Escape from the city on award-winning full or half day tours of Auckland’s coastal rainforest, vineyards, Rotorua, Hobbiton or Waitomo Caves.
See nature at its best on the doorstep of New Zealand’s largest city or take a fresh look at Auckland on our small group city sights tour.
Each tour is led by an experienced tour guide with extensive knowledge of native flora and fauna and awareness for client and environmental safety.
Bush and Beach is a family-owned business specialising in small group tours from Auckland. With 40 years of experience, we are proud to be New Zealand’s longest-running eco-tour company.
Day Tours from Auckland
Prices quoted in NZ$, Subject to Change.
When looking for things to do in and around Auckland, whether it is sightseeing or something more active check out our range of tours. Inner city pick up and drop off is included in tour prices.
Our vehicles range from 4 seats up to 21 seat options and for larger groups we can also arrange the hire of larger coaches as required.
Auckland City Revealed
Your City Highlights tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play.
Runs every day (except Christmas Day) 9.00am – 12.00pm. No minimum numbers. NZ$90 per person includes inner city pick up.
Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore. Stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. The Auckland City tour is an easy morning tour introduction to the diverse city of Auckland.
Auckland Wilderness Experience
Waitakere Rainforest and black sand beaches. Runs every day (except Christmas Day) from 12.30 pm to 5.30 pm. No minimum numbers. NZ$185 per person. Includes inner city pickup & drop off and refreshments.
Only 30 kms from downtown Auckland is the city’s largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges. No other city in New Zealand has such a wonderful asset so close to it. In just 30 minutes you leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquility of the rainforest. Travel to the Arataki Centre perched high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Learn about and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings.
Continue on to the lush rainforest where you can walk the easy bush tracks amongst giant tree ferns and view New Zealand’s famous kauri trees. Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves day tour with lunch
Visit two iconic New Zealand attractions with this small group day tour to Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. The day includes a fully guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set followed by a sumptuous lunchtime feast in the Party Marquee. This is followed by a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves with a boat ride through the glowworm grotto.
Our experienced guides look after you all day from pick up to drop off at your inner Auckland City accommodation. Enjoy full commentary on the way with insights into the areas you are travelling through and background to both Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves.
Best of Both Worlds
Experience the best sights of Auckland city in the morning followed by Wilderness Experience in the afternoon.
Runs every day except Christmas Day from 9.00am to 5.30pm. No minimum numbers. NZ$270 per person, Includes inner city pickup & drop off and refreshments.
Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore. Stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. The Auckland City tour is an easy morning tour introduction to the diverse city of Auckland.
Travel to the Arataki Centre perched high in the Waitakere Ranges where the sweeping decks give breathtaking panoramic views from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the local history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Head further west and experience the power of the wild and rugged West Coast. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along some of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer.
With our knowledgeable and experienced guides your eco-tour continues on to the lush rainforest where you hear native birdsong as you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and giant tree ferns.
Lunch can be purchased on the tour.
Coast and Rainforest Walk
Full day tour. Runs every day (except Christmas Day) 10.00am – 5.00pm. Minimum 2 adults. NZ $285 per person includes inner city pick up & drop off, picnic lunch and refreshments.
Your journey then takes you to an area of untouched original rainforest with mature 1000 year old kauri trees. New Zealand has existed for millions of years separate from the rest of the world so has evolved in isolation to produce its own unique flora and fauna – 70% of our native plants are found nowhere else in the world. Our guides will explain about our native species as you walk amongst New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and native birds.
Our full day excursion goes first to the Arataki Visitor Information Centre situated within Auckland’s largest Regional Park, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The breathtaking panoramic views from the sweeping decks extend from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area’s history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Continue further west with our knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged west coast where you get to experience the isolation of the area. Visit one of the rainforest waterfalls as our guides walk you through an area of Auckland’s coastal rainforest where they explain the local flora and fauna with its giant tree ferns growing alongside picturesque streams in regenerating rainforest. You then get the opportunity to stroll on an awe-inspiring beach and experience the uniqueness of the black sand and the clear ocean breeze. We provide a kiwi-style picnic lunch at a scenic location.
Hobbiton Express Tour
Runs every day except Christmas day, 7.00am – 3.00pm.
NZ$ $375 per person includes inner city pick up & drop off, admission and guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, sumptuous buffet lunch and Hobbiton souvenir gift voucher.
Let Bush and Beach take you on a magical journey through Middle-earth to the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy for a fascinating guided tour.
On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your walking tour of the Hobbiton movie set. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”, looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance.
The tour concludes with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a complimentary ale, cider or ginger beer. After the tour a sumptuous buffet lunch fit for a Hobbit is included before heading back to Auckland.
Great Tastes of Matakana – Full Day Tour
- Runs every day except Public Holidays from 9.30am – 4.30pm
- Minimum 2 adults
- NZ $375 per passenger includes inner city pick up and drop off, vineyard lunch with glass of wine, 2 wine tastings, honey and chocolate tasting and afternoon tea.
Let award-winning tour company, Bush and Beach, take you on a food and wine tour to Matakana. With wine tasting, great local food and 21st century art and architecture this Matakana day tour is an enjoyable and relaxed day out.
