Rugby pubs (and other attractions) in New Zealand

Me and the missus are going to be in Auckland for the Scotland V England game but haven't managed to get tickets. Can anyone recommend a decent boozer to watch the game with good banter and decent screens? Will there be a fan park or something showing the game? Would we be better going somewhere near the stadium or is the city centre the best shout?

Due to the discussion that has been going on in this post I have changed to title to include the whole of New Zealand - so if anyone would like so information for a place they are going then post it on here and we will see what people come up with!


Edit - KRD,
Feel free to post details of restaurants and other things to do/see too - we don't want our guests to believe we think they're only interested in drinking afterall

Hey RDW_Scotland,

You are looking for an area called The Cloud. It is a big marquee down on the waterfront which holds about 7,000 people. Just ask anyone there for the ferry terminal its right beside that.

All all the waterfront there are good bars who will no doubt be showing the rugby.

All the best

Trev

Thanks Trev - what exactly is going to be in the Cloud? Tried a google search but there doesn't seem to be much specific info other than a few general things about somewhere for New Zealanders and tourists alike!

how about Wellington when Wales play Springboks?

There is a Welsh pub in wellington. It used to be the public toilets in the middle of the road but it is a nice wee bar. I watched the AI's about 6 years ago in it but it was still there in 2009 when i went back. It is very near the YHA Hostel and the main cinema in Wellington if memory serves

Here have a read of this:

http://www.auckland2011.com/News/News-2010/News---August/Fan-Zones-span-Auckland-for-RWC-2011.aspx

Its the one at Queens Wharf your looking for. Basically its a place for fans to watch the game, have a beer and enjoy the craic.

Any problems drop me a private message.

Trev

RE: Wellington, there another one down by Taranaki Street Wharf. I don't know why you'd bother with a bar when there's this kind of thing on offer.

cheers Trev.

RDW Scotland
For a place to watch the game if you dont get tickets but want feel the "ambience" of the occasion,might I suggest the Kingslander it is about 3 minutes walk from the Kingsland railway station, which in turn is about 3 minutes walk the other way from Eden Park,Dont even try driving or using a taxi.
The Kingslander is a pub, two levels,LED screens on most walls.and banter by the wheelbarrow load.
Tickets are still available....

On the 6th October I will be flying to NZ, returning on the 25th October, I will be flying into the South Island for the first week and flying to Auckland for both Semi's and the final. I will be travelling around with 5 of my best mates sampling all that is good about both the north and south islands. Our 'leader' is our token Kiwi (Christchurch native) who has put together a pretty solid itinerary for the first week. However by his own admission his knowledge of the North island is limited. Any suggestions on things to do in the north island? I need to fit in as much as i can to justify this trip to myself and my wife (of 2 weeks).

Thanks Laurie - and yes there are tickets still available but cost around 160 quid each and, having already near bankrupted myself to get to NZ, I definitely can't afford that!

kingjohn7 wrote:how about Wellington when Wales play Springboks?

King John - The WELSH DRAGON BAR

http://wotzon.com/profilepage.php?comp_id=1001893

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/New_Zealand/North_Island/Wellington_Region/Wellington-1881109/Nightlife-Wellington-Welsh_Dragon_Bar-BR-1.html

we'll probably be in there before walking out to the 'Cake Tin' for South Africa v Wales



We are over in the South Island when Wales take on Samoa. Anybody recommend a bar in QUEENSTOWN ?

You're the boss Kiwi - started out as one man's quest for a decent Boozer in Auckland and it has turned into a travel guide for us tourists, quite happy with that!

Thanks Kiwi, I'll look to you for the Dunedin and Queenstown info. Any North Islanders with any info.

