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THE
ACCOMMODATIONS: Home at First’s principal lodging in Auckland
is a luxury bed and breakfast inn set in a restored Victorian mansion. Devonport Inn is a
stately home dating from the 1880's converted to a grand bed and breakfast guesthouse.
Each of its seven guestrooms has its own character, with elegant furnishings consistent
with the inn’s Victorian architecture. Each room has its own full bathroom, TV,
telephone, computer port, coffee/tea service, hair dryer, and iron.
DEVONPORT, BELOW MT. VICTORIA
Those reaching the top of nearby Mt. Victoria (a 5-minute drive or 30 minute walk from the
inn) are rewarded with a 360º view of Devonport, the harbor, the gulf, and the impressive
Auckland skyline with the 1,075’ high Sky Tower, tallest structure in the Southern
Hemisphere. A three-minute walk from the inn leads to Fuller’s Auckland-Devonport
passenger ferry, with frequent sailings (usually every half-hour; journey time is 12
minutes) to central Auckland. ACTIVITIES POSSIBLE: The nearest swimming beach to the inn is only 200 yards away on Waitemata Harbor. The larger Cheltenham Beach is 5 minutes by car and 15 minutes away on foot distance by car. The stroll to Cheltenham Beach follows the harbor promenade (King Edward Parade) leads east past North Head (with excellent views of the harbor and the islands of the gulf, and several former military tunnels with guns guarding the harbor entrance) and Torpedo Bay swimming beach. BREAKFAST ON THE VERANDAH Golf is as close as Devonport’s Waitemata Golf Course, just 2 minutes drive from the inn. Devonport’s free Naval Museum and Devonport Museum are ready for a visit on the rare rainy day. Of course, all the attractions of downtown Auckland are about 15 minutes away by ferry, and various adventures await you on the several islands of the Hauraki Gulf also conveniently reached by ferry.
THE HOSTESS AT THE
DEVONPORT INN IS ALWAYS EAGER AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, Get more information
about Home at First's travel program to: |
Common
rooms include a quiet corner lounge with computer access, and comfortable, upholstered
chairs ideal for conversation or reading. Dining facilities include a large main table
under a cathedral ceiling, as well as window tables and terrace deck tables overlooking
the inn’s lush tropical garden. Breakfast is special at Devonport Inn with a choice
of fresh fruit, yogurt, homemade muesli, Belgian berry waffles, smoked bacon, and the
house specialty, eggs Devonport with smoked salmon. The 3-story building has limited
private courtyard parking as well as on-street parking in front of the inn.
THE SETTING: Historic
Devonport Inn is in the heart of the Devonport village, just across Waitemata Harbor from
downtown Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Devonport is built around three
mini-volcanoes: Mt. Victoria, Mt. Cambria, and North Head on the north shore of Waitemata
Harbor near its entrance to the Hauraki Gulf. The inn is just a few steps away from
Devonport’s main shopping street, Victoria Road, noteworthy for its many
café-restaurants, trendy galleries and shops, and eclectic museums. Between the inn and
the harbor is the waterfront park with its great, shady fig trees.
THE
LOCATION: Devonport provides great access to the many visitor attractions of
Auckland and its harbor. Devonport also provides a gracious refuge from the frantic, noisy
pace of the city. Its handy ferry access to central Auckland and the islands of the
Hauraki Gulf means guests staying at Devonport don’t need to drive or park in the
city in order to explore the city and environs. At the end of a busy day of touring
Auckland and the gulf islands—like Waiheke Island with its many boutique
wineries—guests return to the civilized charms of Victorian Devonport and the
comforts of the Devonport Inn.
THE WELCOME: The hostess at
Devonport Inn is eager to tend to tired and hungry travelers. She will help guests plan
their daily activities. Moreover, she can arrange for transport to/from Auckland Airport
for fresh arrivals or those preparing their departure from New Zealand.