Extra time in Melbourne and Auckland

HuntNfun

My husband and I are arriving early in Melbourne and will have four nights there before the tour starts on Nov. 3. Jan, ApAnd others who live in Australia, as well as those who have been on this tour, what are things we should not miss in Melbourne in this length of time? I have read some of the posts but want to make sure I see as many of the "must see's" as possible. I know about Phillips Island and the Great Ocean Road. What company should we go with for these two trips?

We will have 2 extra days in Auckland. What recommendations do you have for those days?

Thanks so much.

jdurkin

Hi HuntNfun,

In the recent past I've sought the recommendations of various Melbourne concierges. They have recommended the Gray Line for both Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road tours. I'm sure past US travellers to Melbourne will reply with their own opinions.

Close to the hotel, within only short walking distances, are a variety of museums and art galleries. Over the Yarra river from your hotel in the Immigration Museum. Behind the hotel on St Kilda Road is the National Gallery of Victoria, International Collection. While the collection does not match the size the National Galleries in either London or Washington, D.C., the Melbourne collection is particularly strong in the quality of the Dutch Golden Age collection & Post-Raphelite art. The Australian collection is housed in the NGV's Federation Square campus, just up the road on the other side of the river. Opposite the NGV's main building are the Princess Alexandra Gardens, which can lead on towards the Royal Botanic Gardens.

If you are interested in neo-gothic, neo-mannerist or just plain old renaissance revival architecture you will see all to it on the streets of the CBD. All you have to do is open your eyes and look around you. Then there's the occasional art deco and post modernist example … all amongst the towers of glass and cement. Think San Francisco … except our version of Haight Ashbury, Brunswick Street, runs for miles rather than just one intersection.

If you are interested in zoos, we have a great selection of campuses. A tram ride from the hotel will take you to the Melbourne Zoo. You can also take day trips to the Werribee Open Range Zoo & the Healesville Sanctuary. This collection specialises in native fauna and is conveniently situated very close to one of Australia's best wine regions in the Yarra Valley.

You are arriving in Melbourne in one of the busiest weeks … Melbourne Cup Week. If you know anyone from Louisville, or even just Kentucky, they will know all about the race that stops a nation. One look around the foyer of your hotel will tell you how special this week really is. You will be forgiven for thinking you have stumbled into Milan Fashion Week.

Then there's our food. How about a walking tour of our chocolate district? Our excellent wine, and beer … so they tell me. And of course, the coffee that sent that Seattle company packing. (For those who think i'm just having a go at your favourite beverage, don't take my word for it. There is plenty of information on the web.)

That's all pretty general. If you have particular interests I'm happy to ferret out ay particulars.

Cheers,

Jan

PS I forgot to answer you Auckland question. Will do …. but I have run out of time just now. Will post again later.

HuntNfun

Thanks, Jan, for all the Melbourne suggestions. Would love to hear your suggestions for what to do in Auckland. We are planning to extend our trip for 3 days after the tour ends.

Edd and Ruby

jdurkin

Hi Ed & Ruby,

I hadn't forgotten … not really … but jet lag got in the way. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I swear it takes me a week to feel human again, but that's another story.

Auckland is a beautiful city, nestled right on the very edge Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. The city is located on a fairly narrow spit of land between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper. One of the very nicest things to do is to take a harbour cruise. Your trip includes a trip over to Waiheke Island, which from Auckland looks like a perfect Bali Ha'i, as per South Pacific. Don't worry too much, it's dormant! You can take a hike right up to the crater. It's a while since I did that (and it took me a while to make it up the last of the steps and boardwalks, but it was worth all the huffing and puffing … on my part, I must add! A regular city ferry trip can also take you over to Devonport, which apart from being a really lovely harbour side suburb (think Sausalito only more suburban) is also a busy naval port. The suburb has it'a own extinct volcanic cones. You can take a local tour via mini bus. Very interesting. You could just take a taxi, but it's nice when someone tells you what you're really looking at!

Another great thing to see in Auckland is the Auckland Museum. It's set up on one of the city's many extinct volcanic cones, giving a wonderful view of the whole area. There is a great display of the flora and fauna of Auckland and also a really good Maori & Pacific Island cultural display. Excellent. The Museum is located adjacent to the the city's War Memorial. The New Zealand Maritime Museum is located down by Viaduct Basin is really worth a visit. Viaduct Basin is the part of the harbour where the America's Cup challenges have been developed. (Think Newport, RI., only not so stuffy!)

If you are interested in wine, there are some excellent, world class wine grown and produced very close to Auckland. There are some good wine tour operators and one I particularly recommend. Let me know if you are interested.