I'm sorted for Auckland (staying with friends) and Wellington

I need info on

16/09 - DUNEDIN

(to watch New Zealand v Japan on TV)

18/09 - QUEENSTOWN

(To watch WALES v Namibia on SKY TV

24/09 - MARTINBOROUGH

(to watch England v ROMANIA on SKY TV)

(to watch New Zealand v France on TV )

26/09 - NEW PLYMOUTH

(Needs to be near ground WALES v Namibia - pre-match drinks)

02/10 - HAMILTON

(Needs to be near ground to watch New Zealand v Canada on TV ,walk to WALES v Fiji, then nip back to watch Ireland v Italy on SKY TV)

Thanks in advance

Hello Franklin,

There are bundles of stuff to do on North Island especially around Auckland Tuapo and Roturua.

Helicopter trips (look for a company called Heliworks who do a great Lord of the Rings trip), jet boating and rafting, Huka falls, off road driving.

There is literally so much stuff on North Island.

i think we're going to try and drink some wine, sit in hot springs, and play a bit of golf. we're definatley in Roturua and Tuapo and i think Mt Manganui

FranklinTempleton wrote:On the 6th October I will be flying to NZ, returning on the 25th October, I will be flying into the South Island for the first week and flying to Auckland for both Semi's and the final. I will be travelling around with 5 of my best mates sampling all that is good about both the north and south islands. Our 'leader' is our token Kiwi (Christchurch native) who has put together a pretty solid itinerary for the first week. However by his own admission his knowledge of the North island is limited. Any suggestions on things to do in the north island? I need to fit in as much as i can to justify this trip to myself and my wife (of 2 weeks).

Depends which parts you will be going to but here's some in North Island (list South to North)

WELLINGTON

Weta Studios (Lord of the Rings) - http://www.wetanz.com/ & http://www.wetanz.com/cave/

National Museum (Te Papa) - http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/pages/default.aspx

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary - http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/

MARTINBOROUGH

Vineyards - http://www.martinboroughnz.com/?cat=28

PALMERSTON NORTH

NZ Rugby Museum - http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/

W(H)ANGANUI

Festival of Glass - www.wanganuiglass.co.nz/

NEW PLYMOUTH

Taranaki International Village - http://www.nz2011.govt.nz/experiencerealnz/events/216-taranaki-international-village

Pritutu Rock - http://www.roughguides.com/travel/oceania/new-zealand/western-north-island/taranaki/new-plymouth/paritutu-rock.aspx

TAUPO (& around)

Craters of the Moon - www.cratersofthemoon.co.nz/

Huka Falls - http://www.hukafallsjet.com/page/5-Home or http://www.hukafallscruise.co.nz/

Orakei Thermals - http://www.orakeikorako.co.nz/

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Day Trek) - www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/

HAMILTON

Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings) - http://www.hobbitontours.com/ (Check though, they are due to start filming The Hobbit at the start of October)

Waitomo Caves (Glow Worms) - http://www.waitomo.com/

AUCKLAND (& North)

Waiheke Island - http://www.waiheke.co.nz/

90 Mile Beach - http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/ninety-mile-beach/

Cape Reinga - http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/cape-reinga-northland/

Spirits Bay (Sacred Maori site) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirits_Bay

Thanks for the info Pete - I asked for these kind of suggestions on 606 when I booked the flights (6 months ago) but now that it is closer to the time I can actually consider doing some of them!

For those heading to Queenstown, I dropped a note to a friend who lives there (it's 7 years since I was last down that way)

First choice would be 'Pub-on-wharf', location is self explanatory. Otherwise Harry's Pool Bar, up the hill near Lone Star- 8 Brecon Street, Queenstown.

I vaguely remember having a pretty good night out at Harry's in around 2002.

A couple of friends the other day recommended Fergburger, it's like a much-improved GBK. And it's close to Harry's Pool Bar. Penfro the vegetarian options look pretty good there too - just be sure to tell them to hold the tomato

Kiwireddevil wrote: just be sure to tell them to hold the tomato

Nah - I'll save it to give to Huggy as a forfeit

Following on,

Christchurch:
It's munted. Avoid.

