Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Auckland, advice & updates, please

Hi, a couple of questions for a local,

(1) the tourist bus drops at the University, a short walk from the Hyatt, for a newbie, is there a landmark to look for near the bus stop, as I have in mind the University could be a sprawling mass:)
(2) Is the Hyatt as run down as reviews state, or is it that old cosy comfy feel?
(3) entry/exit tax, is it within the ticket, if not how much and where?
(4) on the weekends, any good areas, markets, people watching coffee spots. I am happy with the weekend papers, late breakfast/brunch and sit for an age in the sun.
(5) it's either this weekend or next, any live shows or entertainers I could see? I imagine exes and relies will either monopolize me or shun me, any FF's who will share a wine bottle in town/hyatt in case it's either and I need saving?
(6) is the TG lounge open early at the airport
(7) airport or city for currency or is it the same
regards and thanks, bkkrop

... (3) entry/exit tax, is it within the ticket, if not how much and where? ...NZD13 is charged for both arrivals and departures using AKL - NZD26 total. This is now paid when purchasing your ticket (included in the +++).

The airbus (www.airbus.co.nz) route no longer passes near the Hyatt. For airport to city, nearest stops are at the top of University (just before Wellesley Street) or near the bottom of Queen Street. If getting out at University stop, then continue down Symonds Street for 2 blocks then left into Waterloo Quadrant, Hyatt is on the right 2 short blocks along. Alternatively get out at Langham Hotel and catch a midtown bus from there (50c fare). There is a local bus stop in front of Hyatt.

For city to airport the nearest stop is near the bottom of Queen Street. Alternatively catch a local bus from the stop to the left of the Hyatt on Waterloo Quadrant and get out at the stop just past the motorway bridge. There is an airbus stop there.

Arrival and departure fee (NZ$13 each) from AKL is collected at ticketing. If you leave NZ from another airport, a NZ$25 departure fee is collected at the airport (and no arrival fee anywhere other than AKL).

Assuming you want somewhere central. There are markets at Aotea Square and a farmers market at Britomart (above the main train station, near the Downtown bus stops). Other people watching at Viaduct Harbour (lunch and later), or catch a ferry over to Devonport (5 minutes ride away) and sit outside at any of the many cafes over there.

I'm not sure if it helps you, but it may help other readers. There is now free bus and inner ferry services for seniors, from 9am weekdays and all day weekends and public holidays. Airbus, nite bus and special services (eg buses put on for major rugby games) are excluded.

Not sure what is on at the moment. Perhaps a search online?

TG uses the nice NZ lounge which is open all day. Your main constraint will be check in for TG opens approx 3 hours before departure.

Currency exchange at the airport is a ripoff (Travelex).

or catch a ferry over to Devonport (5 minutes ride away) and sit outside at any of the many cafes over there.

Thanks KiwiFlyer for some great ideas....
Sounds like the place for me, there's a chocolate manufacturer over there I would love to meet and I am told there's some old hotels along the beach. Since I made a decision to go, QF have rid their site of all direct flights and now offer me via Canberra, Brisbane then Sydney:mad: such is life
regards bkkrop

There's a lot of good brunch places in Auckland at the moment and having been in north america for the last few weeks can confirm that Auckland coffee is much much better!

Some of my favourites are:

Altar Cafe in Mt Eden (try the Corn Beef Hash)
Market Kitchen in Newmarket (just behind the Olympic Pool and has a nice outdoor area if it's sunny)
Olive also in Newmarket but down the Nuffield St end (by 277), has very good coffee and a great Big Breakfast

If you're staying at the Hyatt walk upto the Link bus stop next to the University Library and ask to goto Newmarket, it's only about 10mins on the bus and you don't need exact change

... Since I made a decision to go, QF have rid their site of all direct flights and now offer me via Canberra, Brisbane then Sydney:mad: such is life
regards bkkrop:confused:

I'm travelling to from AKL a couple of times of the next month and all my flights are direct betwixt MEL and AKL ... with plenty of discount availability ...

Are you referring to awards?

:confused:

I'm travelling to from AKL a couple of times of the next month and all my flights are direct betwixt MEL and AKL ... with plenty of discount availability ...

Are you referring to awards?

Yes, I am.
I wanted to do what the big boys do with their mattress runs to achieve top shelf Hyatt recognition. hyatt were/are offering a free night with every two stays, then switched, if I read it all correctly to every stay counts double. So the light bulb switches on, become a Diamond, upgrade to suites and club floors for 12 months at normal rates, I can live with that.

The idea was awards to AKL, then in/out/in/out @ Hyatt a couple of times at AU$148 all up, but it went all pear shaped when QF offered AKL via Canberra Sydney and Brisbane, mind you at only 28800 which I thought was fair, but the arrival at 01.00 was the final straw.
I was still tempted to go as three people contacted me who I would have loved to pass the time with, but my cranky disposition after late arrivals was the main factor in forgetting the whole exercise, till the next brainwave. regards bkkrop

... Are you referring to awards?I can see X1 Fri 21st Nov QF25, and X9 QF26 Sun 23rd ...