4th Day - Auckland City Tour ( 4 Destination )

New Zealand Road Trip - 4th Day - Auckland City Tour

Kelly Tarlston Sea Live Aquarium - Museum Transport and Technology -

Stardome & Observatory - Mount  Eden

After No more destination around the Sky Tower, At day 5 we hire car. There are many car rental company at new Zealand. You can read here when i choose the car rental for may trip. I choose apex car rental, one of the reason is apex have many branches from north until south islands, so it will be easier to help if my car got problem. At Auckland, apex have two branch, one near the airport and the other at beach road.
Distance betwen Crowne plaza hotel and Apex auckland city branch is 1,5km or 20 minute walks. When walking we look once backpacker hotel again, Frienz.Com. Cool weather and Fresh air make 20minute walks is not tiring.
Some reason why i choose road trip in new zealand, besides the reason that i wrote here is i love driving a car. i choose manual transmision for this long journey.
And this is my rent detail for 32days
Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2010 , Manual Transmision
Full Insurance
Booster Seats
GPS
Snow Chain
Cost : NZD1950 ( include Interislander Ferry )

In New Zealand Fuel is not cheap, so if you plan the budget road trip you can compare fuel consumption each car. We Take Apex offering for 20% discount for first tank of fuel, with the agreement when return the car apex not refund for unused fuel. The 20% discount only available at the closest petrol station to your pickup depot.
Next Destination is Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, when passing tamaki drive we were treated to a beautiful view. Tamaki drive is road crossing in the middle of the strait, if you like golf you can try liliput mini golf located on tamaki drive too. Before passing Orakei domain, you will meet Ferg Kayaks, one of the biggest kayaks store In New Zealand. Throughtout along tamaki drive, many tourists enjoy the tamaki drive by bycicle, i think this is the great activity. If you interest with that activity you also can hire a cycle at ferg kayaks.
From Apex Office to Kelly's Tarlton is only 6km, with auckland traffic conditions should be reached within only five minutes, but like i wrote here i take in 30 minutes, many places with beautiful scenery that make me have to stop for a moment to enjoy and take a pictures.
Kelly's Tarlton have large collection of underwater animal from the sharks, gigantic stringway until cute seahorses. This place also have many interest booth and attraction one of them is dive with sharks.
After kelly's tarlton next destination is Stardome Observetory, located approximately 12km from kelly tarlston. On the way we pass Orakei Train Station, Orakei West Reserve, ( As a bigger city in New Zealand, auckland still have many city park and reserve, thats make this city always cool and have clear air ). Through GreenLane road / Ellerslie area we pass Novotel Ellerslie, All Seson Hotel, countdown supermarket, and urban forest again. You like equestrian sport? If you like you must visit alexandra park located on green lane west .
Arrive on Stardome Observatory, a little disapointed cause we only can go to the gift shop. Better before you go this place, you know the planetarium show schedule. On Gift Shop you can buy binocular, this item maybe usefull for your trip in New Zealand.
If you follow my itinerary and buy binocular on stardome , you will directly use on next destination, One Three Hill And Mount Eden Domain.
One Three Hill and Mount Eden is volcanic peak in Auckland. From here you can look amazing view of the downtown area especially skytower and harbour area. Chirping of Birds, lush of trees, Fresh air , sheep, green grass complement the beautiful scenery. And the Big and Good News, this is free. One Three Hill is only 1,5km from stardome observatory, and mount eden is approximately 10km from one three hill.
In my itinerary we plan visit Museum Of Transportation and Technology in this day, but at the mount eden we already too afternoon. My baby is look tired too, so we go to the hotel. If yesterday we stay at luxury hotel, today we choose the backpacker style. Ponsonby backpacker hotel. We take doubles room.
After nap , i go to New World Supermarket at victoria park within 1km, i buy variety of item for next trip especially food cause it will be more expensive if we always eat at the restaurant.

