Auckland City Sights

OVERVIEW

This scenic tour will introduce you to Auckland’s distinctive blend of modern cosmopolitan influences and Polynesian traditions. A city wrapped around two sizable harbors and numerous ancient volcanoes, Auckland is home to nearly a third of all New Zealanders, and the environment they share here seems livable, indeed. A drive through 200-acre Auckland Domain provides a slice of the city’s idyllic greenery, while a visit to the imposingly white-columned Auckland Museum atop the park’s highest hill provides the history. This neoclassical building houses exhibits on New Zealand culture along with impressive Māori natural history collections. Enjoy a guided tour and go through a gripping exhibition that tells the story of New Zealand’s involvement in the 20th-century’s world wars. You’ll enjoy a spin along beautiful Tamaki Drive as it winds through historic Parnell Village and hugs the sandy beaches. Gaze on mega-yachts and the former America’s Cup Yachting Village in the Viaduct Harbor district, and later be dazzled by panoramic views of a sea of masts at Westhaven Yacht Marina – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest – as you cross the Auckland Harbor Bridge over glistening Waitemata Harbor. This signature span is a mecca for bungy-jumpers – you might see one boing by.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the sights of New Zealand’s largest city and get a clear sense of its beauty and history.
• Travel by panoramic coach through lush green parkland, along gorgeous beaches, and past scenic marina districts.
• Tour the Auckland Museum, home to impressive Maori artifacts and moving 20th-century war memorabilia.
• Cross the iconic Auckland Harbor Bridge, spanning the obsidian waters of Waitemata Harbor.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.