More seriously, Christchurch's international airport is fully operational. So a fair few people will be flying into there.

Most of the large hotels in the central city are still closed. The western (airport) side of town was least affected by the earthquakes though, and accommodation wise the airport hotels are still active and there are lots of motels around Riccarton Road.

All of the central city pubs and clubs were earthquake casualties, though most suburban pubs will be showing games. The Fox and Ferret, attached to Westfield Riccarton Mall is worth a look, and there are some reasonable mid-range restaurants around it. There are 2 or 3 Speights Ale Houses* that are great for rugby watching too - I like the Tower Junction one in Addington.

North of Christchurch on State Highway 1** Pukeko Junction is worth a stop. And there are a number of wineries in the Waipara Valley that do free tastings. A detour off SH1 to the Hanmer Springs thermal spa is also rewarding, especially if there's a late snow in September - sitting in hot pools surrounded by snow is kind of fun.

*I'm not sure if the Bealey Avenue one owned by 1970's All Black Tane Norton is open.
** State Highway 1 runs the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff - around 1000 miles. Much of isn't even dual carriageway though, and there's even a couple of 1-lane bridges on it still.

The World Bar in Queenstown is good fun, I would recommend a trip there, not too far to stagger to fergburger after either for probably the best burger you're going to ever eat. (A big claim I know!) The whole place is a bit of a tourist trap though I think.

Sorry kiwi I see I'm doubling up on your post!

Wasn't there during rugby season but I do remember Speights Alehouse (owned by the brewery) in Queenstown had loads of big screens. Remmber watching the Black Caps wallop the Aussies in a one day cricket match when on a trek stopover in Queenstown four years ago. Given the number of boozers in Queenstown and the number of tourists, I'd imagine they're be no problem finding places to watch RWC games.

Anyone in Wanaka (for me the most beautiful town in NZ) should head to the Irish pub on the street that runs parallel to the lakeshore. Sorry can't be more specific but Wanaka ain't very big so it'll be easy to find.

KIWI - we are in the Northcote / Papanui, north of the 'Four Avenues' for 2 nights. We're calling into Waipara on the way down from Kaikoura. We had been thinking of doing a bit of punting at Mona Vale, then heading into the North Hagley Park for the 'Fan Zone'. Riccarton isn't far from there is it ? So I guess that's a runner.. Is the CBD still basically a no go zone ? Thanks for the info mucker

No worries Bathman. And you're not wrong about it being a tourist trap.

The permanent population of the Wakatipu Basin (Queenstown and surrounds) is around 15,000 people. Yet they regularly sold 14,000 tickets to one day cricket matches on New Year's Eve. And that's outside of ski-season! Admittedly the ground is possibly the most picturesque in international cricket, snowcapped mountains on all sides.

brennomac wrote: Anyone in Wanaka (for me the most beautiful town in NZ) should head to the Irish pub on the street that runs parallel to the lakeshore. Sorry can't be more specific but Wanaka ain't very big so it'll be easy to find.

Brenno - would that be Slainte Irish Bar, on Helwick Street ?

PenfroPete wrote:KIWI - we are in the Northcote / Papanui, north of the 'Four Avenues' for 2 nights. We're calling into Waipara on the way down from Kaikoura. We had been thinking of doing a bit of punting at Mona Vale, then heading into the North Hagley Park for the 'Fan Zone'. Riccarton isn't far from there is it ? So I guess that's a runner.. Is the CBD still basically a no go zone ? Thanks for the info mucker

Penfro, the CBD is still largely no-go, the outskirts have been opened, but most of the buildings have been cleared. Riccarton Road runs West from Hagley Park (it joins Riccarton Avenue which divides North and South Hagley Parks). I understand the Mona Vale homestead was quite badly damaged (and their website says the restaurant is still closed). I found this about punting as of 11 June:

Punting on the Avon, christchurch - Open
Open 10am – 4pm, 7 days a week. Operating from the Antigua Boat Sheds, 2 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch
To book call 03 366 0337 or email info@punting.co.nz

The Antigua (Chchers pronounce it An-tigg-you-a for some unknown reason) Street Boatsheds are on the SW corner of the CBD so they probably are running North-West up the Avon towards Mona Vale.

