Auckland Central Tours
Half-Day: Small Group Auckland Scenic Tour - 4 HOURS
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Half-Day: Small Group Auckland Scenic Tour - 4 HOURS

By Auckland Scenic Tours
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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With limited time to experience Auckland, this tour focuses on the highlights and it’s an ideal introduction to the city for first-time visitors. Enjoy views from Auckland Harbour Bridge and North Head, learn about the Maori legends of One Tree Hill, visit the seafront suburb of Devonport, and receive tips on where to eat and drink along atmospheric Ponsonby Road.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 10-99, max of 14 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Maximize your time in Auckland with a jam-packed itinerary
  • Choice of morning or afternoon departure
  • Hassle-free hotel pickup and round-trip transport
  • Small-group tour of up to 11: more personalized experience

  • Local driver/guide
  • Central hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Local taxes
What's not included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Minimum age is 10 years

After pickup from your hotel or cruise port, set out to discover Auckland by air-conditioned minibus, starting with a drive across the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge. Continue along the coast to Devonport, a seafront village with views across the water to Auckland. Make a stop at North Head to take photos, before arriving at One Tree Hill, where you’ll have chance to learn more about Auckland’s Maori heritage. As you head into downtown Auckland, spot the landmark Sky Tower on the horizon and jump out to walk along Ponsonby Road, one of the city’s busiest streets. If you are staying in the city, your guide will be able to recommend some great places to eat or drink in the area. Your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel or cruise port.

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • We pick up ONLY at all Downtown CBD Accommodation (Hotels, BNBs, Backpacker Hotels etc); also from the cruise ship terminals
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Port pickup offered
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.
      • Auckland
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        • Stroller accessible
        • Near public transportation
        • Infant seats available
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 37991P2

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • A maximum of 14 people per booking(We can provide this tour to groups larger than 14 by discussions with Viator and ourselves)
        • A small amount of easy walking is involved. Comfortable shoes recommended
        • Most travelers can participate
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

