We are flying into Auckland next month, arriving late at night, and have now decided to stay at an airport motel in Mangere, pick up a car the next morning back at the airport, and then drive directly to Rotorua after breakfast. So... can anyone recommend a place to have breakfast in or near to Mangere? We don't want to spend a fortune, and one of our party is gluten free so we need basically a café which will sell cereal, bacon and eggs, etc at a reasonable price. I've tried to google this question but am strangely striking out (seems to be lots of restaurants, some of which are quite expensive, one opens at 10am! [too late for us]). Out of curiosity I also rang the motel we've booked and the guy told me that there was nothing near by and they serve continental and cooked breakfasts (I'm not keen on motel breakfasts - invariably overpriced and cold by the time it gets delivered).
I guess options are (a) hope someone can recommend something or (b) get on the road in the morning after picking up the car, start driving towards Rotorua, and hope we see something on the side of the road. I'm surprised I'm finding this a difficult issue! Any help would be appreciated!
I can't advise on the availability (or otherwise) of breakfast near your airport hotel, however in similar situations we've simply had a couple of nut/muesli bars on us, had the tea or coffee available in the room, and hit the road really early, getting a roll or something out on the road a bit later.
Between Papakura and Drury motorway off ramps, there's a service area where you might get something. Otherwise on the right coming into Huntly. Never had the need to stop for breakfast.
Which route are you taking? I go via Hamilton so I don't get lost ( and still do) my husband always goes via Matamata.
Hey - thanks for both replies. I'm now thinking (slightly gloomily!) of packing some weetbix and eating it at the hotel before we leave. Ah well - cheap meal! We'll almost certainly stop somewhere for coffee on the way. I haven't checked the route yet - was going to rely on the trusty sat-nav! Whichever is the quickest though as am keen to get to Rotorua with plenty of daylight to spare to start looking around.
Alas - landing 11.15pm, at international airport, with elderly relative, and shuttle to motel. I reckon that combination = no visit to Airport Countdown, and packed weetbix or nut bars which hopefully Customs won't insist on confiscating (also Airport Countdown shuts at midnight according to the website - but for the combination of these factors was a great suggestion!)
trusted partner
