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Auckland Central Tours
Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour
5

Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

By Auckland City Tours
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
There’s so much to see in New Zealand’s biggest city that it’s hard to know where to start. This half-day tour fits in as much as possible, visiting fantastic vista points, beautiful beaches, atmospheric neighborhoods, and the downtown shopping areas. With numbers limited to 18, you benefit from a more personalized experience, and receive plenty of tips and recommendations from your local guide.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 18 per group
Duration: 240–250 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Comprehensive introduction to Auckland perfect for first-time visitors
  • Get the inside scoop from the owner-operated tour company and local guide
  • Choice of morning or afternoon departure available to suit your itinerary
  • Selected convenient pick up points located throughout the city

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Professional guide with live commentary
  • Selected convenient pick-up areas located throughout the City.
What's not included
  • Gratuities

Begin your tour from one of our convenient pickup points or from our central tour start point. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, ride past the Viaduct Harbor, and onwards to the Wynyard Quarter and the Westhaven Marina, which offers great views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Ride over the city’s famed bridge to get to the North Shore and Northcote Point. Then, visit Shoal Bay, with plenty of great photo opportunities. It’s also possible to take a refreshment break. Continue into downtown Auckland to soak up the atmosphere along Ponsonby Road and Karangahape Road—aka K Road—where your guide points out the best places to eat, drink, and shop later during your stay. Next up is a visit to the sacred peak of Mount Eden, which affords incredible views over the city. Pass through Parnell Village, home to the Auckland Domain and Auckland Museum, before an optional photo stop at the Parnell Rose Gardens. The last part of the trip showcases the beautiful beaches of Mission Bay and St. Heliers. Make a l stop at Achilles Point, with views across the Hauraki Gulf, then drive along the tree-lined streets near the University of Auckland. Finally, as you drive back into Auckland, the guide points out the Auckland Art Gallery and streets that have interesting shops. Then the trip ends with a drop-off at the place you were picked up from.

Start:Multiple meeting point options.
  • Option 1
    Grand Millennium Auckland, 71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    Please use the Vincent St coach/bus stop directly next to the hotel. (Not the reception area). We will be there at 9.30am.
  • Option 2
    415 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    Please wait at the bus-stop next to Kiwi International hotel driveway. We pick-up from here at 9.35am.
  • Option 3
    305 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    The bus-stop in front of the Auckland Town Hall / Q Theater. Right across the Airedale Suites Hotel. Pick up time is 9.40am.
  • Option 4
    SkyCity Hotel Auckland, 72 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    If you could wait outside the hotel's front doors, behind the Sky Tower, please make sure you are standing in front of the Sky City Hotel and NOT the Grand by Sky City Hotel. They are both very close to each other. We will be there at 9.45am.
  • Option 5
    Ferry Building, 107 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
    There's a pick-up and drop-off area just to the right and slightly behind the Ferry Building. There's no signage, but that's the spot. 10am departure.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 52297P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • A maximum of 18 people per booking
    • 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 18 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 52297P1

    From
    AU$65.82
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 1
      Pass by
      Viaduct Harbour
      Wynyard Quarter
    • 2
      Pass by
      Auckland Harbour Bridge
    • 3
    • 4
      Pass by
      Ponsonby
      Karangahape Road (K Road)
    • 5
      Pass by
      Auckland Museum
    • 6
      Pass by
      Mission Bay Auckland
      St Heliers
    • 7
      Pass by
      The University of Auckland
      Auckland Central
      Queen Street
    • 8
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Auckland City Tours
      354
      New Zealand
      Joined in July 2016
    • jacklynsacco
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Friendly, knowledgeable tour guide
      Michael was a great tour guide. He gave us lots of interesting information in a humorous and friendly manner as he showed us the sights. There were stops for us to get out and stretch our legs. I highly recommend his tour.
      Written 14 April 2023
    • kathydV219CU
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful.
      Michael was great, very informative. Lots of stops, clean, cool van. We would recommend this tour company.
      Written 15 December 2022
    • Ray6266
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Do yourself a favour
      Great way to get a glimpse of the city and learn a little about the area. A small bus keeps the atmosphere cosy and friendly. Tour guide Michael was full of information and great company as well. 100% recommend this one for a few hours of site seeing fun. Thanks so much.
      Written 6 October 2022
    • sarahlynnsan
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      the best way to see Aukland when you arrive
      soon after arriving in Auckland we got in the van to see the city. The guide/owner was so friendly and was a wealth of knowledge. we saw a number of sites in a very comfortable van. we learned alot about the city in a short period of time
      Written 20 February 2020
    • mvjtk9
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Aukland City Tour
      We were the only couple on this particular tour of Aukland, New Zealand. It lasted about 2 1/2 hours and cvered many major sights and areas of the city and its surrounding areas. There were a number of photo stops from different sides of the city's waterways, hills, and historic sights.
      Written 11 February 2020
    • Allison M
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent introduction to Auckland
      Michael is a fun and knowledgeable guide. Took us to all the must-see sights and some sights you might not get to on your own. He is able to make accommodations for those who might not be able to hike to the top of Mt Eden, so you won't miss out. That was a fantastic bonus! The only (very minor) criticism is not being able to stop at more places on the road through the Eastern beaches. But then there's only so much you can do in a half-day. And it just whets your appetite to explore more on your own.
      Written 8 January 2020
    • SnotDok
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Hobbit on and glow worm tour
      Our tour guide Mike, was super friendly, and knowledgeable. Funny jokes and personable. I’ve wanted to go to glow worms since it was a bucket list item. The hobbiton tour was much nicer than expected. Our family of 6 adults had a fantastic time and highly recommend this tour.
      Written 25 December 2019
    • cJay38
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Hobbiton and glow worms
      Excellent small group trip in a comfortable van. The tour guide, Mike, was wonderful: friendly, gregarious, knowledgeable and humorous. Hobbiton was one one of the best parts of my 5 week trip to Australia and New Zealand. A great value for the price.
      Written 21 December 2019
    • villasun
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice tour if short on time
      Good overview of Auckland. Michael our driver and guide told us some funny stories and made our tour worthwhile. We were taken to some viewpoints that we wouldn’t have seen if on a larger coach tour or bus.
      Written 30 November 2019
    • Arka B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best 3 hours of our Auckland trip..
      Michael picked us up right on time (we had chosen the 2:30pm slot). Me my wife and my 3 yr old son thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Michael drives you through the best parts of Auckland and gives you ample photo opportunities as well. And you will definitely njoi conversing with this guy, he is absolutely lovely.... Highly recommend and a must do. Cheers...
      Written 16 October 2019
    • makeitwork09
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Value for Money
      Michael was both knowledgeable and accommodating. His friendly personality and sense of humour only added to the overall experience. I felt relaxed and made to feel part of a group as I enjoyed the sites in comfort. Highly recommend.
      Written 11 August 2019
    • Jasminetea53
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Good tour of Auckland
      An excellent tour all round Auckland. The driver/guide was very knowledgeable and funny. For us it lasted a bit long at 4 hours, as we had just arrived and we were extremely jet lagged.
      Written 8 January 2019
    • Jessica d
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Good warm up
      It was a nice start to the vacation. Good drive around the city. Given that we were on the off season it felt like it took a while to get going. Would have stayed longer st different places or added a spot or two and stayed less at others. Mike was engaging and friendly. Thanks!!
      Written 18 July 2018
    • TravelingTrio123
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Intimate and personal
      Michael's tour is really good. His little bus can get you into places that the larger tour busses can't and the low numbers means that it's a really friendly group. Michael is happy to answer all your questions and share his local knowledge. He even helped us plan the next stage of our NZ holiday.
      Written 10 January 2018
    • Oenomane
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      a tour with Michael = a must do
      on our tour we were the only guests and it was a great time with Michael. He showed us 'his' spots, special places, the suburbs - he is a local; we are glad having booked this tour with him.
      Written 4 December 2017
    See all 354 reviews
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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles331 reviews
    Excellent
    312
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    13
    Average
    5
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    0

    travelerinchicago
    Chicago, Illinois16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2020
    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.
    Written 19 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Natalia Araya
    Antofagasta, Chile1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2020
    A great tour with an excellent guide, who takes you through the unmissable places of Auckland, telling the history of the city in a very entertaining way and allowing you to capture those beautiful views from privileged places. Very worried about their passengers and that each one has a nice memory of this experience.
    Thanks Michael for a memorable morning
    Written 17 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Roger A
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2020 • Couples
    Mike did a great job touring the city. Not only did he give us a view of the central city from several sides but he took us into several neighborhoods explaining how they had changed over the years. He took us to viewing spots the big bus tours can’t get to. He shared many of his own interesting experiences. We highly recommend this tour.
    Written 18 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Jonelle
    Hong Kong, China8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a fantastic way to get to know Auckland. Michael not only gives you a great overview and intro to the city, he shares interesting tidbits of information, as well as about life in Auckland. The fact that it is a small group tour is an added bonus. I am very glad I did this tour vs the hop on hop off bus.
    Written 3 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    WilsonH
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Join this city tour and don't waste your valuable time trying to explore on your own. Our tour guide, Michael, had shown us many awsome view of the city. We learned more about the city during the tour as he explained some of the history as well.
    Written 3 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Nancy A
    Southeastern area of PA11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    July 2023 • Friends
    Michael was cheerful and full of insider knowledge as he toured us around the city he so clearly loves. We had dreadful weather but our spirits were not dampened. In fact this tour was an ideal way to get an overview of the city and it’s neighborhoods and history on a cold and rainy day I’d recommend this tour to any visitor to get a broad view We are here for Women’s World Cup but visiting doesn’t have to be 100% about soccer!
    Written 21 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Michael S
    19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2020
    Michael's tour was great--informative, fun, and well paced. He knows the city and shows obvious pride both in it and the country. Stops were well planned and the view of the city from across the harbor bridge is beautiful..We also got some background about the city and he took us through different neighborhoods which was very interesting. We had time at Mt Eden for bathroom break and ice cream.
    Written 14 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Gary
    Oakville, Canada44 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My wife and I are commencing our next chapter of our life together with a trip to New Zealand and Australia and started our journey with this wonderful guided tour with Michael after arriving in Auckland. Michael’s tour van is spacious but only accommodates 12 which is perfect and makes the experience much more personable. The other advantage is that the size enables him to get into iconic neighbourhoods, downtown streets, and waterfront areas that are impossible for large vehicles to get into and afford unbelievable views of the city, the waterfront and surrounding areas. We hit all the famous sites, and Michael is very generous with his time, and his sense of humour, passion and knowledge for the city, country and its history, and anecdotes made it an unforgettable experience. Two tips. Do this tour early in your stay as you will want to revisit some of the spots and neighbourhoods that michael takes you through on your own. And ask Michael to take you for Hokey Pokey Ice Cream!!
    Written 2 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Joli_Papillon
    San Francisco, CA65 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2020
    This 3.5-hour van tour was driven by owner Michael. The meeting place was Queen’s Wharf which is to the right of the ferry building. Michael was nice and friendly, eager to tell us about his city. There were 10 or 11 of us and Michael took us around Auckland, to the marina, and also over the Auckland Harbor Bridge as well as to Mt Eden. We also drove out to St Heliers where there are a couple of beaches. Michael stopped often for photo ops. He is very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about Auckland as well as the Maōri culture. It was a great way to sightsee around and in Auckland. Well worth it!
    Written 17 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    marcusr
    Singapore, Singapore49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I thoroughly enjoyed Michael's tour. Apart from the usual touristy sights, I particularly enjoyed the local sharing and drive thru of housing areas and schools. The bus is comfortable, no smell, air con works, pit stop on demand as requested. Thank you Michael.
    Written 11 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour provided by Auckland City Tours

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