[holland]

Hi,

If we book a hotel in Parnell,can you walk to Auckland?? If so, how long would it take?? If not,what transport is available to get to Auckland? Approx prices?

Thanks in advance

J x

[neilw71]

Parnell is in Auckland :) Its on the edge of the CBD, so about a 10 min walk into Queen Street. Buses and taxis also run as an option.

Neil

[holland]

Thanks Neil

J

[DMcG]

Have a look at this (http://www.smaps.co.nz) site. Enter Parnell and choose the Auckland one. That'll give you and idea of it's overall placement in the city.

Dougie

[KerryS]

It would depend where in Parnell you are. The bottom end (The Strand) is about 1015 minutes walk to the CBD. At the top end of Parnell Road it's closer to a 20-30 minute walk.
The Link bus goes through Parnell and costs $1.60 no matter where you get off.
There's no train service.

[Tia Maria]

Moorf should be able to fill you in when she gets back - she's staying there at this moment!

Cheers

Tia

[holland]

oooo, Thanks everyone, so fab with information as usual!!! Its getting closer, going to book hotel today, and thinking Parnell is the way to go.

Is Moorf staying for the full weekend??

J xx

[Moorf]

Hi - we're back and, after having taken a few forms of transport in Auckland's CBD and Parnell area I feel I can advise you somewhat!

Firstly, we stayed in a lovely wee hotel on Brighton Road, which is pretty much at the top of the steepest part of Parnell (and boy do my thighs know it!). It's not flash but it's good value and friendly - it's the Chalet Chevron http://www.chaletchevron.co.nz/ - $155 / night including full cooked brekkie. Nice old Parnell house.

As for the walk in to town, we didn't do it. From our hotel it took a good 20 mins to get to the Vector Arena, along Parnell Road. We also walked back from the Vector Arena to the hotel and... never again, not unless I got to stop at every bar and cafe along the way (of which there are LOADS).... it was knackering....

I would say that Parnell is, as Kerry said, a good 30 minute brisk walk down Parnell Rd in to the CBD. An alternative route is via the Museum and through the Auckland domain which was really lovely. I reckon it's a good 40-50 mins back up the hill !!

There's also the Link Bus - $1.60 each and a total bargain and very handy. You can get it from near the hospital if you go to the museum, or from along Parnell Road itself. We used this to get around a lot.

We took a taxi back from town, too. We got in at the Britomart in the CBD and it cost $17 to our hotel in Parnell which I thought wasn't too bad at the time, and that was before we'd hiked back up the hill from the Vector Arena - after doing that climb I can honestly say it was $17 well spent!!! Taxis seemed readily available wherever we were.

We also went on a train (Trains, Planes and Automobiles!) from the Britomart to near Manuwera. Great train service, clean and lots of free seats. Not a bad price too. However, there's no train service from or to Parnell.

Hope that helps!

Moorf

[holland]

Moorf,

Thankyou so much for so much fab info...much appreciated, so good to get prices of things and time scales!!

Hope you had nice time! sounds like your thighs got a good work out!!

J xx

[holland]

Been quoted $30.00 from the airport to Parnell. Parnell rd/st stephens avenue to be exact,is that about right?? we are looking at staying at the Parnell Village Motor Lodge, I don't suppose you saw this on your travels Moorf???

J xx

[Moorf]

Yes, I did see it - wasn't far at all from us. It's on the main road so try and get a back room ;) Looked nice/smart - white weatherboard house, old place if I recall correctly?

Which route is costing you $30? We paid that for the bloomin' airbus from airport Britomart - I thought that was v. expensive for an airport route.

[holland]

Hi,

I don't know which route...does that seem expensive/cheap??We just emailed the motel and asked loads of questions, and he replied that he could sort out a taxi from the airport for $30.00. The price it is quoted as costing per night on the website, room only is $95.00, but I asked for 'special price' for a week...how xcheeky am I???? My mum always says 'you dont get if you don't ask', anyway he has said we can have a room for $80.00!!

Thanks for tip about getting room at the back!!

J xx

[Moorf]

I'd say $30 was a great price if door to door! Especially as it's the same as the bus trip cost us (for two) and we had to walk to the hotel from the bus stop!

And always try and get a bargain - anywhere!! Well done you!

Let me know what you think of Parnell!

Oh, and there's a little bar down a side alley off Parnell Rd (on the left going downhill) called the Elephant bar and they made great mojitas and nice, small but friendly atmosphere and snack menu!! ;)

[holland]

Thanks Moorf,

Think we're going to book today...if there is a back room available:nice1

Will let you know what we think, we arrive mid November.

Im presuming the taxi is door to door...the guy at this motel seems so friendly sent lots of info, he says the area is quite expensive as it is one of the most up-market parts of Auckland, and there are over 60 cafes etc...

I hope everyone else in NZ is so friendly, we have only been in contact via email, and he has been so helpful!!

J xx

[Moorf]

Yep, the area is lovely - busy but lovely. Lots of lovely restaurants and bars. We ate at Oh Calcutta and, to be honest, it wasn't that special considering it's supposed to be the best Indian in New Zealand.

The museum is in walking distance (easy way is slightly further up hill and a right hand turn). Nice clothes shops and antiquey stores too so watch that wallet!! :D

[holland]

Thanks Moorf, will try out the elephant bar...and leave the wallet at home!!!!!!!!

[holland]

Oh....I forgot....I won't have one !!!:D

[KerryS]

Moorf is right - Parnell Motor Lodge is right at the top of Parnell Rd, on the junction of St Stephens Ave, and opposite the Cathedral. It's not that noisy a road - it never really gets that busy through there.
$30 from the airport to the motel is a fantastic price for a taxi! Usually taxis from the airport are double that price, so I would definitely take the motel owner up on that deal.
It would be quite a trek into the CBD from there - at least 30 mins at a decent pace. The Link bus stop is straight across the street though.
As well as the Elephant bar Moorf recommends (real name B@1, if you want to find some reviews online) there are lots of other good bars. I like The Bog for Sunday lunch - a pseudo Irish bar with live music.
You can eat almost every type of cuisine you can think of along Parnell Rd. If you want to grab a snack then Pandoro Bakery has lovely sandwiches and breads. (And fab bacon and spring onion muffins!)
I used to live in Parnell, and lots of my friends still do - so if you want some specific advice on restaurants, cafes etc give me a shout.

[Moorf]

You can eat almost every type of cuisine you can think of along Parnell Rd

Yup, we were gobsmacked at the number of bars and restaurants along that road - lots of choice. There's even a Russian restaurant!!

[xanctus]

St. Stephens Ave and Parnell Rd is like connected really. One to the left and one to the right (depending on where u're heading to)
Speaking of which, if you're going to CBD along side parnell road, you will be seeing many cafes which is nice if the weather is perfect. So make sure, bring your rain coat/umbries.

Moorf, I didn't realized that you were in Akld, Parnell...I have passing the area almost every other day, since I work that ASB tennis Centre in Tennis Lane Rd , across the Domain.

[Nick88]

That sounds like a reasonable fare for that distance, it is quite long way.

I stayed at the motel about a year ago, and it was adequate. It had been on the market for a couple of years at that point and was showing its age. Looking at the website the furnishings are different, so perhaps the place has sold and the new owners have thrown some money at it. The car park is really, really tight.

Only a short walk to Parnell's main shopping area (very metropolitan), which includes The Bog Irish pub, Oh Calcutta indian restaurant, and a Movenpick icecream shop. My favourite evening out.