If you have time … I would also recommend you take a side trip up to the Bay of Islands. At least google the area and make plans for you next visit to New Zealand! Truly one of the most spectacular areas in the whole of NZ. I'm really surprised Tauck don't include it … but given the time constraints of designing such a short tour to NZ, something has to give, I guess.

That should be enough to be going on with for a while!

Cheers,

Jan

sherry_schare

HuntNfun wrote:

My husband and I are arriving early in Melbourne and will have four nights there before the tour starts on Nov. 3. Jan, ApAnd others who live in Australia, as well as those who have been on this tour, what are things we should not miss in Melbourne in this length of time? I have read some of the posts but want to make sure I see as many of the "must see's" as possible. I know about Phillips Island and the Great Ocean Road. What company should we go with for these two trips?

We will have 2 extra days in Auckland. What recommendations do you have for those days?


We did the Spotlight on Australia tour last April and took GreyLine Tours to Philip Island to see the penguins. The concierge at the Langham recommended it and booked it and didn't ask for payment until we arrived at the hotel 2 days before the tourl. We opted for the VIP tour which was a group of 10 that got to stay inside where is was warm and were giving binoculars for viewing. (we were there for the start of the winter season) for the penquin viewing. Our small group also got the privilege of a private docent lecture along with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before the viewing. (6:30 PM at that time of year) The bus out to the penguins included others on different "penguin" packages and stopped for lunch at our own expense at a historical farm/museum/sheep shearing and a stop at a koala preserve (close viewing and photos, but no touching). Pickup for us was at 1PM (changes according to penguin parade) near the visitor's center close to your hotel and drop-off was at the hotel.

The tour was long, expensive but well worth it. Others in our group spent the next day on the Grey Line tour of the Great Ocen Road and loved that also. Have fun. Sherry

British

Thank you Jan, my tour to NZ is booked, arriving two days early and one day after tour, that's all the time we could manage. Friends who have visited when their son lived there gave us some tips too. Kind regards, British

jdurkin

No worries, British.

Cheers,

Jan

HuntNfun

Jan, you mentioned, "If you have time … I would also recommend you take a side trip up to the Bay of Islands."

What is the best way to get to the Bay of Islands from Auckland, how do you get around there, and what should you try to see and do? Is it worth it to try a day trip there?
Thanks.

jdurkin

Bay of Islands

If you only had one day … you would be cutting it more than finely. This is the site for the local tourist board:

http://www.bayofislands.co.nz

You can get there via bus, which leaves Auckland (from memory) at 8:00 and arrives in Paihia at around 12:30. The return journey leaves around 1:00. So that's not really a same day option. You can fly from Auckland to Kerikeri in approximately 45 minutes. The main thing … apart from many other "on foot" explorations … is to take a cruise from Paihia around the Bay. It is one of the most stunning things you will see in your entire New Zealand trip.

A day trip … if you fly in and out on the first/last flight you could do it. It would be a long day. If you can manage it, I'd suggest an overnighter.

Cheers,

Jan

http://www.airnewzealand.com.au
http://www.selectnz.co.nz/customised-experiences/private-guided-tours/bay-of-islands/?gclid=CM3F8u_Ah8ECFdclvQodz2QAbg
http://www.newzealand.com/au/bay-of-islands/

HuntNfun

Jan, we are trying to fit a one-night stay at Paihia on the Bay of Islands into our plans. How easy would it be to get a bus from the Langham in Auckland to Paihia? Or should we try to rent a car? Where do you recommend we stay? You recommended taking a cruise from Paihia around the bay. Which company should we consider for this? Any other suggestions for things to do there? Thanks for all your advice and expertise.

British

I just looked very quickly at the last link Jan gave you, did you look, it talks about a 3 hour drive or a 45 minute flight. Can you do some research yourself, I think Jan has been so helpful already,there's plenty of other info on that website alone

HuntNfun

British, I thought this forum was for friendly interactions and discussions between those who wished to share information--not for curt and unfriendly responses like you just gave me. I did not ask anything of you; instead, I directed my question(s) to Jan, who has always been so kind, courteous, and willing to share her knowledge with all of us.

HuntNfun

[ ..... Jan, who has always been so kind, courteous, and willing to share her knowledge with all of us. ]

Sorry, Jan, If "her"should have been "his" in my previous post.


I do appreciate your willingness to give me advice. This is definitely a "trip of a lifetime", and I want to make the best choices.

jdurkin

Hi Ed and Ruby,

It was a few years ago now, but when I visited Paihia I stayed at the Copthorn, which is actually situated adjacent to the Waintangi Treaty grounds. http://www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/copthornebayofislands/ It is a delightful location and only a stroll away from the historic buildings associated with the formation of New Zealand as we know it. I remember that the hotel ran a transfer service into the Paihia township and back. It's quite walkable, but if your feet are acting up, it's nice to know!

