Ok--how about Auckland accomodations for the night we land.

We like the Novotel right at the airport - just roll your bags across a covered roadway and you're there. Not cheap, but incredibly convenient especially for short stays.

I am back. Hopefully, after our long flight we will feel like driving a bit?? Is it feasible to get to Russel? The drive there past Whangarei looks lovely, as does Whangaruru and Elloiot Bay. Then where - Is there enough to do for 5 nights in this area?

I trust you mean the day after you arrive?

Stepping off a long haul flight, into a rental vehicle to drive 3 1/2 hours on unknown roads in a foreign country & likely on the opposite side of the road to your usual - is not the smartest thing anyone could contemplate.

ditto Bokhara2’s remarks regarding driving. How many time zones will you cross in your trip from the USA? Sleep experts say it takes one day for each hour of time difference to recover from jet lag. There is a tendency to equate lack of sleep on a long flight with jet lag, but the those are two separate problems. A good night’s sleep can overcome the former, but it takes time for your circadian rhythms to adjust and overcome the later. Some people adjust more easily than others.

This little tidbit convinced me to stop driving from my hometown airport to my hotel (about a 20 minute drive on familiar roads on a familiar side of the road) after my numerous flights from Australia and Asia to the US:

<Seventeen to 19 hours without sleep is equivalent or worse than that of a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.05 percent. After longer periods without sleep, its closer to a BAC of 0.1 percent.>

You will put yourself, and more importantly, innocent others, at risk if you attempt to drive after such a long flight. Add to that, unfamiliar roads and driving on the left, and you're just looking for trouble.

Leave a day for recovering and spend 4 days in Northland.
What about Paihia as it is more centrally located? Or Kerikeri but it is not on the beach. A ferry goes from Paihia to Russell as the road trip is longer.
If you go north then there is not time for Rotorua/Waitomo/Coromandel area.

OK--convinced. We will venture out on day #2.

Good on ya!

Good!

Now you can follow Melnq8's excellent advice & roll yourself & your bags over to the Novotel, have a good night's sleep & start fresh the next morning.

We will all sleep easier ;)

Jet Park Hotel is cheaper than Novotel and they offer a shuttle pickup. We stayed there when getting the 6 am flight to Brisbane and it was fine.
Ibis Budget is well located but very budget. Just a bed and bathroom...no kettle or mugs or anything.

We arrive at 5:30 AM!! Would there possibly be a shuttle to Devonport? This would allow us a pleasant place to recover and still enjoy the day.

Did you see this page?
http://www.visitdevonport.co.nz/auckland-airport

You could also just take the SkyBus or AirBus Express from Auckland Airport to the ferry terminal and then take Fuller's ferry to Devonport. Ferry ride takes 12 minutes. Pretty little trip.
https://www.fullers.co.nz/

Our first night we will stay in Devonport, and perhaps get there by ferry!! We are looking into the Esplanade or Peace and Plenty B&B, but alway enjoy info from this Blog. Then on day #2 get to Russel. We would like to stay on the Bay. I would appreciate any suggestions. arcadia Lodge? thanks.