Best Tours of Auckland

Auckland is a city surrounded by lush nature, where you can take a wide variety of tours, from tours of the city's most emblematic sites and walks along the Pacific coast, to sunset cruises and visits to Hobbiton, where one of the biggest blockbuster sagas of recent times was filmed.

These tours are among the best things to do in Auckland, so here is a list of the most interesting ones, so you can choose the ones that best suit your travel style.

Full day tours of Auckland are the most recommended 3 days in Auckland or less, as you will see the main sites of Auckland and the best of the surrounding nature, accompanied by experienced local guides who will give you a very informative tour.

These full day tours last approximately 8 hours, from early morning until sunset. Some include lunch, but not all, so it is advisable to bring snacks, water and money to eat at a restaurant. Children can also take the tour, although some tours have a minimum age requirement.

Auckland sites you'll visit on these tours include Devonport Village, Mission Bay beaches, Mount Eden (Auckland's highest peak), the West Coast, Parnell Road shopping street, Kumeu Wine Trail vineyards, Piha Volcanic Beach and Karekare Falls. Don't forget to bring comfortable clothing and footwear, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Useful details

• Price: around 200€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: car for a maximum of 18 people.
• Advantages of this option: in just one day you will get to know the main highlights of Auckland, both the city and its nature.
• Disadvantages of this option: you may be left wanting to visit some places for longer.

One of the best ways to experience Auckland is from the heights- that is, by going to its scenic viewpoints. As a city built on an island where dormant volcanoes abound, there are many places that can give you a nice view of the surrounding area.

If you're short on time and want to get a general idea of Auckland's beauty, this tour is ideal. Many of these tours will pick you up from your hotel and take you, for example, to the North Shore, where you'll see the incredible panoramic views over Waitemata Harbour and the mighty Auckland Harbour Bridge.

This is a child-friendly tour and family discounts are often available. They are full day tours and start early in the morning. They are perfect experiences to learn about the history, culture and nature of the region, as local guides will fill you in on everything.

Some of the highlights of these tours include the following:

• Devonport, from where you can get a fantastic view of the Auckland skyline.
• Mission Bay, with its beautiful and tranquil beach.
• The picturesque coastal Tamaki Drive.
• Achilles Point and Bastion Point, from where you can see the volcanic island of Rangitoto.
• Mount Eden, the highest point on the North Island, from where you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view.
• North Head, a volcano that offers wonderful views.
• Muriawai Beach, on the West Coast, where you can observe colonies of native birds.
• The vineyards of the Kumeu Wine Trail.
• The Auckland Museum.

Interesting details

• Price: around €120 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: minivan or minibus.
• Advantages of this option: In just a few hours you will be able to experience Auckland's scenery in depth from the main viewpoints.
• Disadvantages of this option: You may be left wanting to stay a little longer at one of the attractions.

One of the best tours from Auckland that you can't miss is a visit to Hobbiton, the film set of Tolkien's saga, where the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were made. In the Shire you will see the 44 hobbit houses and gardens that make up this 4.5 hectare set.

On this full day tour, which starts early in the morning, you will pass through the Waikato region, where you will see the unmissable views of the landscape, to Matamata, where the Hobbiton film set is located.

This tour is organised in small groups, with an expert guide who will give you information about the films' themes of interest, as well as anecdotes and information about the scenery surrounding the set. The tour is suitable for children, but be aware that there is a lot of walking involved. It runs all year round, and in all weather conditions.

Lunch stops are at the Green Dragon Inn, where you can enjoy a beer and feel like you are part of the magic of Middle-earth. Most tours include lunch and drinks, and discounts for the gift shop.

Interesting details

• Price: around 100€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 11 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus for about 7-12 people.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the wonderful film set of The Lord of the Rings.
• Disadvantages of this option: due to the uneven terrain it is not recommended for wheelchair users.

A very interesting way to get to know Auckland is to take a sightseeing bus tour, as it allows you to get to know the different attractions of the city at your own pace and in a comfortable way. With Auckland Hop on Hop off Buses you can get off at each tourist attraction and get back on when you have finished your tour. Buses run approximately every 30 minutes at each stop.

Buses run throughout the day, from early morning until approximately 5pm, and you can hire them for one day, or choose a two-day combo if you're staying longer in the city. Many buses include commentary in English about the attractions you visit, and provide interesting information about each attraction.

Stops include the Sky Tower, the city centre, Auckland Art Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and Parnell Village.

Details of interest

• Price: around £50 for adults, around £20 for children and under 4s free.
• Duration: about 8 hours maximum for each day booked.
• Means of transport: Tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: allows you to see the best of Auckland at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: you may have to wait some time to get on the bus after visiting each site.

Auckland is a fantastic city, with lots to do, and one of its distinctive features is that it has two natural harbours, from where you can board a cruise to see the most emblematic of the city and the nature that surrounds it from the ocean. Without a doubt, you can take one of the best cruises in Auckland from these coasts.

On these excursions, the specialised captain usually tells you interesting facts about the city, while you enjoy a delicious dinner on board. Some tours, although suitable for children, have a minimum age requirement.

If you opt for this experience, be sure to let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Alcoholic drinks are not usually included in the menu, but you will be able to buy them at the bar on board. Please note that this activity only takes place in good weather, so it's a good option if you're visiting Auckland in the summer.

Useful details

• Price: around €90 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
• Means of transport: Sailing boat for up to 18 people.
• Advantages of this option: includes dinner and welcome drink.
• Disadvantages of this option: can be cancelled due to bad weather. There are age restrictions.