There are quite a few pubs open around Papanui, though some are a bit rough. I just checked and the Bealey Ave (just north of the CBD and east of Hagley Park) Speights Ale House is open (the building I used to work in across the road from it is being demolished - it stayed up but the ends fell off) so that might be worth a look - it'd be a $10-$20 10 minute cab ride back to Papanui.

- definitely some for you when we get back.

Penfro - Slainte Irish bar in Wanaka - that's the one. Bit of an ersatz Irish bar (aren't they all) but beer is good, people friendly, lots of TV's for sports. For those not been there before, Wanaka is a more laid back version of Queenstown. Has all the same adventure stuff as Queenstown but not as frenetic as Queenstown party central. I personally much preferred Wanaka (was there in a February so it was summer season) but in September the ski stations at Cardrona and Treble Cone should still be open mand be plenty of activity.

Does your jaunt to NZ mean that us 606 folk are going to have to do without your essential rugby TV listings????? Sounds like a fantastic trip - enjoy.

brennomac wrote: Does your jaunt to NZ mean that us 606 folk are going to have to do without your essential rugby TV listings????? Sounds like a fantastic trip - enjoy.

I'll try and pull together as much info regarding the actual scheduling & officials as possible before we go, then I'll ask RugbyDreamer, Kiwi or one of the other 'mods' to edit it as the RWC goes along with links to previews, articles ....etc

Thanks for this sticky. Going to nz in a week and am pretty ill prepared. Was going to follow Wales around and they playing all in the North Island so was planning on just staying there. Do you guys think its worth while visiting the South Island?

kingjohn7 wrote:Thanks for this sticky. Going to nz in a week and am pretty ill prepared. Was going to follow Wales around and they playing all in the North Island so was planning on just staying there. Do you guys think its worth while visiting the South Island?

The South is much better than the North.

Though I may be biased

Joking aside, the scenery etc is much better down South.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

kingjohn7 wrote:Thanks for this sticky. Going to nz in a week and am pretty ill prepared. Was going to follow Wales around and they playing all in the North Island so was planning on just staying there. Do you guys think its worth while visiting the South Island?

The South is much better than the North.

Though I may be biased

Joking aside, the scenery etc is much better down South.

KingJohn - we are missing the Samoa game to go to the South Island. I'll post highlights tomorrow

KINGJOHN - South Island Stuff (just a very small list of the amazing things)

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS & PICTON

Queen CHarlotte Track (Walking) - http://www.qctrack.co.nz/

Blenheim & Renwick (Wine) - http://www.travelpod.co.uk/travel-blog-entries/anna_liam/1/1281980480/tpod.html

KAIKOURA

Whale Watching - http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/

CHRISTCHURCH

Punting on the Avon - http://www.punting.co.nz/

DUNEDIN & OTAGO

Lake Tekapo - http://www.tekapotourism.co.nz/

Mount Cook - http://www.mtcooknz.com/

Omamuru(Penguins) - http://www.penguins.co.nz/

Albatross Colony http://www.albatross.org.nz/

Lanark Castle - http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/index.pasp

Otago Peninsular - http://otago-peninsula.co.nz/

Forsyth Barr stadium - www.forsythbarrstadium.co.nz/

MILFORD SOUND

Day cruise - http://milford-sound.co.nz/

QUEENSTOWN & around

Loads (Jet Boat, bungy ...etc) - http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/

Arrowton (old Gold mining) - http://www.arrowtown.com/

WANAKA

Loads - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/

FOX GLACIER

Glacier Walking - http://www.foxguides.co.nz/

NELSON & around

http://www.nelsonnz.com/

Abel Tasman National Park - http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/ and http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/abel-tasman-coast-track/

Thats a pretty good list Pete! KingJohn, if you're over there you really ought to go to the South Island, Milford Sound and Abel Tasman in particular are some of the most stunning places youre likely to see.

