What are the most beautiful places in Auckland?

Don’t miss Piha Beach, Rangitoto Island summit, Mission Bay, Mount Eden, Waiheke vineyards, Long Bay Regional Park, the Auckland Domain Wintergardens, Cornwall Park, and Mount Victoria in Devonport.

Where are the best viewpoints in Auckland?

Top viewpoints include Mount Eden/Maungawhau, Mount Victoria, the Sky Tower observation deck, and Rangitoto Island’s summit track.

Which Auckland beaches are best for scenery?

Piha’s black sands offer dramatic west-coast scenery, while Mission Bay and Takapuna provide classic harbour and Rangitoto views with easy access.

Can I see Auckland’s most beautiful spots on a bus tour?

Yes. Vintage Views’ heritage double-decker offers panoramic city and coastal views, with curated routes that highlight iconic lookouts and waterfront vistas.

Are these scenic places free to visit?

Most viewpoints and parks—like Mount Eden, Cornwall Park, and Mount Victoria—are free. Ferry-accessed sites (e.g., Rangitoto) and attractions may have separate costs.

What’s the best time of day for photos in Auckland?

Golden hour around sunrise or sunset delivers the best light, especially at Mount Victoria, Mission Bay, and the west-coast beaches.

Is the Vintage Views Routemaster suitable for groups?

Yes. The Routemaster caters to groups for sightseeing and private hire, offering elevated views and nostalgic style ideal for memorable outings.

Hop On, Hop Off… Without the Hop Off — Auckland’s Relaxed Way to See It All

18 Oct

Written By Benjamin Dale

If you’ve ever tried to explore a new city on a “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus, you’ll know the feeling: excitement at first, then a little confusion, maybe some waiting around, and a few missed stops later — you realise you spent more time planning than seeing.

That’s why Vintage Views was created.
Auckland deserved a simpler, more elegant way to experience its beauty — one smooth, curated journey, aboard a bus that’s as much part of the attraction as the city itself.

🌇 A New Take on Sightseeing

We call it the Double Decker Discovery Tour — a single, 90-minute journey through Auckland’s most iconic districts. No rushing. No complicated timetables. No “hop off” required.

Instead, you sit back, relax, and watch the city unfold: the Viaduct’s yachts and cafés, Ponsonby’s villas, K Road’s creative murals, Parnell’s leafy avenues, and Mission Bay’s coastal drive.

It’s the perfect balance between tour and escape — a chance to see everything without ever feeling like a tourist.

🚍 Meet Dorothy — Our 1960s London Routemaster

Every great story has a main character, and ours is Dorothy.
Built in London in the 1960s, she served generations of commuters before finding new life in Auckland. Restored with care, she’s now a piece of living history — and the heart of the Vintage Views experience.

Her design isn’t just iconic; it’s timeless. Wide windows, rich red paint, brass trim, and that unmistakable hum that turns every ride into theatre.

Where the hop-on-hop-off buses feel like transit, Dorothy feels like a celebration.

🎧 Guided by Story, Not Schedules

Our commentary is crafted, not automated.
Every story comes from Aucklanders who know the streets — from the history of the harbour to the secrets of Parnell’s villas.

Guests often say it’s like sightseeing with a friend who knows all the best stories. You’ll learn, laugh, and still have time to take in the views without juggling timetables or tickets.

🏙️ Why “Hop On, Hop Off” Isn’t Always the Best Fit

There’s no denying the convenience of hop-on-hop-off systems — they work beautifully in cities built for them. But Auckland is different: compact, scenic, and full of winding streets and neighbourhoods best appreciated as a journey, not a checklist.

Hop-on-hop-off tours can be fragmented. You leave the rhythm, you wait for the next bus, and you lose that continuous story of the city.

Vintage Views offers the opposite: continuity.
It’s the Auckland sightseeing experience that flows — every turn, every district, every skyline view connecting seamlessly.

🧭 What You’ll See Along the Way

CBD & Viaduct Harbour – ferries, superyachts, and the heart of the waterfront.
Ponsonby & K Road – culture, creativity, and boutique architecture.
Parnell – leafy streets and heritage homes.
Mission Bay – seaside beauty framed by Rangitoto Island.

Each area tells its own chapter in Auckland’s story — from early settlement to today’s dynamic cityscape.

🔗 See the Difference Yourself

🎟️ Book the Double Decker Discovery Tour: www.vintageviews.co.nz/tours
📸 See photos in our Gallery: vintageviews.co.nz/auckland-double-decker-bus-gallery
🕰️ Explore Vintage Vibes Auckland: vintageviews.co.nz/vintage-vibes-auckland

Vintage Views is sightseeing, reimagined — a tour where you never have to worry about what you’ve missed. Because the truth is: you haven’t missed a thing.

Benjamin Dale