Let us know where the TJs should go...

What I suggest you guys is that you could check out the Auckland Sky tower observation deck to check out the great scenery Auckland has to offer. The sky tower is on the corner of hobson and west street.
For an interesting bar to chill out(literally) would be five below located off of Quay street near the waters edge[Note, everything in the bar is made of ice]...If you want to go hiking, you could hop on a ferry to rangitoto Island and hike up to the top of the Volcano.

Those are good suggestions. In addition to those a good free way to get a good view of Auckland is to go to the top of One Tree Hill. It is a nice a little hike and a great view of the skyline.

Again, great stuff! You know, I had actually come across the Five Below bar during my research (I'm all about the bars...) and I was wondering if the place was actually as cool, pardon the pun, as the concept. Have you been there? What are the prices like? Do you actually catch any locals there?

The viewpoints sound great as well. One Tree Hill sounds especially good because it sounds free.

Thank you thank you thank you. I can't stress enough how much I love the imput from you all. It is what makes this whole experience unique and I hope you all continue to take advantage of it.

Peace,
Tony Martin

Tony-

There's a five below in Queenstown as well. I didn't go becuse it was expensive. If I remember right it was $20 or $30 just to get in and then you only get 2 drinks and can only stay in there for a couple of hours at most. I don't know about the Auckland one, but I am sure the Queenstown one is all tourists, but that is what Queenstown is. World Bar in Queenstown is a cheaper fun choice full of young backpackers if you want a change from Winnie's.

Clay

quote:

Originally posted by tonystake:
Again, great stuff! You know, I had actually come across the Five Below bar during my research (I'm all about the bars...) and I was wondering if the place was actually as cool, pardon the pun, as the concept. Have you been there? What are the prices like? Do you actually catch any locals there?

The viewpoints sound great as well. One Tree Hill sounds especially good because it sounds free.

Thank you thank you thank you. I can't stress enough how much I love the imput from you all. It is what makes this whole experience unique and I hope you all continue to take advantage of it.

Peace,
Tony Martin

My sister went to the 5 below bar when she lived in Auckland last year. I've heard that the total time you're allowed in that bar is 30 minutes(reasons is to keep the ice melting due to body heat).I believe you have to pay to rent a coat ect...
If that doesn't work out...you can check out Hell's pizza on Quay street,the prices for the pizza range from NZ$7 - NZ$13. The pizza is good plus you can build it anyway you want... Both the bar and Hell's pizza is right by the ferries to take you to Rangitoto Island.

quote:

Originally posted by rustedempire:

quote:

Originally posted by tonystake:
Again, great stuff! You know, I had actually come across the Five Below bar during my research (I'm all about the bars...) and I was wondering if the place was actually as cool, pardon the pun, as the concept. Have you been there? What are the prices like? Do you actually catch any locals there?

The viewpoints sound great as well. One Tree Hill sounds especially good because it sounds free.

Thank you thank you thank you. I can't stress enough how much I love the imput from you all. It is what makes this whole experience unique and I hope you all continue to take advantage of it.

Peace,
Tony Martin

My sister went to the 5 below bar when she lived in Auckland last year. I've heard that the total time you're allowed in that bar is 30 minutes(reasons is to keep the ice melting due to body heat).I believe you have to pay to rent a coat ect...
If that doesn't work out...you can check out Hell's pizza on Quay street,the prices for the pizza range from NZ$7 - NZ$13. The pizza is good plus you can build it anyway you want... Both the bar and Hell's pizza is right by the ferries to take you to Rangitoto Island.

Now the bar sounds a little bit weird. I am a bartender... WHOA! GET OUT THE ALARM! Becuase of the Travel Channel, I WAS A BARTENDER (I am a travel journalist now)! Okay, so as a bartender, spending 30 minutes in a bar sounds ridiculous. I like bars because they are bars, not because they are novelties. Spending only 30 minutes in a bar sounds more like a tourist novelity than a local hangout. Now, Hell's Pizza, on the other hand, sounds like a good deal. I could actually go for a slice of pizza now.


I can't express how happy it makes me that someone here is actually talking back to me. You guys and gals keep up the good work. You are really making all the difference in this trip as you are sending us to the places we would never find on our own. Thanks again.

Peace,
Tony Martin (tonystake)

I'm with Tony these tips are awsome!
I also think the half hour in bar thing sounds a bit odd. Might skip that. Pizza sounds tasty!

Any tips on some cool local music spots?

If we got souvenirs of "shaved ice" in a million different flavors... NOW THAT WOULD BE A BAR.