        • 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: 37991P2

        From
        $70.42
        per adult
        Select date and travelers

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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Auckland Scenic Tours
          1,527
          New Zealand
          Joined in June 2016
        • R2303HFjasonk
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great Experience!
          Really enjoyed both parts of this adventure. Wouldn’t have been able to do it on my own. Our guide Mike was fantastic and made sure we got the most out of the experience.
          Written October 31, 2024
        • Odyssey19492902459
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing experience!
          Hobbiton is a magical place. The attention to details and beautiful scenery makes it an amazing tour for both fans and non-fans of the franchise. About the tour company: Tim was an excellent tour guide, with great information and a sense of humor, extremely competent making us all feel comfortable traveling there.
          Written October 31, 2024
        • Flyer61720849907
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great Introduction to Auckland.
          Mike brought us around Auckland and showed us the variety of neighborhoods and key points to see, and he was very pleasant and knowledgeable.
          Written October 30, 2024
        • Shell-TA
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Hobbiton is an absolute must!
          This tour is simply amazing whether you are a Lord of the Rings fan or not. I mainly booked this for my husband who is a big fan, but I enjoyed it as much as he did. The scenery is just spectacular! I had no idea the area was so large. The attention to detail was phenomenal, and it was such fun touring a hobbit house. Our tour guide, Matt, told us many interesting facts along the way and even stopped on the way back to treat us to ice cream (hint: try the Hokey-Pokey ice cream; you won't be sorry). He was so nice and a great driver. The company was also great to communicate with and responded quickly to a couple questions I had. I highly recommend this Hobbiton tour with Auckland Scenic Tours!
          Written October 29, 2024
        • suziqiluv
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Pure magic
          This is as magical and wonderful as I hoped it would be. It was so lovely I actually wept. I felt as if I really was in the Shire. The many birds and bees added a whimsical touch, and the rambling gardens were perfect. Everything looked as if time had stopped there, and you would not be surprised if a hobbit came out of one of the homes. So very special and I will remember this always
          Written October 28, 2024
        • kmaglaqui
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Awesome tour guide!
          My tour guide was Mike, and he was awesome! I had the pleasure of sitting in the front with him! The drive to Hobbiton/Waitamo was just so magical. Living in the busy streets of LA, there was no part of that drive that was not worth seeing. He was very knowledgeable and patient! Highly recommend Mike for any of my New Zealand tours!
          Written October 28, 2024
        • Lackshu B
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Wonderful tour and guide!
          Liam was a wonderful guide and had interesting anecdotes around the areas we were passing. Got us back quick even with the long weekend traffic. Loved Hobbiton but Waitomo Caves trumps Hobbiton. Just a magical place. It was the highlight of our trip to Auckland.
          Written October 28, 2024
        • 303pattya
          0 contributions
          3.0 of 5 bubbles
          A long long drive...
          Hobbiton was a delight. Glow worm caves a sight to see. New Zealand is a beautiful country and I wish I had a chance to see more of it on our drive to Hobbiton and caves which is at least 6 hours of driving. However, Danny, the driver drove in a unsettling manner - too fast and jumpy. I had to close my eyes and try to sleep to avoid motion sickness. Others in group expressed same sentiment. Bummer.
          Written October 27, 2024
        • 903wesh
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing Guide
          This tour has been a dream of my wife and I for so long, and everything was amazing. The reason I decided to leave a review, was because of our tour guide, Matt if you see this, you were awesome! If you ever get the opportunity to do this tour, I hope you get Matt as a driver/tour guide, he is an amazing guy, and was full of information. Thank you, Matt!
          Written October 25, 2024
        • Mario E
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          It is a must for everyone who visits Auckland
          Overall it was a great experience. Tim is a great guide, very friendly and he gave us a lot of info, and nevertheless, has nice driving playlists!
          Written October 25, 2024
        • JustinsTravels4684
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Auckland "Scenic" indeed!
          I travelled to NZ a couple weeks ago, primarily to see LotR-related sites, but wanted to see more than just Hobbiton and filming locations. This tour with Auckland Scenic was a fantastic combination of the Hobbiton movie set and the stunning landscape of the North island. Mike was our guide for this tour, and I can't imagine anyone being more perfect for the role. His passion for this country and the locales we visited or drove through, along with his amazing sense of humour and knack for storytelling made this an unforgettable experience! Mike regaled the group with fascinating trivia and personal anecdotes every step of the way, really immersing us in the culture and landscapes as we went along. It was a very pleasant trip, and I felt safe and cared for the whole time. The Hobbiton stop along the tour was exactly what I hoped for and more, and well worth the 26hr flight to visit. The stop for lunch was excellent and perfectly planned and executed by Mike and the team. The Waitomo caves were a fascinating addition to the day, complete with its own outstanding tour guides. Auckland Scenic tours did a great job organizing every step, with great professionalism and communication - all I had to do was enjoy the ride! (On a very clean and comfortable bus, I might add). Thank you to Mike and Auckland Scenic Tours for making this an unforgettable trip! I will be back one day, and will not hesitate to book more tours with these folks. Cheers!
          Written October 21, 2024
        • H7731YQbarbarak
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Best of the Best
          Absolutely fabulous tour! Our tour director, Mac, was the extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. The gorgeous scenery was extraordinary. Would highly recommend this even though I am not a Hobbit fan.
          Written October 19, 2024
        • anissar515
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great day out!
          Fabulous day - showed us sights of New Zealand we would not have found ourselves! Fantastic tour guide and photo locations
          Written October 19, 2024
        • szachko
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Magical
          Packing Waitimo caves as Hobbiton into one day trip is very challenging, thanks for Tim’s excellent time management, we did both with great leisure!! Excellent!!
          Written October 17, 2024
        • Stephanie R
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing experience
          Amazing experience, a must for movie lovers. Amazing guides and lots of photo opportunities. Matt was our guide and he was friendly and very knowledgeable
          Written October 17, 2024
        See all 1,527 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members 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.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        5.0
        5.0 of 5 bubbles52 reviews
        Excellent
        50
        Very good
        2
        Average
        0
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        0

