akl accom for spookers/rainbows end
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Topic: akl accom for spookers/rainbows end
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Subject: akl accom for spookers/rainbows end
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 1:33pm
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hi all
geez it's been a long time since i've been here! DH and i are going to akl next month for 3 days and our 'must do' things are spookers and rainbows end. i'm not familiar with akl at all and don't know where these places are, so not sure what area to look for accom in.......any suggestions?? also, is it easy to get to these places or should we find a cheap car to hire? thanks for the help!  ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 2:08pm
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If those are your must do's, find a cheap car to hire! Public transport options are limited, and I don't think you can get to Spookers by anything other than car (for Rainbows End you have the added option of a bus). Also, a good map or gps, in my opinion auckland is not very well signposted.
Both Spookers and Rainbows End are in South Auckland. So you would want accommodation in the Manukau area. Although you won't see a lot of Auckland out that way. Maybe one night in South Auckland and two in central city (though make sure the central city place includes parking). Your other option is to look at somewhere like Ellerslie, quick clip down the motorway to either Rainbows End or into the city from there. Is it just you and your DH, or are the kids coming too? Spookers is R16, and even their kids attractions are R8. Other activities I can suggest: - pizza in Mission Bay one evening. Take it to go and sit out on the beach. The view is really beautiful and there are some great pizza places along there. - a walk along the Viaduct. (see why Auckland is the City of Sails) - go up the Sky Tower. Touristy, yes, but the view is fantastic. It costs to go up, but if you were to have brunch at Orbit, you get the view for free. Let me know if you need help or have questions. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 2:40pm
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thanks for your help!
it's just DH and i, no kids, yay!! 
i've been looking at cars online and the cheapest one i found for 3 days was $55 a day! can anyone recommend any cheap ones, they don't have to be newer cars. we'd like to have 1 night in a fancy hotel too, anyone recommend anything flash? we've been up the skytower before so not too worried about doing that, but the pizza in mission bay sounds good! thankfully, we have a gps so will definately bring that!  ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: JadeC
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 3:09pm
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I would definitely be looking at wotif.co.nz for the accomodation - much cheaper than normal!
I don't think I'd stay in Manukau if you have a choice, not much touristy/nice stuff to do there. ------------- http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 4:35pm
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I agree, Jade. The only benefit Manukau has is that it's in the vicinity of their 'must do's'. The other site I use is Ezibed.com - though I can't recommend any hotels as I've never needed one in Auckland.
The cheapest I've seen car rentals for is $39 a day. (exploremore.co.nz and a couple of other places I can't remember). You will definitely need to shop around to get a good price. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 4:37pm
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Your other option is to stay somewhere central, and just hire a car for a day to go out to Rainbows End & Spookers, then walk or taxi the rest of the time. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 10 January 2011 at 9:52pm
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Although the 2 attractions you want to see are in South Auckland, I would recommend staying in the city and hiring car for both of those days - or you could do Rainbows End during the day and Spookers in the evening so would only need car hire from say 9am to 9am the following day?
Hotels to stay at - really depends on your budget. Wotif.com is definitely the place to go for accommodation - they also usually have a Wot Hotel deal - you don't know where it is until you book it but they have very good specials and you can choose the star rating so that you know the minimum standard that you are receiving. For a night at somewhere fancy, I would recommend Hilton, Langham or Sky Grand, all 5 star hotels. Or for a 4.5 star hotel - Rydges or the Heritage. Cheap car rentals - try Jucy Rentals - they always have cheap cars available. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 9:25am
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We stayed in Auckland town and went to the bus/train exchange thing and asked the information guy who told us how to get there. I think it was about an hour on bus but soooo easy and not too expensive.
Have fun!! |
Posted By: JadeC
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 2:32pm
Don't use taxis. The price is just freaking incredible, I feel like I need to sell a kidney everytime we take one! ------------- http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/" rel="nofollow">
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astral_monkey wrote:Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 2:40pm
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thanks everyone for your helpful ideas! have been keeping an eye on wotif for accom, might just stay somewhere in the city and hire a car for a day for our must do's........any other ideas for things to do that aren't too costly? ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: KazS
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 6:35pm
| There is a nice motel in very easy walking distance from Rainbows end - just on the other side of the motorway - i will look at the name of it tomorrow for you |
Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 6:52pm
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Without kids i'd definitely stay in town and bus out to Manukau - good way to see the city suburbs and hassle free travel. But you'll need a car for spookers i'd say. Town gives the most options for eating out or bars or events etc. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 7:33pm
Yeah dont stay in Manukau  lol - Id stay in town and then bus into manukau, Rainbows End is in the heart of Manukau, and Spookers is about 30 mins from there, Spookers is in Karaka.
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 7:42pm
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Other things to see/do - if the weather is good, go out to the west coast - Piha, Muriwai beaches etc. It is a nice scenic drive - but a car is definitely needed.
As someone mentioned - Mission Bay - get fish & chips or pizza and eat on the beach front. You can park a wee while before it, say Okahu Bay and walk around if the weather is good? Or go to St Heliers instaed which is just around the corner from these two areas. You can get a bus to these areas. Day trip to Matakana (would need a car) - about 1 hour north from the CBD. There is a farmers market and there are heaps of wineries. Day trip to Waiheke - if you stay in town, you can walk down to the ferry building and take the ferry (about 40 mins) - there are buses that are available at the other end going to wineries or local areas (where cafes are etc). Parnell Farmers Market - Saturdays I think 8amish to around midday. Lots of cheese, breads, olive oils and other goodies - yum! Not far from the CBD and can get there by bus. Shopping - Newmarket or Sylvia Park. You can get the bus to Newmarket or train to Sylvia Park. Ponsonby - 5-10 mins on bus - great cafes and shops there too. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 8:55pm
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lol sheza....you've put me off manakau now
are there no buses that go out to spookers? ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 11 January 2011 at 9:11pm
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I would check out maxx.co.nz for bus details to Spookers - it is on Kingseat Road - I would say it would be a bit of a mission though? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 10:07am
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I wouldn't taxi all the way out to the 'burbs, that's for sure! I was thinking more about dinner at mission bay and that sort of thing.
Spookers is in Kingseat, which is slightly further out than Karaka. I doubt there will be a bus that late at night (Spookers is open 8-10.30pm and only on Friday & Saturdays), I tried the Maxx website and couldn't find anything. I would ring Maxx or Spookers and ask. I'm interested to hear peoples opinions of the bus and train network in Auckland - particularly out of towners. For the most part I think it's crap, but maybe I'm being closed minded and should give it another chance (I used to train to work in the city every day). It will definitely get tested later this year with the RWC. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |