Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour
Overview
Explore Auckland in small groups for a more personalised experience.
An exceptional value, we offer a very comprehensive tour covering all the best sights, with plenty of stops for photos.
• Discover our sparkling harbour, stunning beaches, historic buildings, leafy parks, Victorian suburbs, and bustling shopping areas.
• Enjoy fantastic views from the top of our volcanoes.
• Travel over the Harbour Bridge for great views of our city.
• Learn about Auckland, the geography, history, and our way of life.
• Comfortable air-conditioned Mini-Bus takes you to a greater variety of sights.
• Choice of Morning or Afternoon Tour. 3.5 hours - 4 hours.
• Hotel pick-up from Central City Hotels, or from our convenient downtown departure point.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional guide with live commentary
- Hotel pick up & drop-off (Inner city hotels only)
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ferry Building 99 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Our main pick up point is alongside the Ferry Building on Queens Wharf.
There's a pick-up & drop off area, that's the spot.
Alternatively, I can pick you up from your inner city Hotel. You will need to let me know.
This is a very comprehensive tour and we pack a lot into the 3.5 to 4 hours. You will get a real feel for Auckland. It's geography, history, sights, and our way of life.
This tour is Owner Operated, and the commentary is detailed, full of insights from a local perspective and delivered with humor.
Duration: 2 minutes
Pass By: Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
We drive along the downtown waterfront area, past the Viaduct Harbour, which is one of Auckland top "going out" spots. Great selection of restaurants and bars. Lots of boats, and home to the America's Cup yachts, and Whale & Dolphin watching boats
Pass By: Wynyard Quarter, Jellicoe Street, Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
The Wynyard Quarter has been transformed into an attractive waterfront restaurant area and is home to the Auckland Fish market. great place to revisit later for some Fish and Chips.
Stop At: Westhaven Marina, 137 Westhaven Drive, Auckland 1011 New Zealand
Westhaven Marina is the largest Marina in the Southern Hemisphere. We stop here for great photos of the Harbour, Harbour Bridge, and the Marina. Sometimes we see Bungy Jumpers leaping off the Harbour Bridge. Sorry., but Bungy Jumping is not included in the tour, but I can help you organise it.... There's also nice clean bathrooms here.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Auckland Harbour Bridge, Curran St, Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
We travel over the Bridge to the North Shore, heading to Northcote Point.
Stop At: Little Shoal Bay Reserve, Council Terrace, Northcote, Auckland New Zealand
We visit Shoal Bay in Northcote Point for arguably the best views of Auckland City from across the Harbour. Great place for photos.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand
Optional coffee stop. We don't stop on this tour for a formal Morning or Afternoon "Tea/Coffee" break as I prefer to show you as much of Auckland as possible. There's a couple of nice choices for takeaway drinks and snacks. Just bring them back to the bus. I have drink holders installed for this very reason.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Ponsonby, Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
Ponsonby is a Victorian/ Edwardian suburb full of lovely older buildings. Fantastic shopping, with that point of difference, and mostly privately owned shops. An extremely varied selection of stores, from fashion boutiques, gift shops, homewares, antiques, cafe's and restaurants. Well worth a re-visit after the tour.
Pass By: Karangahape Road (K Road), Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
Known as a "colourful' area in the past, it's making a come-back. The nightclubs, bars, and tattoo parlors are still here, but there's also an interesting selection of shops, and cafe's. Definitely worth a re-visit.
Stop At: Mount Eden, Mount Eden, North Island
Fantastic elevated views of Auckland City from the summit of Mt Eden. It's a 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the Summit, but well worth the walk. If you are physically impaired, I have permission from the Auckland Council to take you to the very top.
There's bathrooms here.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Auckland Museum, The Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
We drive through the Auckland Domain ( Park) and past the Auckland Museum. You would at least 3-4 hours to visit the Museum, so we don't stop, but the Museum is well worth a visit. Excellent exhibit on Maori and Polynesian culture, and the daily Maori cultural performance is most enjoyable.
Stop At: Parnell Rose Gardens, Gladstone and Judges Bay Rds., Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
We drive through the Victorian suburb of Parnell, and past the Parnell Rose Gardens. If the flowers are in bloom we can stop for some photos.
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Mission Bay Beach, Auckland Central, Auckland New Zealand
We are now back on the waterfront, where we enjoy a picturesque drive past Ohaku Bay, Mission Bay, Kohimarama Beach, and on to Saint Heliers.
Pass By: St Heliers, St Heliers, North Island
After Achilles Point we drive through the seaside village of Saint Heliers, and then back along the waterfront, to downtown Auckland.
Stop At: Achilles Point, Cliff Road St Heliers Bay, Auckland Central, Auckland 2004 New Zealand
Achilles Point in the suburb of Saint Heliers affords wonderful views out over the many islands in the Hauraki Gulf. There's also a nice view of Auckland City in the distance. Great photo stop.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: The University of Auckland, 34 Princes Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
We drive along the tree-lined Symonds St, past the University of Auckland, where we head into the downtown area. .
Pass By: Auckland Central, Auckland Central, North Island
In the downtown city area, I'll point out the Auckland Art Gallery, and show you some of the smaller side streets, like High St, and O'Connell street where there are interesting shops.
Pass By: Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
Queen St is the main shopping street in Auckland. I point out many lovely heritage buildings, like the Auckland Town Hall & Civic Theater.
Stop At: Ferry Building 99 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
We conclude our tour back at the Ferry Building.
Alternatively, if you are staying in the downtown area, I'm happy to drop you back at your hotel.
This tour is delivered with a comprehensive commentary, not just about the places we visit, but also about the geography, history , and an insight into our way of life. There's' a few funny bits as well.
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A maximum of 11 people per booking
- Infant seat is available on request if advised at time of booking
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- There is some access to the bus, if you have a Walker or a Wheelchair, but these items must be folded. There is a small step. There are handles each side of the door to help.
- Strollers must be foldable.
- In consideration of other guests, if you are un-well, please do not participate on the tour. I will refund.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
A great half day tour of the city and beyond, covering the highlights and more with a very knowledgeable guide.
A great half day tour of the city and beyond, covering the highlights and more with a very knowledgeable guide.the half day city tour is your best choice when you only have a day or two to spend in the area. the highlights and information given lets you choose what you want to spend your time doing
the half day city tour is your best choice when you only have a day or two to spend in the area. the highlights and information given lets you choose what you want to spend your time doingOur group of 5 purchased the half day tour with Auckland Sightings Tours and experienced one of the most fabulous tours in New Zeland. We visited three sites all consisting of views of New Zealand's beautiful waters, magnificent mountains, waterfalls, beaches. The day was chock full of learning...
Our group of 5 purchased the half day tour with Auckland Sightings Tours and experienced one of the most fabulous tours in New Zeland. We visited three sites all consisting of views of New Zealand's beautiful waters, magnificent mountains, waterfalls, beaches. The day was chock full of learning so much of New Zealand's eco-system, plant life, and their volcanic laden black beaches. Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. Our day started with him picking us up at our hotel and dropping us off five hours later. We all took great pictures and the memories will continue for a lifetime.This was a very pleasant afternoon. Only in Auckland for 2 days and this tour provided a great overview of the city from different views within and around the city. Michael gives the insider's perspective and insights you won't likely get on other tours. I especially liked that, although there wa...
This was a very pleasant afternoon. Only in Auckland for 2 days and this tour provided a great overview of the city from different views within and around the city. Michael gives the insider's perspective and insights you won't likely get on other tours. I especially liked that, although there was a plan and a schedule, Michael was flexible and asked if anybody needed a coffee or bathroom break as we went along the tour. He also did not rush us, which I appreciated, as I like to take pictures and hate being rushed. Michael referred to each of us by name--nice! Highly recommend.Very nice tour. The sites were beautiful and the driver did a very good job of explaining the things we were seeing
Very nice tour. The sites were beautiful and the driver did a very good job of explaining the things we were seeingExcellent overview of Auckland. Michael was our guide for a fantastic afternoon. Knowledgeable and friendly—everything you want in a tour guide. I really appreciated the way that he kept an eye out for my husband who is sometimes unsteady on his feet. Michael was able to drive us us up Mt Eden wh...
Excellent overview of Auckland. Michael was our guide for a fantastic afternoon. Knowledgeable and friendly—everything you want in a tour guide. I really appreciated the way that he kept an eye out for my husband who is sometimes unsteady on his feet. Michael was able to drive us us up Mt Eden which was great as my husband was unable to walk it. Great start to our Auckland visit.