Leave the bustle of the city and relax on the 45minute drive north through the rolling green hills before arriving at The Honey Centre. Here you find New Zealand’s largest display of live bees and a huge range of honeys available for tasting as well a range of honey mead and other honey based products for sale.
Then we visit a beautifully designed local vineyard with a for a wine tasting of their award winning wines.
Next we visit Brick Bay Winery for a wine tasting and sculpture trail walk. The Brick Bay sculpture trail has around 45 carefully chosen sculptures which are sited along an easy walking trail through beautiful forest.
On your return to Brick Bay’s Glass House you will sample their hand crafted wines followed by a delicious lunch made from many locally-sourced ingredients.
The day is rounded off with a hot drink and chocolate tasting at Chocolate Brown, where they hand-make outrageously fine chocolates.
Wineries and lunch location included may change depending on day of week.
Kumeu Wine Country with lunch – Half Day Tour
- Runs every day except Public Holidays from 12.30 pm – 5.15pm
- Minimum 2 adults
- NZ $285 per person includes inner city pick up and drop off, set menu vineyard lunch with glass of wine and 3 wine tastings
Leave behind the bustle of Auckland city and head northwest to join our wine tour and taste the flavours of Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland’s Heritage Wine Region. Enjoy lunch at a contemporary vineyard restaurant, sample world renowned wines and marvel at the rugged surf-fringed coastline nearby.
Your first stop is at Soljans Vineyard. Soljans has won many awards for their wines and they are also widely acknowledged in New Zealand as being an expert producer of methode traditionelle (bottle-fermented) sparkling wines.
Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at Soljans Winery restaurant. The winery is built with sunshine in mind and serves Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist, showcasing fresh seasonal produce from around the region.
Next to tempt the taste buds is a wine tasting at Coopers Creek vineyard which offers outstanding wines from New Zealand”s best regions. Coopers Creek produce a wide variety of wines and are adventurous in their choice of grapes and blends.
Next you visit one of the region’s special places where you have the chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment. Your journey takes you to one of the few mainland gannet nesting sites in the world situated on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea. Here you get a close-up of the gannet colony without disturbing their environment. The views extend for miles along the wild, black sand beach of Muriwai.
Your final wine tasting is at West Brook Winery. The West Brook cellar door looks across an idyllic duck pond and terraced picnic area to row after row of vines. The wines reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins. Without exception they are premium quality and have won numerous awards. This half day wine tour is a great introduction to the region.
Wineries included may change depending on day of the week
A Taste of Auckland – full day tour
- Runs every day except Public Holidays from 9 am to 5.15pm
- Minimum 2 adults
- NZ $365 per person includes inner city pick up and drop off, vineyard lunch with glass of wine and 3 wine tastings
Spend the morning exploring the city on a small group tour and then from midday, taste some of New Zealand’s best wine, eat local food and drink in the dramatic scenery of Auckland’s west coast.
Auckland is set on over 50 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. This small group tour is Auckland’s only scheduled city sightseeing tour that includes a drive to the top of a volcanic cone.
After the pick-up from your city accommodation, you travel up Queen St, through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as The Domain. We continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore.
You stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria where there are stunning panoramic views of Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the afternoon, leave behind the bustle of Auckland city and head northwest to taste the flavours of Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland’s Heritage Wine Region. Enjoy lunch at a contemporary vineyard restaurant, sample world renowned wines and marvel at the rugged surf-fringed coastline nearby.
Your first stop is at Soljans Vineyard. Soljans has won many awards for their wines and they are also widely acknowledged in New Zealand as being an expert producer of methode traditionelle (bottle-fermented) sparkling wines.
Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at Soljans Winery restaurant. The winery is built with sunshine in mind and serves Mediterranean-style food with a New Zealand twist, showcasing fresh seasonal produce from around the region.
Next to tempt the taste buds is Coopers Creek vineyard which offers outstanding wines from New Zealand”s best regions. Coopers Creek produce a wide variety of wines and are adventurous in their choice of grapes and blends.
Next you visit one of the region’s special places where you have the chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment. Your journey takes you to one of the few mainland gannet nesting sites in the world situated on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea. Here you get a close-up of gannet behaviour without disturbing their environment. The views extend for miles along the wild, black sand beach of Muriwai.
Your final tasting is at West Brook Winery. The West Brook cellar door looks across an idyllic duck pond and terraced picnic area to row after row of vines. The wines reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins. Without exception they are premium quality and have won numerous awards.
This full day Auckland tour including both a city tour and a wine tour is a great introduction to the region.
Have complete control over a very special day with your own luxury air-conditioned vehicle and guide. The trip gives you an intimate and memorable experience of Auckland’s wilderness without any impact on the environment and wildlife. Revel in your own full or half day Wilderness Experience, combine it with city highlights or choose from some of our other tour selections available.
These tours can be arranged for any number of passengers. There is a minimum cost that allows for up to 5 pax with a per person cost applying after that.
- Group or exclusive – up to 5 hours $1,200 for 1-5 pax, then $185 per person
- Group or exclusive – up to 8 hours $1,620 for 1-5 pax, then $270 per person
Rates quoted in NZ$, Subject to Change.
