Air New Zealand Air Points - AKL: 5 hour layover with 3 yr old

Hi all

Hoping for some suggestions from anyone familiar with AKL.

We have approximately 5 hours (in from HKG at 1115 on NZ86, then out to BNE at 1610 on NZ137). We are also travelling with our nearly 3 year old, who is not likely to happily sit in the Koru Club lounge at AKL for that length of time.

Any ideas or thoughts on what we could do in AKL to while away the time?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.


Edit: in case anyone is wondering why we are flying HKG-AKL-BNE it is because this is part of a CCASTAR1 fare, and we must have a North Asia - SWPac crossing in the routing.

Long hearty walk followed by a warm bottle/washcloth and a nap in a quiet corner?

Go to the observation deck where you can have a clear view of the runway.

5 hours isn't long to get away from the airport, which is a good 30-40 mins drive from the CBD (depending on traffic - I did it in 17 minutes once)., but if you want to get away there are some things you can do.

The closest area to the airport is Manukau (about a 5-10 minute drive). There is a large (for NZ!) shopping mall, movie theatres and a theme park called Rainbows End. There is also a cool mini-golf course close to the airport.

If you are happy to spend more time in the car, you could consider coming into the city and maybe going to the museum (free, and very cool), or going to Kelly Tarlton's, which is an underwater aquarium and antartic exhibit with penguins etc.

Hope this helps, and have fun in your time here.

Grant

I transit AKL with my three year old every few months.

The secret is really simple. Buy a handheld personal DVD player for about $200 and let him or her watch his favourite cartoons in the back room of the lounge. It works beautifully.