Auckland port profile

  
Lunching
Downtown -- Casual Dining: Head over to the Viaduct for a whole range of restaurants including Degree Gastrobar (204 Quay Street) and Soul Bar. We loved the Belgian-influenced Occidental Cafe (3 O'Connell Street), a great place for a pint and a bowl of steamed mussels.

Downtown -- Big Night (or Day) Out: Harbourside specializes in seafood and even better it offers the finest harbor views, via its second-floor outdoor deck; definitely try to snag one of those tables on a nice day (or night). Locals unanimously recommended the French Cafe (210 Symonds Street) though, alas, we didn't get there. Don't miss out on the steamed mussels (and a great local wine list) at the O'Connell Street Bistro.

The Neighborhoods: In Ponsonby, you really can just stroll up and down the main drag and pick an eatery based on your mood (they come in all shapes and sizes); we enjoyed Prego (226 Ponsonby Road) for its wood-fired pizzas. Options also include Malyasian, Thai, Japanese, regional New Zealand, French, Italian, and on and on. The restaurants are pretty much clustered in the 100 - 200 blocks of Ponsonby Road. Nightclubbers: There's a lot of action here after dinner as well.

Waiheke Island: Take a cab from the ferry dock to the aforementioned Te Whau (reserve before you leave home). VinoVino Restaurant and Bar, (3/153 Ocean View Road) is the only place in the town of Oneroa that offers scenic waterfront dining.

Accommodations
Best Value for Money: Housed in one of Auckland's historic buildings -- the former Farmers Department Store -- the Heritage Auckland offers a great value. It's comprised of two buildings: the old one, which was restored in 1998, and a newer addition (in the latter, rooms come with balconies). Ask for a harbor view -- and a room with a balcony. What we loved about this place was all the services: two pools (one outdoor rooftop pool had awesome views of the harbor and city), restaurants, kitchenette and bathrooms with washer/dryers!

Most Cruise Ship-esque: At first glance, the Auckland Hilton looks like something out of Greece's Santorini -- with sharp contemporary edges and so sleekly white that the water of the harbor almost reflects on its exterior. Built right up against the cruise ship dock (views could be hampered if a big vessel was actually in port), we loved the feeling, while standing on our balcony, of being surrounded by the sea. Just like cruising! The hotel is very contemporary inside, a real hipsters' place, with a highly acclaimed (though somewhat pretentious) restaurant and a fabulous bar.

Most Intriguing Boutique Hotel: Mollie's is a small, 16-suite hotel in a restored Victorian mansion that's as luxurious as it is eccentric. It overlooks Waitemata Harbour.

Staying in Touch
Internet access is available at the New Zealand i-SITE Visitor Information Centre (137 Quay Street, Princes Wharf) and Citinet Cybercafe (Shop 4, 115 Queen Street).

For More Information

On the Web: Tourism New Zealand
Cruise Critic Message Boards:   Australia and New Zealand
The Independent Traveler Message Boards:   New Zealand

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