So once we're done with pizza and beer...do you think it'd be a good idea to do something wholesome? Maybe a stroll through Connells Bay Sculpture Park? Apparently it's full of majestic New Zealand sculptures. Boys? Now we're talkin.

quote:

Originally posted by tiffstake:
If we got souvenirs of "shaved ice" in a million different flavors... NOW THAT WOULD BE A BAR.

So once we're done with pizza and beer...do you think it'd be a good idea to do something wholesome? Maybe a stroll through Connells Bay Sculpture Park? Apparently it's full of majestic New Zealand sculptures. Boys? Now we're talkin.

What's not wholesome and majestic about pizza and beer! I mean, how much better does life get? I bet your scultpures don't taste as good as beer!

I'm with rustedempire with Hell's Pizza. There is one in Christchurch as well. It is worth it to just check it out. It's a fun place. The pizza is fantastic as well.

I don't recall how far Roturua is from Auckland--I think it took us a few hours by bus. It's a neat place though, with all the hot springs and nice little shops, right on the water.

Definately go to the seafood market! The seafood is amazing and if you can't cook, there are many restaurants within it. The seafood is so fresh and you can get it grilled right when you buy it and eat it there. Also, for really good mussels, go to Blankenberge, a belgium restaurant bar located in north shore, milford. You can order a bucket of them in white wine sauce for only about $16. About 2 hours north of Auckland on the way to Whangarei go crab fishing at the beaches and you'll get a lot of a little crabs that taste wonderful when steamed. And you can find hellfish right in the ocean. Also, for some of the best chinese food in town, visit North Sea Village for dimsun. it's located in albany, a bit north of the city. For ice cream definately hit Movenpick, located near mission bay. As always, the kiwifruit is very fresh and way better than here in the states.

If you're spending time in the North Island, be sure to hit Waitomo and do some caving. A little on the $$ side but well worth it.
http://www.waitomo.co.nz

Another great spot is Waiheke Island, about a 30 minute boat ride from downtown Auckland. Great hiking and spectacular views. You'll think you're on the Med. Pay the extra $40NZ and go on the vineyard tour. They take you to three different places. Splurge and get a bottle of the Stonyridge Larose!

What makes Auckland unique is not only it's beautiful scenery but it's amazing mix of Pacific cultures. I suggest you check out the Pacific Islands'-style "OTARA MARKET," in south Auckland (Otara). Only open on Saturday mornings until noon, the market is hosted mostly by the local Pasifik communities and is definately the best place to find souvineers for the budget traveller.
Another great spot in Auckland is Piha Beach, out in west Auckland. It's a bit of a local surfers' spot and just breathtaking! Located at the bottom of big, windy "bush"-covered hills, it's a great spot if you just want to relax and maybe take a hike up around its vistas.

Really, though..I really suggest exploring the north island beyond it's cities! My fav places are either the northlands (Bay of Islands are great; body-boarding down the huge sand dunes of 90-mile beach is amazing! and included on many tours) or the beautiful East Cape region (scenery and lifestyle like in the Whalerider). If you want to gain an understanding of the indigenous Maori culture of NZ (a must!), this is probably the best place to experience it. Maraes dot the landscape and horse-back riding is still a common mode of transportation. It's a bit out of the way, but definately well worth it!

Was in Auckland last year. Don't know if you remember what I said on our other website, Tony but my first impression...land of Burger Kings and McDonalds. I thought it was nice there, but not a lot to do...but then I'm old and no longer party...lol I did enjoy going up in the tower, but it cost too much money. We also traveled to Rotorua to see the geothermal wonders and to let my husband get in touch with his Polynesian roots at a Maori culture center...very cool!

HOWEVER if the Big Cheese is going to let you win a cool challenge....how about one of those jet boats rides? WHOO HOO!!!

quote:

Originally posted by mod_ben:
Let us know where the TJs should go...

Hey guys, so I was just in new zealand a month ago and I think it would be awesome if you guys checked out the surf scene at Piha Beach just outside of aukland... its beautiful and it is home of Lion Rock and The Foo Fighters claim it's their favorite place in the entire world!

Okay...so I'm retarded and didn't catch the episode earlier tonite when you ate the nasty veggimite samich...my bad...BUT! Since I've never been to New Zealand...I can tell you nothing about where to go, however, perhaps you could try a searching for up and coming bands in New Zealand online and then catch a show or talk to the members.
Can't wait to see you in foco...
Love,
Tambyr