The Rotorua Geothermal Park and Adventure Park is one of the North Island's premier tourist destinations, an area known for its thermal activity, featuring geysers and hot mud pools from the Rotorua Caldera.

This is a full day tour, starting early in the morning. It is done in small groups and is open to children, although there may be a minimum age requirement. The first destination is the Waikato countryside, where it is usual to stop for breakfast.

Upon arrival in Rotorua, a guide will drive you around the city's most famous sights and tell you about the main attractions. You'll get to see Lake Rotorua, the city's museum, gardens and blue baths.

These types of tours usually give you free time to walk around and explore the site at your own pace, and to add optional attractions to your itinerary at an additional cost. These optional destinations may include Te Puia, the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area, the Polynesian spa and the Skyline cable car.

Details of interest

• Price: about €150 including entrance fees to various attractions.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the main tourist areas with thermal activity.
• Disadvantages of this option: food and drinks are not included.

It's often said that a good way to get to know a place is to sample its cuisine, which is what these specialised tours offer. An expert guide will lead you through markets offering wine, jams and fresh produce and tasty dishes in a tour lasting around 4 hours.

Visiting Auckland's fish market and farmers' market is an essential part of the best food tours. Your guide will tell you about local ingredients and recipes, and then you'll enjoy lunch with your tour companions, usually no more than 6 people. Many tours include all food and drink tastings, though not all.

Some food tours also show you the city's most iconic sites and often include stops at some of them, such as Mount Eden and Auckland Park. This is an excursion that children can do, but be sure to mention if they have any special dietary requirements.

These tours usually include a tasting of local wines, as there is significant wine production in Auckland. If you are particularly interested, you can book a more specific wine tour, to tour and experience the best of the region's vineyards.

Details of interest

• Price: around €150 per person.
• Duration: between 40 minutes and 2 hours depending on the tour.
• Means of transport: minivan.
• Advantages of this option: on a guided tour you can learn about the tastes, ingredients and typical recipes of Auckland.
• Disadvantages of this option: portions can be small.

If you want to try a different way of getting to know the picturesque city of Auckland, I recommend touring the city on an electric bike. These half-day tours, which take you on an experiential discovery of the city, are great fun.

On these tours, you'll ride through local and tourist favourites and get to know the most iconic neighbourhoods, such as Parnell Village. Please note that food and drinks are not usually included, so don't forget to bring your snacks and water bottle.

Electric bike tours are great because they are led by knowledgeable guides who tell you passionately about the culture and history of the area and answer all your questions. They are run in small groups and provide you with all the equipment you need, including a helmet and a mackintosh in case it rains.

Due to the nature of the tour, most of these tours are not suitable for children, and there may be conditions regarding the weight and height that the bikes can carry. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear to better enjoy the tour.

Details of interest

• Price: from 87€ per person.
• Duration: between 3 and 4 hours.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: you will have the chance to see the sights of Auckland in an entertaining way.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include refreshments. Not suitable for children.

Auckland is home to a Croatian wine region that dates back to the 1930's. The Kumeu Winery is located in the north-west of Auckland, not far from the city centre. As well as tasting delicious wines, a visit to this winery is an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

These tours usually include a transfer from your hotel or meeting point, a typical coastal lunch at a local restaurant and a tasting of selected wines from internationally renowned wineries. All this while enjoying the paradisiacal landscapes of the ocean coast.

This activity is ideal for relaxing, as it is done in small groups. There are 3 wineries that are toured, and the wineries may vary depending on the day you go. The great thing is that wine tastings and lunch are included, and many of these tours are open to children and babies.

If wine isn't your thing, you can sign up for a beer tour of Auckland, which will give you a different perspective on the city.

Interesting details

• Price: from £160 per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: lunch in a restaurant and tastings at the different wineries are included.
• Disadvantages of this option: not accessible for wheelchair users.

A short 30 minute drive from the centre of Auckland, the Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the coastal rainforest and all the natural grandeur of this place. This is a highly recommended tour if you want to see the flora and fauna and learn more about the history and culture of the Maori.

Excursions to the rainforest and western beaches are always guided by knowledgeable guides who will inform and explain everything about the area and answer any questions you may have as you walk through the wilderness.

Lunch is usually included in many of these tours. Picnics are held on the shore with soft drinks, coffee or tea and biscuits. Pack suitable and comfortable clothing and footwear for this tour, bearing in mind that the walk is long and includes stairs, and that it takes place in almost all weather conditions.

Details of interest

• Price: around 100-160€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 5-7 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus to and from the site and then on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn with an expert guide all about Maori culture, and the importance of traditions, as well as all the information about the flora and fauna.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to be in good physical condition.

If you are a marine wildlife enthusiast, or are curious to see them in their natural environment in a non-intrusive way, you can sign up for this dolphin, whale, bird and other marine mammal watching cruise in the Hauraki Gulf. It's a tour of about 4 hours and usually takes place in the morning.

It's a great tour to do with children, as the guide tells you all about these ocean animals and you can learn a lot about their way of life. In addition, many of the tour companies contribute to the conservation of these marine species.

Most tours do not include food and drinks, but you can buy them on board or bring your own food if you prefer. It is also advisable to bring a mackintosh, hat and sunscreen.

Details of interest

• Price: around 100€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: cruise.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, and contribute to their conservation.
• Disadvantages of this option: food and drinks are not included. The sighting of marine animals is not guaranteed.