The Speights brewery in Dunedin is worth a visit too I thought, if you like beer of course...

I want to go back now having looked at these. What a fantastic country. I was there last year and I love it!

I highly recommend the Taupo sky diving, the Roturoa rafting (down the big waterfall) and also visiting the Coromandel - the most beautiful place I can think of.

im so excited i think im going to wet myself. thanks for those suggestions Scream they sound brilliant. im going to live on bread and water from now on to save money for rafting and skydiving, im glad i dont have a credit card.

Further to the chat about the Red Zone (no-go areas in the Chch CBD) here's the latest map. .

Penfro, the blog you posted on Renwick and Blenheim is great, it covered a lot of places I was going to mention. For those who're fond of sauvignon blanc, a loop from Woodbourne Airport turning right (East) into Middle Renwick Rd, then left (North) into Jacksons Rd, left again at Rapaura Rd, and left at State Highway 6 to go into Renwick (my home town ) would cover a lot of vineyards and restaurants. Take a sober driver though. In New Zealand the drink-drive laws are very strict, and the police do have the right to randomly stop and breathalyse drivers.

On Jackson's Rd there's Cloudy Bay and Allan Scott - both superb wineries, with good restaurants, and Gibbs (haven't been there, though Gibbs himself is a friend of my Dad's).

Rapaura Rd has quite a number of wineries, starting from the Vines Village (there's also the Prenzels distillery shop there) and Marlborough Vinters opposite, running on down to Nautilus, Clifford Bay (who have a pretty good restaurant) and Wairau River. SH6 plays host to Forrest Estate (back when Dr Forrest started winemaking locals thought we were losing a good GP, but he's reinvented himself as a winemaking guru) and Framinghams (good dessert wines). In Renwick proper the Cork and Keg pub on the corner of High St and Inkermann St offers a respite to those missing UK pubs. The other pub in town is the Woodbourne Tavern which will be showing rugby, but tends to be patronised by forestry and vineyard workers so it's a bit rough.

Woodbourne Airport is a 20 minute (it's about 30-40 miles in a straight line!) flight across Cook Strait from Wellington. There are also flights in from Christchurch and Auckland. Alternately the Cook Strait ferry takes a scenic 3 hours from Wellington to Picton, running through Queen Charlotte Sound (and it carries cars).It's about 40-50 minutes drive from Picton to Blenheim. Picton itself is a bit of a tourist trap so unless you're off to the Sounds I wouldn't tarry.

Blenheim's better pubs are around Scott St, though the Grove Tavern on the way into town from Picton is owned by ex-AB Leon MacDonald and is also worth a look. Aside from wine there's not much else to see, Brayshaw Park historic park has a reconstruction of the original settlement town and enough vintage farm machinery to bore 1000 children . The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is worth a look though. Weta Workshops (the Lord of the Rings FX team) have built a pretty good collection of WWI aviation scenes - think Biggles meets Madame Tussaud.

PenfroPete wrote:KINGJOHN - South Island Stuff (just a very small list of the amazing things)

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS & PICTON

Queen CHarlotte Track (Walking) - http://www.qctrack.co.nz/

Blenheim & Renwick (Wine) - http://www.travelpod.co.uk/travel-blog-entries/anna_liam/1/1281980480/tpod.html

KAIKOURA

Whale Watching - http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/

CHRISTCHURCH

Punting on the Avon - http://www.punting.co.nz/

DUNEDIN & OTAGO

Lake Tekapo - http://www.tekapotourism.co.nz/

Mount Cook - http://www.mtcooknz.com/

Omamuru(Penguins) - http://www.penguins.co.nz/

Albatross Colony http://www.albatross.org.nz/

Lanark Castle - http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/index.pasp

