[suzer]

Where would you take your friends and family if they came to visit?

Keep in mind we have no car;)

[Familyofmonkeys]

My mum just left last week....managed to take her round to see quite a bit.

CDB, Viaduct Harbour etc.

You could go one the hop on hop off bus tour around Auckland. The A to Z Auckland guide from the airport also does discounts on this and cheaper second day of bus pass. It does CBD, Parnell, Museum (could see half-naked blokes doing Haka :D there and good Maori section), Tamaki Drive, Kelly Tarltons, Ponsonby etc.

Kelly Tarltons also has a free shuttle bus from CBD if you fancy going to see the penguins!

Sky tower worth going up....also discounts in all the tourist booklets.

Could get ferry to Devonport and have Ice cream while enjoying view.

There is an Bush and Beach eco tour company that does shuttle to Arataki Visitor Centre and Waitakere Ranges.

Most of the big parks and Volcano cones are walkable from CBD or have buses nearby....there is the Observatory near One Tree Hill that does 'The Sky tonight' most night at 8pm....into to sky in southern hemisphere.

[Oregonkiwi]

Agree with all of the above (I definitely recommend the Museum and Domain), plus:
-the view from the top of Mt Eden is great; the 274 Three Kings bus goes along Mt Eden Road.
- day trip to Rangitoto maybe?

[Oregonkiwi]

Also see this thread:
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12047

[jubjub]

Oooh yes a trip up rangitoto, if they are not up to the walk, there is a little tractor that can drive you to the top, the views are great! Waiheke for winery lunch and a stroll?

http://www.fullers.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/15 here is a list of where you can get to from Viaduct harbour on the ferries.

Zoo and MOTAT, right next to each other both are just off Great North Road, which is a pretty busy bus route.

If you like penguins, Kellys is a good one, the gentoos are laying eggs at the mo, so if your visitors come soon they might see cute chickies!

[suzer]

Agree with all of the above (I definitely recommend the Museum and Domain), plus:
-the view from the top of Mt Eden is great; the 274 Three Kings bus goes along Mt Eden Road.
- day trip to Rangitoto maybe?


Yep, we live right behind the crater so will definitely take Mom there if she ends up coming;)

Will check out Rangitoto thanks.

[suzer]

Well,

This is what I've decided upon for about a weeks visit:

Eden Gardens (good for the 1st day as just around the corner & low key for someone with jet lag)
Rotorua (renting a car for one day)
Waiheke Island Vineyard Tour
Botanic Gardens
City Centre, Sky Tower & Viaduct
Mission Bay
Auckland Museum and Newmarket

[Familyofmonkeys]

Well,

This is what I've decided upon for about a weeks visit:

Eden Gardens (good for the 1st day as just around the corner & low key for someone with jet lag)
Rotorua (renting a car for one day)
Waiheke Island Vineyard Tour
Botanic Gardens
City Centre, Sky Tower & Viaduct
Mission Bay
Auckland Museum and Newmarket

Not done Botanic gardens yet....do you think there is enough to keep sprogs entertained for a few hours?

[snailandthewhale]

When visiting the Sky Tower, it's worthwhile to have lunch / dinner there. You pay $25 just for the view, but you can have a nice meal there, spend your $25 in the cafes / restaurants and the view is free.

K

[suzer]

When visiting the Sky Tower, it's worthwhile to have lunch / dinner there. You pay $25 just for the view, but you can have a nice meal there, spend your $25 in the cafes / restaurants and the view is free.

K

That's an idea, although I was thinking lunch down on the Viaduct. We have one free tkt for Sky Tower as it is.