Discover Auckland Like Never Before: The Double Decker Discovery Tour — An Iconic New City Experience (With a Hint of Great British Charm)

2 Dec

Auckland is a city of layers—volcanic peaks, sweeping harbours, heritage neighbourhoods, modern skylines, hidden laneways, and a culture built on creativity, innovation, and the spirit of exploration. Yet for all of Auckland’s popularity among visitors and locals alike, many still experience the city the old way: cramped vans, hop-on hop-off buses with limited timetables, or disjointed self-guided wanderings that miss the city’s magic.

That’s exactly why Vintage Views launched the Double Decker Discovery Tour—Auckland’s only sightseeing experience aboard a lovingly restored 1960s London Routemaster bus. A rolling piece of history. A mobile viewing platform. A vintage theatre on wheels. And, most importantly, the most joyful, open-air way to see Auckland.

This ultra-long form guide explores not only why the Double Decker Discovery Tour has already become one of Auckland’s most photographed and talked-about experiences, but also how it fits into the growing ecosystem of premium Vintage Views experiences—including the now-famous Great British Pub Crawl, our evening cultural and gastronomic counterpart.

Whether you’re a local Aucklander, a cruise visitor, a global traveller, or simply someone searching for the best things to do in Auckland, this guide will give you everything you need to know about the tour that’s rewriting the Auckland sightseeing rulebook.

🌆 Why Auckland Needed a Tour Like This

Auckland receives millions of visitors each year—from cruise ships, international arrivals, domestic explorers, and locals rediscovering their own backyard. But the challenge has always been the same:

How do you show people the city’s best spots in a way that is memorable, spacious, scenic, and stress-free?

Vintage Views looked at the landscape and saw what was missing—an experience that is:

Iconic
Comfortable
Photogenic
Effortlessly fun
Packed with value
Great for all ages

And thus, the Double Decker Discovery Tour was born—a sightseeing tour designed not just to move people, but to move them emotionally.

🚌 Meet “Dorothy” — Auckland’s Most Famous Bus

Our star attraction is “Dorothy,” a beautifully restored red London Routemaster built during the golden age of double-decker engineering. She has carried millions through the streets of London and now proudly carries Aucklanders and visitors through the heart of Aotearoa’s biggest city.

A few reasons passengers instantly fall in love with her:

✔ True open-air views (better than a standard bus)

The upper deck is open, airy, and elevated—giving unmatched vantage points of the harbour, skyline, volcanic cones, and heritage streets.

✔ A photography dream

You don’t need fancy equipment. Your phone will capture better angles, better lighting, and better cityscapes from this height.

✔ A vehicle with personality

Everyone waves. Everyone smiles. This bus turns heads, sparks conversations, and creates memories before the tour even begins.

✔ The nostalgia factor

There’s something undeniably magical about a vintage Routemaster. When you combine that with Auckland’s modern skyline and natural beauty—you get visual storytelling at its finest.

THE TOUR

✨ Double Decker Discovery: The Best 90 Minutes in Auckland

This tour is crafted to showcase a full spectrum of Auckland’s sights—city, coast, culture, and character—in one expertly designed loop.

Your journey includes:

🌊 1. Auckland Waterfront & Viaduct Basin

Every great Auckland adventure begins at the water. The city’s maritime heart sets the tone with sailboats, superyachts, dining precincts, and panoramic harbour views.

The upper deck gives you a grandstand view of:

Rangitoto Island
Waitematā Harbour
Quay Street
The port and ferry terminal
The sparkling Viaduct Harbour

This is Auckland postcard material—but you’re in the picture.

🏞 2. Mission Bay & Tamaki Drive

No sightseeing tour is complete without a cruise along Auckland’s most beautiful stretch of coastline.

Here you’ll enjoy:

The shimmering waterfront
Beachside parks
Views toward Browns Island and Rangitoto
A snapshot of the relaxed Kiwi beachfront lifestyle

Mission Bay is a favourite among families, photographers, and anyone looking to soak up Auckland’s seaside energy.

🌺 3. Auckland Domain & Parnell Village

As we turn inland, the scenery shifts from coastline to culture.

You’ll roll through:

The historic Auckland Domain
Century-old trees
The Wintergardens (a beloved Auckland icon)
Charming Parnell Village with its galleries, cafés & boutique architecture

This is where Auckland’s heritage shines brightest.

🌉 4. Ponsonby & Karangahape Road

From Victorian villas to creative districts, this area is cultural dynamite.

Expect:

Street art murals
Boutique retail
Art venues
Trendy cafés
Auckland’s bohemian heart

The Routemaster looks right at home here—a fusion of vintage character and modern energy.