        iMadMaxx4444
        Harleysville, PA3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2022
        I forget our tour guide's name but, IMHO he was exceptional! These folks seemed to be a first class tour company that will more than likely exceed your expectations. The vehicle was clean and our guide was cordial and professional not to mention he seemed very knowledgeable of his homeland. This is normally a four hour tour, but, because our ship arrived in port late he gave us a five and half hour tour and showed us some places above and beyond! He certainly did not have to do that. I have no other tour company to compare this to, but, my impression of this guy is he did an outstanding job. He made frequent photo stops and gave us historic narratives of New Zealand and Auckland plus anywhere we went.
        Written November 14, 2022
        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.
        Love your headline "Don't pass these folks up." We make no secret of the fact that our 4-Hour Morning or Afternoon Half Day Tour of Auckland is the most comprehensive available. You experienced that but even more with the bonus of seeing other parts of Auckland that we normally only go to on our 8-Hour Auckland Tour. But what also differentiates our tour, apart from its length and detail, is the deep knowledge of our Tour Guides who host this tour. We thank you for commenting on this. We want every one of our guests to marvel at the stunning scenic beauty of Auckland but also learn about our rich history and culture. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour and best wishes.
        Written November 15, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Tess E
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2022
        Auckland Scenic Tours was a great way to discover Auckland and its environs. We were picked up promptly at our hotel by Mike, our driver and guide, who was quite friendly and accommodating. The tour was very personalized and Mike did an amazing job giving us tidbits about the city and its attractions. We were able to climb to the top of Mt Eden and hike to North Point to marvel at the Auckland cityscape and waterfront. Mike made sure that we were comfortable during the tour and even went out of his way to take lots and lots of photos for us! This tour comes in highly recommended and would give it an 11 out of 10, based on our memorable experience and wonderful hospitality/service provided by Mike and Auckland Scenic Tours!
        Written June 20, 2022
        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.
        Thank you! We make no secret of the fact that our 4-Hour Half Day Tour of Auckland is the most comprehensive available as you experienced first hand. Ideal for those with a short stay in Auckland or only a very short window of time off a cruise ship. Add in one of our knowledgeable guides and you truly experience the stunning beauty and panoramic views of Auckland, our history and culture. We want you to fall in love with our beautiful City; I sense you did from your comments. We have compressed into these 4 hours the must see highlights of Auckland. We want every one of our guests that we are privileged to host on our 20 tours to feel very special and have the same memorable experience that that you mention you had. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour.
        Written June 20, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        SuzieM
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        I cannot say enough good things about this tour and Auckland Scenic Tours. At the time of booking, I was considering multiple excursion and reached out to the company with questions and for recommendations. One of the main questions I had is if the tour would be cancelled if other people didn't register. I received a response almost immediately and was happy to learn that if you booked directly with the company they would never cancel a tour even if you were the only person attending!!

