Things to Do Near Auckland Airport
 

On my way back home, I have a 12 hour layover at the Auckland airport. Is there anything close enough to the airport to see without going all the way back into the center of the city? I know there is a place called Butterfly Creek, but I don't imagine it would take up 12 hours of my time. Or is it better to save Mt. Eden for the trip back (instead of first day) and go back into Auckland. I only have the 2 days there (one full day the day I get in and the layover on the way back).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Auckland Botanic gardens are about 6km (I think) away from the airport. We visited on our last morning in NZ, as our flight was at 3pm. The gardens cover a huge area and there is a cafe and visitor centre. If you are interested in plants, you could easily spend a good few hours here.

With 12 hours available I would come in to the city on a shuttle bus (30-40 mins) and spend some time just wandering - there is a lot to see in the city, all within walking distance. There's really not much else out at the airport, or even close by.

If you get dropped off at Sky City (which is a tower with a viewing platform and good restaurant on top of a casino) you can have a look over the city, then perhaps walk down Queen Street (the main street) to the waterfront.

From the waterfront you can either just meander around to the Viaduct (great bars and eateries and a Maritime Museum), or you can catch a local ferry across to Devonport (a little town across the harbour). The ferry to Devonport only takes a couple of minutes and is pretty frequent. You can just stay on it and do a round trip if time is tight. From the ferry you'll see the whole cityscape and the Harbour Bridge. You can walk back up to Sky City (where loads of airport shuttles come and go) in about 10 mins.

I would suggest booking a shuttle back to the airport to make sure you have a ride back!! Watch out for traffic delays at peak commuter times - heading out to the airport from the city between 7:30am - 9:30 am and from the airport to the city between 4pm - 6pm, can be up to or over an hour!!

If the above isn't your thing there are two public art galleries in the city (again, within walking distance), the university grounds and Albert Park - a gorgeous big park with statues etc etc.

Let me know if you have any particular interests and I'll see if there's anything else you could do...
:-) Catherine

We had a 15 hour layover last weekend and we took a taxi into the city. I know it is cheapter to take the shuttle but we hadn't slept in 36 hours at this point and just didn't have the patience. (We had just flown in from Fiji)

It only took 30 minutes to get into the city and was well worth it. We did about everything that bigglescat suggested and it made a very nice day to end our 3 week trip.

Also, I don't know where you are coming from, but if you have already paid a departure tax, you do not have to pay it again. You just have to go to the Bank of NZ in the airport and ask them to give you an exemption and they will put a sticker on the back of your boarding pass.

Thank you bigglescat. Thing is, I have an entire day upon arrival (2/22) to float around the city, and my hotel is within a few blocks of the Sky Tower. I get in on 2/22 at 6 a.m. and though I would like to take a short nap to then go out & about, I don't know if that would be possible, as the hotel would neither tell me yes or no.

I did notice you posted me about the dolphins on my other thread. I was hoping to get down to the harbour to do that on 2/22 as it is the only chance I can get to see dolphins. I am now concerned about what you have mentioned with the waters; the booking sites have told me that I need to book the dolphin trip at least 48 hours in advance. Maybe I should write them again.

I have noticed the shuttle bus from the airport as well and have printed out all that information because it seems the most logical way.

I have also been to the Auckland information website to see what is east, west and south of the city. Only problem with that is transportation.

I am really interested in wildlife, and have noticed there is a gannet colony that is listed on a tour co's website; unfortunately the timing of my arrival & departure do not allow me to travel with the tour group out there. Is there any other way to get out to Murawai(sp?) to see them?

As for departure taxes, I'm just coming back North from Christchurch to connect with the plane back to LA. So seeing as this will be my first point of departure, I'll assume Auckland is where I'll have to pay it.

Thanks for all your (current & future) help.

You can drive yourself to Muriwai. The colony is easy to get to and well worth the visit.