Route Trip : Crowne Plaza Hotel - Apex Car Depot - Kelly Tarlston - Stardome Observatory - One Three Hill - Mount Eden - Ponsonby Backpacker - New World Supermarket Victoria Park

Budget on 4th Day
Car Hire $1950
Car Petrol $97 ( $121 + Discount 20% )
Kelly Tarlston $17 ( Ticket only for my baby, use auckland multipass read here )
Stardome Observatory $0
One Three Hill $0
Mount Eden $0
Lunch , Epsom Turkish Kebab $55
New World Supermarket $150
Ponsonby Backpacker, Doubles Room $68

Total : NZD $2337

40 Days New Zealand Road Trip ( Index )

40 Days New Zealand Road Trip - Index

Introduction New Zealand Road Trip 
Day 1 - Arrive In Auckland Airport
Day 2 - Auckland City Tour ( Butterfly Creeks , Auckland Sky Tower , Queens Street )
Day 3 - Auckland City Tour ( Fullers Ferry , Rangitoto Island , Queens Street , Albert Park )
Day 4 - Auckland City Tour ( Kelly Tarlston , Museum Transport And Technology, Stardome and Observatory, Mount Eden )
Day 5 - Auckland City Tour ( MOTAT - Auckland Zoo - Snow Planet )
Day 6 - Auckland City Tour ( Sylvia Park Mall, Rainbow's End ) - Hot Water Beach
Day 7 - Hot Water Beach - Hahei Explorer

3rd Day - Auckland City Tour ( Rangitoto Island - Albert Park )

3rd Day - Auckland City Tour

( Rangitoto Island - Queens Street - Albert Park )

Check out from hotel at 9pm, next destination is Rangitoto Islands. Rangitoto Island s is volcano island. I carry all my bags, cause i would have choose other hotel for stay this night. Heading to the Rangitoto Island , served by Fullers Ferry, so we must go to the harbour. From the front of the hotel you could see the sea. It's simple guidance again and that is the location of fullers ferry. Walks along Albert Street Fullers Ferry only 0.5km or 10minute walks. If you not have breakfast, you can buy at mc donalds or burger king that is passed.
I used my auckland multipass so i.m not buy the ticket again. Lenght of ferry journey approximately 30minutes. there are three times ferry schedules from auckalnd fery terminal to rangitoto islands. My ferry departs on 10.30 am. At the rangitoto islands you can follow "rangitoto explorer tour"  to explore the rangitoto with 4WD vehicles or hike with stunning view. It's look beutiful explorer journey, but after thought im not follow this tour cause the tour is 4 hours lenght and maybe this tour is not too suitable for my baby.
Nearest ferry schedule from Rangitoto to auckland at 12.45 pm. Wait that schedule i walk around the dock, and open my lunch. Don't forget your lunch cause in this island you cannot encounter victualler. At 12.45 i'm bak to auckland, this ferry is fast and along the way you see auckland beautiful scenery.
After arrive my next destination is albert park. The small park near the auckland university and queen street the shooping street. I pick through queen street, albert park is 2hours walk from the ferry terminal hahaha. It's look far but actually is near but i stopped at many store along queens street. Dont afraid exhausted, widely available bench to rest while enjoying the new zealand atmosphere
And this is the store list that i stopped
- Queens Arcade , Two floor of Specialty shoppings
- Many New Zealand Souvenir Store
- RipCurl
- McDonalds
- Kebab On queens for dinner

Not much to tell of albert park, its like the common city park, the quite and cool place. After one hours walking and rest aroung the albert park i go to the hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel

Route Trip : Chiffey Suite Hotel - Fullers Ferry - Rangitoto Island - Queens Street - Albert Park - Crowne Plaza Hotel

Budget on Third Day

Fullers Ferry Auckland - Rangitoto $0 , include with auckland multipass on Day 2
Shop on Queens Street  $100
McDonald+Kebab On Queens $50
Crown Plaza Hotel $185
Total : NZD 325

2nd Day - Auckland City Tour ( Butterfly Creeks , Sky Tower )

2nd Day - Auckland City Tour

( Butterfly Creeks , Sky Tower )

On second day, after have breakfast we go to first destination. Not far from the hotel, approximately 1km only 15minutes walk. The first destination is Butterfly Creeks. I choose this destination cause pleasant mood my baby. Butterfly creeks is pleasant place, at butterfly house there are million butterfly from many type in which flying around you, sometimes alight in your hands. Besides the butterfly, this place offering other atrraction such as crocodile, mini zoo with cute animals like baby rabbits, guinea pugs, angora etc, Aquarium , reptile gallery, erotic monkey cotton top tamarin, etc. I buy the ticket with Auckland Multipass. 