🌁 5. The Auckland Harbour Bridge Crossing

This is the moment guests talk about most.

There are few sightseeing experiences in Auckland—if any—that match the thrill of crossing the Harbour Bridge from the top deck of a vintage red double-decker.

You’ll see:

The skyline from a new angle
North Shore beaches
The Waitematā glittering below
Camera-friendly angles you simply can’t get any other way

This is THE shot that goes viral on social media.

🎧 Commentary That Makes Auckland Come Alive

Our guides don’t just give you facts—they tell stories, spark laughter, and highlight the quirky, human, and unseen elements of Auckland. No dry lecture. No lifeless audio tracks.

Just engaging, humorous, insightful storytelling.

WHY THIS TOUR IS DIFFERENT FROM ANYTHING ELSE IN AUCKLAND

🌟 1. Not a Hop-On Hop-Off… Something Better

We sometimes describe the tour as:

“A hop-on hop-off… without the off.”

That means:

No waiting for the next bus
No rushing to catch up
No risk of being stranded
No confusion

Just 90 minutes of pure sightseeing bliss.

🌟 2. Perfect for Cruise Passengers

Vintage Views is rapidly becoming the #1 recommended sightseeing tour for cruise visitors because:

It departs steps from the port
It fits perfectly into cruise schedules
Guests get a full Auckland highlights experience in under two hours
It’s family-friendly
It’s great value

Cruise forums are buzzing about it—and photos from the upper deck speak for themselves.

🌟 3. Loved by Auckland locals too

Locals often say:

“I never knew Auckland looked like this.”
“You forget how beautiful the city is.”
“This is actually the best city tour I've ever taken.”

Seeing your own city from a higher perspective is a special kind of magic.

SEO-RICH SECTION: Auckland Tours, Attractions & Things To Do

For search terms like Auckland tours, best Auckland attractions, things to do in Auckland, Auckland sightseeing, and Auckland city tours, here’s a rich, authoritative section tailored for Google.

Why the Double Decker Discovery Tour Leads Auckland’s Sightseeing Scene

✔ Unique vantage point

Most Auckland tours take place in standard coaches, vans, or glass-roof minibuses. None offer the elevated, open-air views of a true vintage double-decker.

✔ Auckland’s most photogenic tour

If you’re looking for the best angles of the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, and waterfront—this is the tour photographers dream about.

✔ Covers more sights in less time

This is one of the most efficient and comprehensive Auckland sightseeing loops in the city.

✔ Safe, family-friendly, locally owned

Vintage Views is proudly Auckland-owned and operated, with a focus on quality, storytelling, and memorable experiences.

🍺 Sub-Reference: The Great British Pub Crawl

While the Double Decker Discovery Tour is our daytime showcase, many guests love to return for our evening cultural experience—the Great British Pub Crawl.

We won’t dwell too long on it, but we will say this:

It uses the same iconic bus
It’s the most fun way to explore Auckland’s craft beer & British pub culture
It sells out often
Many “Double Decker Discovery” guests book it immediately after experiencing the daytime tour

It’s the perfect one-two combo:
Auckland by day, Auckland nightlife by vintage double-decker.

Practical Details (That Matter for SEO)

🕒 Duration:

90 minutes

📍 Departure Point:

CBD — easy access for cruise passengers, hotel guests, and locals

👨‍👩‍👧 Suitable For:

Families, couples, cruise visitors, locals, photographers, school groups, private charters

🎟 Prices:

$49 Adults
$19 Children
Under 2s FREE

🌐 Booking URL:

https://www.vintageviews.co.nz/tours

Why Vintage Views Is Becoming an Auckland Icon

The feedback, the photos, the smiles, and the stories all point to one thing:

The Double Decker Discovery Tour isn’t just a tour.
It’s an experience.

It’s the joy of elevated views.
It’s the nostalgia of a heritage vehicle.
It’s the magic of Auckland’s landscapes unfolding before you.
It’s the charm of being in a bus where people wave, smile, and take photos everywhere you go.

It’s sightseeing the way sightseeing should be—fun, stylish, memorable, and effortless.

Book Now — Auckland’s Most Unique City Tour Awaits

Seats are limited and sell out quickly, especially during cruise season and weekends.

👉 Book your Double Decker Discovery Tour here:
https://www.vintageviews.co.nz/tours

👉 Interested in the evening Great British Pub Crawl?
Ask us onboard or check the schedule online.

Whether you’re exploring Auckland for the first time or rediscovering your favourite city, we can’t wait to welcome you aboard our iconic red bus.

Benjamin Dale