Otago Peninsular - http://otago-peninsula.co.nz/

Forsyth Barr stadium - www.forsythbarrstadium.co.nz/

MILFORD SOUND

Day cruise - http://milford-sound.co.nz/

QUEENSTOWN & around

Loads (Jet Boat, bungy ...etc) - http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/

Arrowton (old Gold mining) - http://www.arrowtown.com/

WANAKA

Loads - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/

FOX GLACIER

Glacier Walking - http://www.foxguides.co.nz/

NELSON & around

http://www.nelsonnz.com/

Abel Tasman National Park - http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/ and http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/abel-tasman-coast-track/

I noticed that a few posters made reference to hiking (or tramping as the Kiwis call it) when they're on their world cup trip. A note of warning, September is still winter in NZ (all the ski stations will still be open) and most of the mountain tracks maintained by Dept of Conservation (DOC) are going to be closed - all the great routes in the South Island - Milford Track, Routeburn Track etc defo closed. Abel Tasman is a coastal track so probably will be open. On north island, would expect Tongariro Crossing also to be closed - all of these tracks will still be under snow apart from the coastal tracks in Abel Tasman and coastal tracks in North Island.

brennomac wrote:I noticed that a few posters made reference to hiking (or tramping as the Kiwis call it) when they're on their world cup trip. A note of warning, September is still winter in NZ (all the ski stations will still be open) and most of the mountain tracks maintained by Dept of Conservation (DOC) are going to be closed - all the great routes in the South Island - Milford Track, Routeburn Track etc defo closed. Abel Tasman is a coastal track so probably will be open. On north island, would expect Tongariro Crossing also to be closed - all of these tracks will still be under snow apart from the coastal tracks in Abel Tasman and coastal tracks in North Island.

.

A good point Brenno. The Able Tasman and the (shorter) Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds would be the only ones I'd attempt in September. More info here: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/great-walks/

I'm doing the Tongariro Crossing - on Tuesday 18th October



Ice Axe and Crampons ready - http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/central-north-island/ruapehu/tongariro-alpine-crossing/plan-and-prepare/

Fantastic trek Penfro, did it in a February so in good weather, probably need to wrap up well doing it in October. If you can do the side trip up Nguaraohe (or something unpronounceable like that) but lot will depend on snow level

Brenno - I'll have layers, layers, layers and .......more layers. This will be a good test for the Under Armour baselayers

just got to wellington and came across the welsh pub whilst walking to my hostel so had to pop in. wow never seen a place like it before, quality so much welsh memorabilia.

kingjohn7 wrote:just got to wellington and came across the welsh pub whilst walking to my hostel so had to pop in. wow never seen a place like it before, quality so much welsh memorabilia.

The WELSH DRAGON BAR
http://wotzon.com/profilepage.php?comp_id=1001893
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/New_Zealand/North_Island/Wellington_Region/Wellington-1881109/Nightlife-Wellington-Welsh_Dragon_Bar-BR-1.html
See you on Suinday 11th

There's a few walks just outside of Wellington that would be fine around now. The Orongarongas is less than an hours drive away from Wellington and while not as nice as the Abel Tasman etc is still fine for a couple of days. The Tararuas is some nice tough walking with basic huts but getting out there could be a problem.

God I'm jealous of those going to NZ....


Have a great time guys (and gals)...

Friday September 9th, 2011;
Things to do today,

1.oopm Be in Shakespeare (Albert Street0 meet up with trevor,
3.00pm down to viaduct,Danny Doolans for few more beers and a quick look round.
5.00pm train to Kingsland
5.00pm to 7.00pm Beers in Kingslander.
7.30 Walk down to Eden Park
8.30 HAKA
last train Home.
Mid night fast asleep