doctormom

Thank you for the replies on my 5 days in NZ post. We did go to the Bay of Islands and had wonderful weather for our tours and sand boarding (Yes at over 70 years of age). We are now headed into Auckland before flying back home. Suggestions on sights and activities in Auckland. Thanks.

tripplanner001

A visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum is worth at least half a day, and you can easily walk around the gardens within the Domain. You could take a ferry to Devonport and hike up one of the dormant volcanoes for views across the water to the city. If you're into wines and good food, perhaps a day trip to Waiheke Island does the trick. If you are looking for black sands, I really liked Piha Beach. What are your interests?

doctormom

Thank you for the suggestions.

We can do some hiking but are in our 70's. We appreciate being out doors but could do a couple of hours in a museum. I also want to do some shopping - particularly for sweaters.

The "bird island" sounded interesting but not certain we can get tickets at this late date.

Diamantina

Nice to hear you lucked out on fine weather in the Bay of Islands.
If it's raining in Auckland, it won't be the best time for a trip to an island in Hauraki Gulf.
I think the bird island you mean is Tiritiri Matangi. It's well-worth visiting in fine weather; it's an extraordinary place. If conditions are rough, then the ferries won't even sail.
https://www.fullers.co.nz/destinatio...atangi-island/
Volcanic Rangitoto Island also has birds, though not nearly to the extent of TM, but it's a lot closer and easier to get to, and won't take up the entire day.
https://www.fullers.co.nz/destinatio...gitoto-island/
Fullers also offers a "volanic explorer" tour, which takes you around on a 4WD road train, and brings you to a staircase, where you can walk to the summit for great views. But, again, I wouldn't recommend this as a rainy day activity.

Tripplanner mentioned the black sand beach of Piha on Auckland's West Coast. If you head out that way, you can also visit Arataki Visitor Center:
http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil...ivisitorcentre
Bethell's Beach is also beautiful. Muriwai has a gannet colony, where gannets can be seen from August to March:
http://www.newzealand.com/int/featur...gannet-colony/
There are also some nice wineries around Kumeu.

I'd add to the rainy day city activities Auckland Art Gallery. Admission is free:
http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/
The Auckland War Memorial Museum has outstanding, must-see, Maori and Oceanic collections.

You'll have no problem shopping for sweaters on Queen St.

tasmangirl

Some good shops in Queen Street..Global Culture, Untouched World (High Street)and Icebreaker have good quality merino. Pay a bit more and it will last you for years. Cheap merino can be a bit itchy if you have sensitive skin.
If you are staying in the CBD you could get the train out to Sylvia Park an upmarket shopping/enterntainment/eating
destination. It's not of the Westfield chain so has different shops.
Wet and grotty weather here today however so an island trip might not be the best thing.
The Auckland Museum is great on a wet day.

tripplanner001

If the weather is nice and you want to go outdoors and do some hiking, I would highly recommend Waiheke Island. You can also go for the wine and food.

Melnq8

Sky Tower? We enjoyed a few hours there.

marg

If it's sunny, take the ferry to Devonport and have a wander.
In Auckland, visit the art gallery and look for their collection of Maori portraits - brilliant.