This is my first foray into the LR, fascinating place. (I have been on ST for almost 4 years now and this is the first time I have even looked in the LR - it appears I have been missing out).
So. I am heading down to New Zealand for 2 weeks starting mid-October. My brother and I will be arriving in Auckland early on Friday, Oct. 21st. We have tickets to the World Cup 3/4 match on Friday night. Our plan is to pick up our camper van at the Airport when we arrive, look around Auckland a bit, and then get ready for the match (drink). But we are having a really hard time trying to figure out where to park the van, pre-game (drink), and walk to the stadium. We are not going to be moving the van after the game, so it needs to be somewhere that we can wander back to after the match and stay there for the night. Any advice? Where is going to be the “place to be” before and after the matches?
The place to be is Viaduct Harbour on the waterfront. Quite the hopping place nearly every night there are games. It’s the CBD, though, so parking, especially for a campervan, is tough. There is some street parking and I see a lot of campervans parked down there now, but you need to find a reasonably secure spot. The closer to the crowds the better. So anything you can find from Quay St. to Victoria St. and Hobson to Queen will probably be ok (??).
My advice would be to park outside this pub: thepaddington.co.nz
It’s not too far…maybe 20 min walk…or you can cab it from there to Viaduct Harbour for the pre-party (less than $15). Do the “Fan Walk” to Eden Park. Walk or train or bus back to Viaduct for the post party. Then cab it back to your “home”.
Have fun. Bring lots of $$…this is the most expensive city I’ve ever visited. PM me if you need more info.
Pretty solid rec above IMO. Party in the CBD/Viaduct/Quay St zone then do the fan walk to/from the game. You’ll be on your feet for hours, but you’ll have lots of company (of the drunk, jovial, and highly entertaining kind) on the way.