jewelhawg

We are so lucky to be able to take a wonderful golf cruise around New Zealand in February 2009.

The scheduled golf cruise vacation actually begins in Queentowns, NZ for a couple of days of golf. Then we fly to Christchurch, NZ to board the ship for cruising and golfing at different ports.

I've secured airline tickets with a layover in Nadi, Fiji then a layover in Auckland...before heading on to Queenstown.

1st question * Do we layover for 4 days in Fiji or 4 days in Auckland?

2nd question * Wherever we layover, the first day will be spent sleeping What do we do the next 3 days?

jewelhawg

Make that Fiji...not sure where my brain is...

wilees

Re: layover - I think it depends on what you are interested in. You visit Fiji for two reasons mainly 1- lie on a beach and do beachy things or 2-have a cultural experience in a poor country - you can't really have both as the resorts give you an unrealistic view of Fiji.

My advice, if you layover in Fiji, spend the money for a nice resort and lie on a beach. Although, I think that time on an island is nicer rather than in Nadi.

If you are interested in getting out and about (rather than relaxing) I would recommend Auckland as a layover.

If you do end up in Fiji - don't drink the water without boiling it first - even to brush your teeth(from experience!)

jewelhawg

Thank you Wilees...I was leaning toward Auckland. All I needed was a nudge. The group I'm with are not beachy people (although I am!). As a whole, we'd rather go out and explore.

So, okay Fodorites, what are the top things to do in 3 days in Auckland and surrounding areas?

I will do a search, too. Thanks in advance.

hikrchick

I loved Auckland when I was there for 5 days last year. I loved taking the ferry to Waiheke Island where I went to some wineries and sat under the olive trees and drank wine. I also loved taking the ferry to Rangitoto, which is a dormant volcano, and hiking to the top. I loved spending an afternoon in Davenport and walking around all the interesting shops and up a hill that's a former volcano and seeing the entire bay. If you want to do something "beachy" you could take a picnic to the Auckland Domain (huge park in the middle of the city) and also visit the Auckland Museum, which was very interesting, especially the Maori galleries. (they have a lovely gift shop there too) And I know you can get on a sailboat and go sailing around Auckland Harbor, which is one thing I'm sorry I didn't do.

If you're looking for something crazy to do you can jump off of the Sky Tower. Or you can go have drinks in the bar at the top and watch people jump off outside the window.

If you're interested in things off the beaten path, you might like the Saturday market out at Otara. It's not a crafts market but really a farmers market in a neighborhood that's heavily Maori/polynesian. It was very interesting. You can take a regular city bus there.

Hope that's helpful.

afterall

Another vote for a trip out to Waiheke Island. Also go to the Ware Memorial Musuem and walk back to town through the Domain. It's downhill.

Alternatively, (depends on whether it's 3 FULL days) cut back on time in Auckland and go to either the Bay of Islands or Rotorua.

As has already been said, depends on how you like to spend your time - shopping, musuems, walking, natural beauty, history ...

Have a great time.