Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
4 Nov 2014 - Brisbane to Auckland
Departed Brisbane on time at 6:10am - arriving Auckland 11:50am (both local times - NZ ahead of Australia by 3 hours).
Transfer from Auckland Airport to City - a drive of approx 22 klm from the west side of the North Island to the East side. Locals refer to it as a 'complimentary coast to coast tour'. It's the narrowest part of the North Island. Can't believe how green and pretty the countryside is.
Booked into Ridges in the centre of Auckland City. Walked a few blocks to Albert Park - the University & Arts precinct. Beautiful lawns, gardens, statues and buildings. Then on down to the docks area. Then up to Sky City - the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and the highest bungy jump in New Zealand. The 360 degree views of Auckland and harbour were spectacular.
On our way back to Ridges, we dropped into an Irish pub - The Fiddler - and then (of course) to St Patrick's Cathedral.
Auckland is beautiful. It has the look and feel of Melbourne but built around the water like Sydney. If you're not walking up a hill - you're going down one.
Lots of beautiful old colonial buildings - e.g. London's Northern Trading Company Ltd) and modern shopping and dining - many retailers the same as in Australia.
We were surprised at the long afternoon. - sunset wasn't until 8:00pm.
Quiet night in the motel room. We join our tour at 6.:45am tomorrow.
Today's insights:
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand with a population of 1.3 million - more that the entire population of the South Island.
Known as the 'City of Sails' - largest sail boat ownership per inhabitant in the world.
Temperature: left Brisbane 20 - Auckland max today 16.
- comments