Meet Dorothy: Auckland’s Vintage London Double Decker Bus
On the streets of Auckland, surrounded by modern buildings, cafés, and harbour views, a piece of London transport history occasionally turns heads.
Bright red. Instantly recognisable. And unmistakably vintage.
Her name is Dorothy, and she is a beautifully restored 1960s London Routemaster double decker bus.
Originally built to carry commuters through the busy streets of London, Dorothy now has a new role on the other side of the world — helping visitors discover the highlights of Auckland in a way that is both nostalgic and unforgettable.
For many travellers, the bus itself quickly becomes one of the most memorable parts of the journey.
A London Icon
Few vehicles are as iconic as the London Routemaster.
Introduced in the 1950s, Routemasters became the backbone of London’s public transport network for decades. Their distinctive design — curved windows, open rear platform, and bold red colour — made them one of the most recognisable buses in the world.
Millions of Londoners rode them to work, school, and across the city every day.
Today, only a small number of these buses remain in operation.
Seeing one driving through Auckland’s streets is therefore a rare and surprising sight — a blend of British transport heritage and New Zealand city life.
From London Streets to Auckland Skyline
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Dorothy’s journey from London to Auckland is part of what makes her story so special.
Rather than spending her later years quietly in retirement, the bus has been carefully restored and given a new purpose: helping visitors explore Auckland’s streets, neighbourhoods, and waterfront from a unique vantage point.
As the bus rolls through the city, passengers quickly realise something interesting.
Auckland looks different from the top deck.
From above the traffic, views open up across the skyline, the harbour, and the city’s distinctive mix of architecture and green spaces.
The contrast between a classic London bus and Auckland’s modern skyline creates moments that feel almost cinematic — particularly when Dorothy passes beneath the towering Sky Tower in the centre of the city.
Climb the Stairs to the Upper Deck
One of the most charming parts of the experience is climbing the narrow staircase to the upper deck.
The moment you reach the top, the perspective changes.
Suddenly the city unfolds around you.
From this elevated vantage point, passengers enjoy sweeping views of Auckland’s streets, the harbour beyond the CBD, and the lively neighbourhoods that give the city its character.
The top deck is also where cameras come out.
Passengers frequently find themselves capturing photos of Auckland’s skyline, the waterfront, and the surrounding hills — views that simply aren’t the same from ground level.
A Favourite for Visitors
Over time, Dorothy has become something of a character in Auckland’s tourism scene.
Visitors arriving on cruise ships often spot the red bus near the waterfront and immediately recognise its heritage style. Others discover the tour while exploring the city centre or looking for a relaxed way to see Auckland’s highlights.
The experience appeals to a wide range of travellers:
• cruise passengers exploring Auckland for the day
• families looking for a memorable city tour
• visitors curious about the bus itself
• locals rediscovering their own city from a new perspective
There’s something about a vintage bus that invites conversation, curiosity, and a sense of fun.
A City Tour With Character
Many sightseeing tours focus only on the destinations.
Dorothy offers something slightly different.
She is part of the story.
As the bus moves through Auckland’s streets — past waterfront marinas, historic neighbourhoods, and the iconic Sky Tower — passengers experience the city from a vehicle that already carries decades of history.
It’s a combination that feels both timeless and unique.
And that’s why so many visitors find themselves remembering not just the places they saw in Auckland, but the vintage red bus that carried them there.
Discover Auckland With Dorothy
Dorothy now proudly serves as the centrepiece of the Double Decker Discovery tour, operated by Vintage Views.
Departing from central Auckland near the waterfront, the tour offers visitors a relaxed and memorable introduction to the city from the upper deck of an authentic London Routemaster bus.
For travellers looking for something a little different from the usual sightseeing experience, it’s a journey that blends heritage, scenery, and a touch of classic London charm.
Learn more or book your seat here:
👉 https://www.vintageviews.co.nz/tours
A London Icon Reborn in Auckland
There is something unmistakably special about seeing Dorothy roll through the streets of Auckland. Built in London in the early 1960s, she once carried generations of Londoners through the busy streets of the British capital. Today, after careful restoration by a small family-run team here in New Zealand, she has found a second life on the other side of the world. When she turns the corner along Auckland’s waterfront, past the harbour and beneath the Sky Tower, people stop, smile, and often pull out their phones. Children wave. Visitors ask questions. Locals share stories about trips to London years ago. That reaction is exactly why we restored her. Dorothy isn’t just transport — she’s a living piece of history that brings a little bit of classic London charm to modern Auckland, while giving guests a relaxed, elevated view of the city from the best seat in town: the top deck.