Other atrractioan near with butterfly creeks is Treasure Islands Mini golf, the mini golf with theme. But i'm not been to this place. Maybe this place can be nice place if you like golf.
Distance betwen Butterfly creek and Auckland Toen center approximately 30km, and i'm not choose walking to go there haha. Availble bus from auckland international airport to auckland town center. Bus service is available 24hours every 10-20minutes. So it's very easy go to auckland city, and this is the reason why iam not rent a car from the airport, beside many tourist object can reach by walk in auckland city. It's save budget than hire a car from the airport.
At the auckland airport, We Take a rest and take photo of many aircraft for a while. With bus, airport to city approximately 45 minutes, there are 2 route from airport to city. The first via Dominion road, and the other via Mount Eden. But both of them through auckland skytower, as my next destination. Don't be afraid get lost, i think the skytower is easy guidance. I use this simple guidance, i had to get off at the first bus stop after passing skytower. So the skytower look behind me, this is the closest place to my hotel, Chifley Suites Auckland. I stay in Deluxe Suites for $130/night. In the early afternoon, after nap we goto to auckland sky tower within 300 meter, only 10minutes walk. Entry Auckland skytower with Auckland multipass, so i dont pay again.
Back to the hotel, i try other way through queens street that known as shopping place. at this way i buy a dinner on kebab on queen. way to the hotel still on the queens street i saw the many fast food restaurant like mcDonalds, wendys, burger king, dunkin donuts and i saw the hotel for backpacker too. Start from $28/night it's suitbale for backpacker traveller.

Route Trip : Ibis budget Auckland airport - Butterfly Creeks - Auckland International Airport - Chiffey Suites Hotel Auckland - Sky Tower - Queens Street - Chiffey Suites Hotel

Cost on 2nd Day
Auckland Multipass 2 Adults $250
Butterfly Creeks ( add for my baby ) $11
Bus Airport To City $32 ( $16/person, under 5 years free )
Auckland Sky Tower $0
Buy Souvenir $100
Dinner Kebab On Queen $15
Dunkin Donuts 6pcs $11,5
Chifley Suites Auckland $130
Total : NZD $549,5

1st Day - Arrive In Auckland Airport

I arrive in Auckland come near to midnight, although it's not the best idea for traveller with baby like us. I choose arrive in auckland at night cause i think the immigration more lonely then morning or evening. Beside that after compare many airline for flight to New Zealand, I choose Malaysia Airlines Morning flight cause have a cheapest price for full service airlines.

New Zealand have a strict supervision at imigration, especially in custom. If you bring milk, meat, fruit, vegetable and it's processed food you must declare in custom. And don't be shocked if it end at trash can. I look other traveller get a little problem cause the banana smell in his bag, although his consume his banana in his flight. I dont have problem in custom, i instruct to my wife dont bring any food to new zealand, dont be afraid cause the 24hour supermarket is not far from the airport.
When i arrive almost all restaurant already closed, luckily i meet convenience store are open 24 hours, 24/7 convenience store located in the internasional terminal arrivals area. You will be spending a lot money if eat in restaurant, so the minimarket can help you. In 24/7 convenience stores you can buy many choice of quick meal that you can heat and using microwave provided.
Still in Airport area you can stay in Novotel Airport, it's suitable for you after  long flight and ofcourse it's will be a amazing hotel who likes aviation world , you can hire room with landing and take off plane. I really need stay in this hotel but the price is too high for me to stay less than 12hour, yah cause tomorrow morning we  must start my journey. For the cheaper hotel i walk in the middle of the night with a low temperature, 30 minutes walk i arrived at the Ibis Budget Hotel also known formule 1 hotel ( maybe is still to high price for the backpacker traveller style, but this is the best choice for family traveller, not too far and not too expensive for stay less than 12 hour ).

When walking from Auckland International Airport to Ibis Budget hotel, through mcdonald and dunkin donuts for other choice after long haul flight. Ibis budget hotel have basic small room but still comfort to catch some sleep and freshen up before the journey start. And the good news, this hotel located across foodtown supermarket , which open 24hours.

After Check in, i go to foodtown supermarket to buy food like rice ( dont forget bring the small rice cooker cause it's the important thing to press your budget ) , bread and jam, juice, instant food, and the most important formula for my baby. I pay  $100 ( In NZD ), but i think is more cheaper than breakfast in restaurant. After shop i back to the hotel for sleep.
Arrive in auckland at midnight maybe not best choice for time eficiency, if you arrive in a day you can immediatelly start your trip, there are many car hired can you find at the airport.

