What To Do-Full Day Free in Auckland

[Thunderbird19]

Cruise ship arrives in Auckland in mid-January on a Friday, plane back to the states doesn't leave until 11 pm.  Would love suggestions for what to see/do that day.

 

Thinking of getting a rental car (that would solve the "what to do with luggage?" issue) so would be able to drive outside of Auckland as well.

 

Another Option is getting an inexpensive hotel room near airport (luggage issue solved) and, after getting around Auckland using public transport or a tour group, maybe grabbing a late evening nap before heading to airport.

[cruisermsoon]

I've been researching Auckland public transport for an upcoming cruise, and have learned that Auckland buses don't accept cash. 

The easiest way is to purchase an AT HOP card, $5 plus $20 loading, giving you discounted travel on buses, trains and ferries.

Look at their site https://at.govt.nz/

for more information and more specifically 

https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/at-hop-card/

 

[sleepingcat]

downtown Auckland is a pretty nice place to spend a day. Auckland harbour is one of the most beautiful in the world. A harbour cruise would be a good option or the skytower(or whatever its called). The cruise terminal is right in the downtown.  so I might suggest the opposite, ie get a hotel room as close as possible to where the ship docks and use that as a base for your day, then rest up and go out to the airport later. 

 

our experience was  2 nights in Auckland prior to boarding a half world cruise.  the cruise dock is so close that my husband walked down from our hotel before  breakfast to see if our ship had arrived.  if we hadn't had luggage we could have walked to the check in. 

 

we did not like driving around Auckland, the road system is not great, got lost several times finding our way in to centre, so would not recommend hiring a car. and it is busy. 

[lyndarra]

 An interesting way to spend a couple of hours is to take an escorted Segway tour of historic Devonport which is a short, pleasant, ferry ride across the harbour from Auckland. The ferry terminal is next to the cruise ship dock and I believe there is a luggage storage facility there.

The Segways are located at the ferry wharf in Devonport. It is best to pre book.

Myself and two lady friends did this tour in Feb 2020, all of us in our 70s, it was interesting and great fun. Here's the link for the Segways.

https://www.magicbroomsticktours.co.nz/

 

[cruiser3775]

There are several places in Auckland that will store your luggage, including one right at the wharf:

https://princes-wharf.co.nz/project/the-luggage-hotel/

 

You could take a ferry to Waiheke Island and do a tour and a wine tasting:

www.waiheke.co.nz

[MMDown Under]

56 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said:

There are several places in Auckland that will store your luggage, including one right at the wharf:

https://princes-wharf.co.nz/project/the-luggage-hotel/

 

You could take a ferry to Waiheke Island and do a tour and a wine tasting:

www.waiheke.co.nz

I agree with this suggestion of an enjoyable day trip.  If the weather isn't agreeable, I'd visit the excellent Auckland War Memorial Museum for fun history and Maori culture.