh if you see my meaning. Similar population, was hoping for a similar level of coffee places, things to see and I'll admit shops perhaps.

[Wooly_Cow]

Auckland covers a huge amount of area, you can drive for almost an hour on the Motorway and still be in Auckland.

.

....so given the Auckland traffic....that'll be about 3 miles then

[Duncan74]

....so given the Auckland traffic....that'll be about 3 miles then

Or 3 foot this weekend.

[Kea]

Don't expect Auckland to be like Edinburgh. That's like going to London and being annoyed you can't walk everywhere. I've lived in both cities and love them equally but they are very different and you need to approach them in different ways.

If I had a weekend here, staying in the CBD, I wouldn't try to pack in a million 'sights' etc but chill out and just take it easy. I'd spend half a day taking the ferry to Devo for lunch and wander up Queen street shopping. You could also use the link bus to see the Museum at the Domain, Parnell, Newmarket and Ponsonby. It does a circuit and runs every ten minutes. You are unlikely to ever be more than 300 meters from a coffee and I've rarely waited very long.