Discover Parnell — Auckland’s Heritage Heart from the Top Deck

When Auckland’s first settlers arrived in the 1840s, they built their homes on the gentle green ridges that would become Parnell — a suburb that still carries more history per metre than almost anywhere in the city.

Today, our Vintage Views Double Decker Discovery Tour glides quietly through those same leafy streets, and from the top deck of our lovingly restored 1960s London Routemaster, the view is unforgettable: villas framed by jacarandas, the glass dome of the Auckland War Memorial Museum shining above the trees, and the harbour glittering beyond.

This is where Auckland’s story begins — and where old meets new in the most elegant way.

🌳 A Journey Through Time and Design

As Dorothy (our Routemaster) turns off Parnell Rise, the hum of the city softens. You’re suddenly in another era — where restored wooden villas line the hillsides and boutiques occupy century-old brick storefronts.

From the top deck, you can trace the timeline of architecture: Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian — all within a few blocks. Parnell isn’t a museum suburb; it’s a living gallery of Auckland’s evolution.

The bus rounds past Auckland Domain, one of the city’s great green lungs. From here, the War Memorial Museum sits proudly above the trees — an iconic neoclassical building dedicated to remembering New Zealand’s service history. For guests who love heritage and history, this is one of the most striking vantage points in the entire tour.

👉 Learn more about the area on AucklandNZ.com

🛍️ Culture, Cafés, and Character

Below the leafy canopy, Parnell hums with art and conversation. Local galleries showcase contemporary New Zealand artists, cafés spill onto sunny terraces, and boutique stores invite exploration.

Our guests often remark how the Double Decker Discovery Tour captures both worlds — from the elegance of Parnell’s upper terraces to the lively cafés along Parnell Road. It’s one of those rare places where you can sip a flat white beneath 19th-century timber beams, while watching a 1960s London bus roll by — history in motion.

🕊️ The View That Captures Auckland

As we climb towards Auckland Domain, the top deck opens up a cinematic view: the Sky Tower rising in the distance, the curve of the Waitematā Harbour, and the city framed by pohutukawa trees.

There’s no need to hop on and off — this part of the route is designed for relaxation and photography. Guests simply sit back, enjoy the gentle motion of Dorothy, and take in a panorama that even many locals never see from this angle.

It’s moments like these that make the Vintage Views experience different from anything else in Auckland — calm, nostalgic, and immersive.

💬 What Our Guests Say

“The best way to see Auckland’s mix of old and new. Parnell from the top deck was stunning — you really feel part of the city’s history.”
— Claudia, Melbourne

“We didn’t expect such a beautiful view of the museum and Domain. This bus is a moving time machine.”
— James & Hana, Wellington

🧭 Why Parnell Matters to Auckland

For those visiting Auckland for the first time, Parnell offers a snapshot of everything that makes the city special:

• History — one of the city’s oldest suburbs, home to early colonial architecture.

• Nature — bordered by Auckland Domain and views toward Rangitoto Island.

• Culture — art galleries, cafés, boutiques, and the peaceful Holy Trinity Cathedral.

• Proximity — minutes from the CBD and on the direct route to Mission Bay.

That’s why it’s such a highlight of our 90-minute Double Decker Discovery Tour — a place where stories come to life as you glide through from your seat aboard a piece of rolling history.

🌏 Local Love, Global Values

As part of New Zealand’s tourism community, Vintage Views proudly supports the principles of the Tiaki Promise — to care for our people, our place, and our culture.
We encourage every guest to travel responsibly, respect local communities, and appreciate the heritage that makes Auckland unique.

When you see Parnell from the top deck, you’ll understand why it deserves to be cherished.

🎟️ Experience It Yourself

The Double Decker Discovery Tour departs daily from central Auckland. Tickets are $49 for adults and $29 for children, making it one of the city’s best-value experiences.

Each trip covers:

• Auckland CBD & Viaduct Harbour

• Ponsonby & Karangahape Road

• Parnell Village & Auckland Domain

• Mission Bay Waterfront

Book your seat, bring your camera, and rediscover the city in vintage style.

📍 Book now: vintageviews.co.nz