8 Best Tours in Auckland

Auckland is a city surrounded by lush nature, where you can take a variety of tours, from tours of the most emblematic sites of the city, and walks along the Pacific coast, to sunset cruises.

These tours are among the best things to do in Auckland, so here is a list of the most interesting, 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 to sunset. Some include lunch, but not all, so it is recommended that you bring snacks, water and money to eat at a restaurant. It can also be done by children, although some tours require a minimum age.

Among the Auckland sites you will visit on these tours are Devonport Village, Mission Bay beaches, Mount Eden (the highest in Auckland), the West Coast, Parnell Road shopping street, Kumeu Wine Trail vineyards, Piha Volcanic Beach and Karekare Falls. Don't forget to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Details of interest

• Price: about 200€ per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: car for 18 people maximum.

A very interesting way to get to know Auckland is to take a sightseeing bus tour, as it allows you to see the different attractions of the city at your own pace and in a comfortable way. With the Auckland Hop on Hop off Bus 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 during the day, from morning until approximately 5 p.m., and you can hire them for one day, or choose a two-day combo if you are staying longer in the city. Many buses include commentary in English about the attractions you visit, and provide interesting information about each of them.

Among the stops these buses make are the Sky Tower, the city center, Auckland Art Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and Parnell Village.

Details of interest

• Price: about 50€ for adults, about 20€ for children and children under 4 years free.
• Duration: about 8 hours maximum for each contracted day.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.

If you want to enjoy the best views of Auckland and see its main attractions in a single day, the guided tour of Auckland is an ideal choice. This city, built on a volcanic island, offers multiple panoramic points from which to admire its impressive natural and urban environment.

This tour will allow you to explore the city comfortably with a local guide, who will take you to emblematic places such as Mount Eden, Mission Bay and Bastion Point, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Auckland skyline and its surroundings.

Details of interest

If you want to try a different way of getting to know the picturesque city of Auckland, I recommend that you tour it on an electric bike. These half-day tours, which take you to discover the city in an experiential way, are most entertaining.

On these tours, you will ride through the favorite places of locals and tourists, and get to know the most emblematic neighborhoods, such as Parnell Village. Please note that food and drinks are usually not included, so be sure to bring your snacks and water bottle.

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

Due to the characteristics of the tour, most of these tours cannot be done by children, and may have conditions regarding the weight and height that the bicycles can support. 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.

Auckland is home to a wine region of Croatian origin, dating back to the 1930's. It is the Kumeu Winery, located in the northwest of Auckland, not far from downtown. Besides tasting delicious wines, visiting this winery is an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

These tours usually include the transfer from the hotel or meeting point, a typical coastal lunch at a local restaurant and the tasting of the best wines selected 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. The wineries that are toured are 3, and may vary the wineries depending on the day you go. The good thing is that wine tastings and lunch are included, and many of these tours are open to children and babies.

If wine is not your thing, you can sign up for a beer tour of Auckland, which will show you the city from a different point of view.

Interesting details

• Price: from 160€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.

Auckland is a fantastic city, with lots of things to do, and one of its distinctive features is that it has two natural harbors, 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.

In these tours, the specialized captain usually tells you interesting facts about the city, while you enjoy a delicious dinner on board. Some tours, although suitable for children, require a minimum age to hire them.

If you opt for this experience, be sure to let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Alcoholic beverages 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 is a good option if you are visiting Auckland in the summer.

Interesting details

• Price: around 90€ per person.
• Duration: 2 hours and a half approximately.
• Means of transport: sailboat with up to 18 people.

If you are passionate about the marine world and want to live a unique experience in New Zealand, the Goat Island snorkeling tour is an activity not to be missed. This protected marine reserve, located just 90 minutes from Auckland, is home to an incredible underwater biodiversity, making it an ideal snorkeling destination.

The tour begins with a brief introduction to marine wildlife and the best snorkeling techniques. Then, you will dive into the crystal clear waters of Goat Island, where you can swim among colorful fish, manta rays and even small harmless sharks. In addition, you will be assisted by expert guides who will accompany you at all times to ensure a safe and exciting experience.

Details of interest

It is often said that a good way to get to know a place is to taste its cuisine, and this is what these specialized tours propose. An expert guide will lead you through markets offering wine, jams and fresh produce, and tasty dishes in a tour of about 4 hours.

Visiting the Auckland Fish Market and Farmers Market is an essential part of the best food tours The guide will tell you about local ingredients and recipes, and then you will enjoy lunch with your tour companions, which are usually no more than 6 people. Many tours include all food and beverage tastings, though not all.

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

These tours usually include a wine tasting of local wines, as there is an important 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 transportation: minivan.

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 movies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were made. In the Shire you will see the 44 hobbit houses and the gardens that make up this 4.5 hectare set.

On this full day tour starting early in the morning, you will pass through the Waikato region, where you will be able to contemplate the unmissable views of the landscape, until you reach Matamata, where the Hobbiton film set is located.

This tour is organized in small groups, with an expert guide who will inform you about the topics of interest of the movies, as well as anecdotes and information about the landscape surrounding the set. It is a tour that can be done with children, but keep in mind 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 drink, and discounts for the gift store.

Details of interest

• Price: around 100€ per person.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus for about 7-12 people.