Trip Route : Auckland Internasional Airport - Ibis Budget Auckland - Countdown - Ibis

Cost in Day 1
Mc Donald $40
Ibis Budget Hotel $85
Foodtown $100
Total NZD 225

Flight To New Zealand

As a famous tourist destination, many airlines have flight to new zealand. Although Australia is still like gateway before you go to New Zealand. Many Airlines must transit in many australia city like sydney, brisbane, and merlbourne. If you don't have problem about transit in Australia , you have many flight choice. Ofcourse you can flight with the biggest airline in Australia, Qantas. Or use other airlines like Jetstar, and virgin australia.

But if you need flight without transit in australia, this is information direct flight from other country.

Cathay Pacific, have twice direct flight in a day from hongkong to Auckland. Some flight is codeshare flight with Air NewZealand. Both of them is night flight. Cooperation with Air New Zealand, Cathay have guaranted transfer flight to other city in new zealand, that is Christchurch, Queenstown, Welington, Hamilton, and Dunedin.

Singapore Airlines Have three direct flight from Singapore to New Zaeland. SQ285 Night direct Flight Singapore to Auckland. SQ281 morning direct flight singapore To Auckland and the other SQ297 night direct flight from Singapore to Christchurch. Especial SQ281, no flight on Tuesday and Thursday. Cooperation with AirNewZealand, SQ have guaranteed trasnfer flight from Singapore to Queenstown, welington, palmerston north, dunedin

Malaysia Airlines , have two direct flight From Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Auckland. MH133 Morning flight and MH131 night flight, you can check the schedule for each flight, because there are not everyday flight. The good idea, Malaysia Airlines have the cheapest ticket to New Zealand then other Full Service Airlines.

Connected with other favorit tourist destination, Bangkok. Thai Airways have once night direct flight From Bangkok to Auckland.

Emirates as a airlines who have most destination in the world have 4 direct Flight From Dubai to New Zealand. Three Flight to Auckland and one flight to christchurch. Both of flight To Auckland is day flight. EK412 stopover sydney, EK434 stopover brisbane, EK406 stopover Merlbourne. EK412 and EK416 is Airbus A380 flight. And Flight to Christchurch is morning flight.

Other Airlines have once direct flight to Newzealand is :

- Hawaian Airlines, Direct Flight Honolulu to Auckland

- Korean Airlines, direct flight Seoul to Auckland

- Jetstar as a low Cost Carier Airlines have one cheapest direct flight to Newzealand from singapore

- LAN airlines, direct flight from Santiago, Chile to Auckland

And Last, as a host AirNewZealand have direct Flight to New Zealand from :

London direct flight to Auckland

Los Angeles direct flight to Auckland

San Francisco direct flight to Auckland

Honolulu direct flight to Auckland

Hongkong direct flight to Auckland

Shanghai Pudong direct flight to Auckland

Fiji direct flight to Auckland ( 2x )

Tokyo Narita direct flight to Auckland

Vancouver direct flight to Auckland

And the great idea, AirNew Zealand have Direct flight to New Zealand from other most favorit tourist destination, Bali. Although that not a every day flight.

New Zealand Road Trip

New Zealand, Maybe this is the nearest country with Antartica. As the tourist destination New Zealand is very unique then the other destination. What is that ? The answer is, New Zealand have too many beautiful sightseeing, almost if drive a car you will meet the difference beautiful sightseeing in every turn the road.

illustrated photo from telegraph.co.uk

So, the perfect way if you need enjoy your vacation in new zealand only with the road trip. The road trip route which became favourite for traveller is from north island to south island. Start from Auckland as biggest  city in New Zealand until Queenstown the small city with million magnificence.

Not difficult for road trip in new zealand, there are many car rent can support. you can hire a car and return at other city. For example you hire car in auckland and return in Quuenstown.



Good highway, completely sign instructions, uncrowded highway, number of criminality is very low, and many hotel, motel until free stopover with good facility support your road trip. The most obstacles in your way is you will be many stops, cause take a picture :D .
In this blog i shared my itinerary 40days incredible new zealand road trip. This trip suitable for family, with children. combined many typical of resting place from backpacker base, unique motel, holiday park, until five star motel. As suitable for family, my itinerary also combined many playground for child, shopping center, and also New Zealand beauty scene.