        The process was seamless from booking to pick up and drop off. They handled every detail and made sure I had clear instructions and expectations. The tour itself was fantastic. I was provided with a wireless earbud to ensure I could hear what my tour guide was saying at all times. This was such a bonus as it is a walking tour and at times there was traffic noise and crowd noise. My guide was extremely knowledgeable about Auckland and provided interesting details about architecture, history, plants, wildlife and much more.
        I highly recommend this tour- you won't be disappointed !!!
        Written June 8, 2022
        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.
        Thank you for these lovely comments about our 3.5 Hour Historic Walking Tour of the Auckland CBD; also about the experience you had with our Company and one of our tour guides. You are right that every guest on our Walking Tour is given a lanyard and ear piece to ensure that they easily hear our tour guide as we wander the quaint streets. Our Auckland CBD area is steeped in history and beautiful architecture and it was our pleasure for one of our guides to share his and our passion for our beautiful City with you. I am sure that you would have learned a lot about our culture but equally the different styles of architecture that are a beautiful legacy for our City. This is the perfect tour if you are visiting on a cruise ship or as you were, a few days in Auckland, and want to learn and see as much as possible. Thank you sincerely for choosing one of our tours.
        Written June 8, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Richard H
        9 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        When your time is limited in a city this is the best way to get the most out of it. This did not disappoint and we left Auckland feeling like we’d seen the city from a different perspective , not just wandering. Mike was a great guide and being a small group there’s opportunity to ask questions. Comfy air conditioned van, prompt pick up from our hotel and drop off. DO THIS TOUR
        Written March 5, 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.
        We agree with your comment: DO THIS TOUR. Our tour is the most comprehensive 4- Hour Half Tour available; we make no secret of this. Add in one of our comfy, air conditioned Mercedes Benz vehicles and a knowledgeable guide as you mention and you will find our tour the best way to see our city for those with only a very limited time. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour
        Written March 7, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Irina M
        2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Aug 2022 • Solo
        If I ever come to Auckland again I will definitely go for another tour with this company. I wanted to go on a scenic tour by myself, but nobody would take me “solo”. I called to Auckland scenic tours and they organized it for me by changing the setting to “one” instead of “minimum two people”.
        Thank you. Especially David, who was showing us beautiful places in Auckland, answering all the questions from our group and taking incredible pictures for us :)
        Written August 14, 2022
        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.
        The photo you have posted is absolutely beautiful with the backdrop of Auckland City in the background. You experienced some of the best views of Auckland from atop some of our 53 volcanoes (all extinct). These are some of the best vantage spots to view Auckland and with our smaller 12 and 15 seater Mercedes, we can take you where the bigger coaches just cannot go. We make no secret of the fact that our 4-Hour Tour of Auckland is the most comprehensive available. Add in one of our highly knowledgeable guides and you learn all about our history and culture but also have spectacular views as your experienced first hand. Thank you for your lovely comments about our Company and one of our tour guides. We hope one day in the future to host you on another of our 20 tours. Thank you and best wishes.
        Written August 16, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Cathy S
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2024 • Friends
        We had a tour with just the 6 friends we traveled with. Even though it poured rain, we had a good time touring around the city and visiting the crater and hilltops around the city. Our guide was very informative and knew the area very well. Would definitely recommend this tour.
        Written January 22, 2024
        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.
        I am so pleased to read that despite the inclement weather on the day, you had a very special tour of Auckland with your friends, made even more so by one of our tour guides. We make no secret of the fact that our tour is the most comprehensive 4-Hour Half Day Tour available. Aren't the 360 views atop 2 of Auckland's 53 volcanoes (where we go) mind-blowing? If you truly want to see the stunning scenic beauty of Auckland, then a small tour in one of our Mercedes is the best way due to the topography of Auckland. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour. Best wishes.
        Written January 24, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        bobray5758
        Scottsdale, AZ38 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Wonderful half day city tour of Auckland with Mike. What a great tour we saw so much of the city and our guide was just fantastic. Safety was his first priority at all of our stops and the views of the city were amazing. He was very sensitive to all the neighborhoods we toured. We learned a great deal about the history of the city. If you only have a limited amount time in Auckland I highly recommend Auckland Scenic Tours and ask for Mike. Oh and he has a wonderful sense of humor!
        Written March 4, 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.
        We appreciate your comment " Safety was his first priority." On all our tours, your personal safety and the safety of your possessions is our #1 priority. Thank you for recognizing and commenting on this. We appreciated your lovely comments about our tour and one of our tour guides. You are right that if you only have a very limited time in Auckland, then our 4-hour tour is the perfect tour. We make no secret of the fact that this is the most comprehensive 4-Hour tour available. It was our privilege hosting you. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour.
        Written March 5, 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        TNMRC
        4 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2024 • Couples
        Excellent half day tour. Pickup was seamless from cruise ship. Mike was very well informed and passionate regarding Auckland, past and present.
        I would recommend this tour to anyone, arriving in Auckland by ship, both on quality and cost.
        Written February 8, 2024
        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.
        Thank you. We appreciate your comment "Excellent half day tour. Pickup was seamless from cruise ship. Our tour guide was very well informed and passionate regarding Auckland, past and present. I would recommend this tour to anyone, arriving in Auckland by ship, both on quality and cost." We pride ourselves on our tour being the longest, most detailed and the most cost effective Half Day Tour of Auckland available. Ideal for those with a very limited time in Auckland and wanting to see as much of Auckland as possible in 4-Hours. Thank you sincerely for choosing our tour. It was a privilege hosting you.
        Written February 18, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Sybille C
        5 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2024 • Solo
        I really liked this tour ! We went on all the most popular places in Auckland and the views were always stunning ! We drove around the city discovering the famous neighborhoods, buildings, roads… and I had plenty of time to take some amazing photos !
        David has so much knowledge about the city which is definitely helpful to appreciate even more the tour.
        I would recommend it to anyone !
        Written February 1, 2024
        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.
        We make no secret of the fact that our 4-Hour Half Day Tour of Auckland is the most comprehensive available. We additionally go to the North Shore and the quaint suburbs of Auckland rather than just the City Side of Town. We do that also which is why our tour is so comprehensive and so widely regarded despite the challenges that the building of the underground railway system brings. Fortunately that is nearing completion, We appreciate your lovely comments about one of our tour guides and his knowledge of Auckland. Thank you for choosing our tour. Best wishes
        Written February 1, 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Davina R
        Watford, UK48 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Great opportunity to see the sights of Auckland. Mike was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his hometown. We viewed the city from a selection of viewpoints and even found time for our first New Zealand ice cream!
        Written January 31, 2024
        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.

        Showing results 1-10 of 48
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Half-Day: Small Group Auckland Scenic Tour - 4 HOURS provided by Auckland Scenic Tours

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