I took the 8:00 am (I think) bus from Auckland. http://www.intercity.co.nz
I know the Langham well. I last stayed there in March. It is an easy taxi ride from the Langham to the Intercity bus terminal.
Alternatively, you could fly to Kerikeri and take a taxi from there to Paihia.
I took a cruise of the Bay. I'm fairly sure it was operated by Fullers … they are the biggest on-water ferry/cruise operator in NZ. I think this is the one I took. It's a half day trip. That would leave you some time to see some other things on foot.
http://www.dolphincruises.co.nz/bay-of-islands-cruises/hole-in-the-rock/

As for driving yourselves … well, I know that I choose not to drive in the States because you do it on the wrong side of the road … for me. Similarly, for you in NZ, it would be on the wrong side of the road for you. You might be more experienced than me. It is a double lane road (1 lane each way) most of the way. And it's a windy road. We're not talking Interstates or freeways. The closer you are to central Auckland, of course, the more big roads you will see! Northland, as this area of the North Island of NZ is called, is special because it is small. It's like a special sub-tropical jewel in NZ's stunning natural crown. Have a look through some of the links I've posted. There are lots of other places in the area. Pull out a map and have a careful look. I'm sure you'll find the extra time there worthwhile. The town of Russell, on the opposite side of the bay from Paihia, is a popular stop for South Pacific cruise ships. Tauck used to include the area, but I suppose in their efforts to contain the overall length of the trip to suit US tastes, something has to give. Hopefully it will persuade you to return and spend more time in NZ.

Cheers,

Jan ….. short for Janice, so yes, I'm a girl! ))

HuntNfun

Jan, I sincerely appreciate your advice. A person can research, which I know how to do quite well as my background is in librarianship, but it is the advice of those who live in an a region or country and have experienced it that is most beneficial. No amount of research is going to give one the insight that you are able to share with us. I could certainly do the same for those who choose to visit parts of the US as I have traveled in almost all of the states.

You are so right about driving in NZ and any place where we would be driving on the "wrong" side of the road for us. I do not think we are going to attempt this as this will be coming at the end of a long trip and we will be rather tired, I am sure. We may just opt for a Gray Line tour which will pick us up at the hotel, take us to several places for stops before a leisurely lunch in Paihia where we can then depart for the cruise of the bay, and will be picked up afterwards for the drive back to the hotel.

jdurkin

Oh, that's funny. Ditto about the background! You can't keep a good researcher down!

Are you planning to do a day trip from Auckland? Or have I misunderstood you ….

Cheers,

Jan

Richardb

Edd and Ruby say they plan an additional 3 days at the end of the tour in Auckland. I would certainly try to visit further north to see the Traditional Maori Treaty signing historic places at Whangarei. You will get a superb historical tour at the museum in Wellington where the guide will tell you about all the historic stuff, but we felt that Tauck did not complete the circle by taking us to the Treaty sights. Thankfully we had done that several years previously, but for others it seemed a shame not to complete the picture. You will need to schedule your entire 3 days to make a trip up north worth while.
Richard

jdurkin

The Treaty Grounds are at Waitangi, which is just north of Paihia, as I mention above.

http://www.waitangi.org.nz

Whangarei is the largest city, and regional capital, of the Northland region. It is located a little south of the township of Paihia. Whangarei has its own notable history, related to the early white exploration of New Zealand, particularly a notable landing by Captain James Cook. (A similar historic association with the modern State of Hawaii where the Union flag forms part of the State flag.)

Cheers,

Jan

HuntNfun

[Are you planning to do a day trip from Auckland? Or have I misunderstood you …. ]

Jan, you asked about our plans. Well,I am still pondering and researching. But we may just do a day trip. I am checking with the options through Fullers GreatSight Day tours, since you mentioned Fullers in an earlier post.

HuntNfun

[Are you planning to do a day trip from Auckland? Or have I misunderstood you …. ]

Jan, you asked about our plans. Well,I am still pondering and researching. But we may just do a day trip. I am checking with the options through Fullers GreatSight Day tours, since you mentioned Fullers in an earlier post.

Richardb

OOOPS! So sorry everyone for wrong information about Treaty sites. Very grateful to Jan for noticing and for her correction.
I knew what I meant but the wrong messages went down to my typing fingers.
Note to self - must take more care and read through what I type very carefully before hitting the send button! Must do better!
Richard

jdurkin

Richardb wrote:

OOOPS! So sorry everyone for wrong information about Treaty sites. Very grateful to Jan for noticing and for her correction.
I knew what I meant but the wrong messages went down to my typing fingers.
Note to self - must take more care and read through what I type very carefully before hitting the send button! Must do better!
Richard

Ha! I think I know what I mean to say all the time ….. and look at the trouble I get into! )))))))

Cheers,

Jan