Auckland Hop on Hop off Bus - Everyday AND Auckland Shore Excursion

Whether you’re an animal lover wanting to visit Auckland Zoo, a thrill seeker keen to explore the heights of the Sky Tower, or hunting for Auckland’s best shopping spots, you can explore the city at your leisure with this hop on hop off tour!  

Climb aboard one of the unique red buses and discover Auckland's must-see attractions across two tour routes with a 24 or 48-hour ticket. Each route takes approximately 1-hour to complete and you can hop on or off as many times as you like. Enjoy commentary delivered live by your driver in English or tune into the helpful multi-lingual audio commentary on our Central Tour.

Nestled between two harbours, it’s clear to see how 'The City of Sails' earned its nickname! Breath in the sweet salty smell of sea air as you take in the views from the open top of a unique red open-top double-decker bus on the Central route.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour | Red Line

Winter Departure (1 May – 31 Oct): Buses depart every 60 minutes. First bus departs Stop 1 at 9am, last bus departs Stop 1 at 4pm.

Summer Departure: (1 Nov - 30 Apr): Buses depart every 30mins. First bus departs Stop 1 at 9am, last bus departs Stop 1 at 4pm. 

Please note RED open top double decker buses operate on this tour route. Bus frequency may vary due to traffic and other issues. 

Stop 1: SKYCITY (First bus departs: 9am)
Stop location: 72 Victoria St West, under Sky Tower
SKYCITY is a premiere entertainment destination located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD. Enjoy breath-taking 360° views from the 328m tall Sky Tower, or for those seeking adventure, take a Sky Walk around the top, or leap off the platform on the Sky Jump! SKYCITY also boasts a world-class casino and several restaurants and bars.

Stop 2: Viaduct Harbour (First bus departs: 9.05am)

Stop location: Cnr of Lower Hobson St & Quay St
The Viaduct Harbour is a residential, commercial and entertainment precinct that boasts some of Auckland’s finest restaurants and bars. This picturesque waterfront destination hosts a variety of events and is a superb place to dine or relax and watch the world go by.

Stop 3: Bastion Point (First bus departs: 9.20am)

Stop location: Top of Hapimana St, off Tamaki Drive, Orakei
This historic reserve provides great views across the Waitemata Habour, Rangitoto and the Auckland city skyline. Bastion Point is most clearly remembered in New Zealand history for its role in 1970’s Maori protests against forced land alienation by non-Maori New Zealanders.

Stop 4: SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium  (First bus departs: 9.25am)

Stop location: Tamaki Drive, near Kelly Tarlton's 
Set on the waterfront, just moments from the famous Mission Bay beach, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarirum is one of Auckland’s top attractions. Home to over 30 live animal exhibits in spectacular habitat displays, including the world’s largest Antarctic penguin colony exhibit and a Shark Cage snorkel experience available on weekends.

Stop 5: Parnell/Holy Trinity Cathedral (First bus departs: 9.40am)

Stop location: Parnell Rd, opposite St Mary's Close
Parnell has it all! Shopping, cafés, markets, heritage walks, museums and more. This vibrant inner-city suburb is one of New Zealand’s most desirable places to live, work and play! Here you can also visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland.

Stop 6: Auckland Museum (First bus departs: 9.45am)

Stop location: Cenotaph Rd, outside the North Entrance, Auckland Domain 
Nau Mai, Haere Mai! Auckland Museum is where exciting stories are told of New Zealand, the people, the Pacific, flora, fauna, and the unique landscape, it all comes to life through exciting and artistic exhibitions. This historic building is a memorial dedicated to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

Stop 7: Auckland Domain (First bus departs: 9.48am)

Stop location: Kiosk Road, Auckland Domain 
The city’s oldest park this spacious 75ha park has been developed around the cone of an extinct volcano. The natural land formations have created a natural amphitheatre and 10 hectares have been developed as first-class sports fields. There are formal gardens, duck ponds, bush walks and a 1912 band rotunda.

Stop 8: Albert Park/Auckland Art Gallery (First bus departs: 9.55am)

Stop location: 237 Queen St
Albert Park is a popular destination for Auckland residents and visitors alike. At one corner of the park is the Auckland Art Gallery and gardens, and on the other side is the original park-keepers cottage which is now a museum of memorabilia.

Tour Duration: 1 - 1.15 Hour | Blue Line

Winter Departure Times (1 May – 31 Oct): First bus departs Stop 1 9.30am, last bus departs Stop 1 at 3.30pm. Operates approx. every 65mins. Please contact ground crew at Sky City for up to date departure times.

Summer Departure (1 Nov - 30 Apr): First bus departs Stop 1 at 9.15am, last bus departs Stop 1 at 3.45pm. Operates approx. every 65mins. Please contact ground crew at Sky City for up to date departure times.

Please note a RED intimate and comfortable single level coach operates on this tour route. Bus frequency may vary due to traffic and other issues. 

Stop 9: SKYCITY (First bus departs: 9.30am)
Stop location: 72 Victoria St, under Sky Tower
SKYCITY is a premiere entertainment destination located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD. Enjoy breath-taking 360° views from the 328m tall Sky Tower, or for those seeking adventure, take a Sky Walk around the top, or leap off the platform on the Sky Jump! SKYCITY also boasts a world-class casino and several restaurants and bars.

Stop 10: Eden Park (First bus departs: 9.40am)

Stop location: 84 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham
Eden Park is New Zealand's largest and most iconic national sports stadium. Most notably remembered for hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, it has been the home of Auckland Cricket, Auckland Rugby and international events since the early 1900’s. As a Soaring Kiwi ticket-holder you can enjoy a tour of Eden Park for a discounted rate. See over page for details.

Stop 11: Westfield St Lukes Mall (First bus departs: 9.45am)

Stop location: 65 St Lukes Road, Mt Albert, opposite the mall.
Westfield St Lukes is one of the three big shopping centres in the western suburbs of Auckland. It receives about 6 million shopper visits annually and features over 160 stores, including Farmers, K-Mart, jewellers, supermarkets, beauty therapists, cafés, fast-food chains, ANZ & BNZ banks, a cinema complex and more.

Stop 12: Auckland Zoo (First bus departs: 9.50am)

Stop location: Motions Rd, Western Springs
Home to 138 different species and over 875 animals, Auckland Zoo has the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New Zealand. In 2011 the zoo opened its greatest development, Te Wao Nui, which offers a truly unique and immersive experience of New Zealand’s native animals, flora and fauna.

Stop 13: MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology (First bus departs: 9.55am)

Stop location: Great North Rd, bus stop near MOTAT outside Western Springs Park.
MOTAT is New Zealand’s largest transport and technology museum offering a fun and exciting learning experience for visitors of all ages. Spread across 40 acres, you are invited to explore and discover the achievements that have helped shape New Zealand from the 1800’s to today.

Stop 13: Western Springs

Stop location: Same as above. 
Western Springs is home to a large park with a lake fed by natural spring water. There are many walking paths surrounded by many trees including native Cabbage Trees, Ngaio and Kapuka. The lake also boasts many native sh and bird life.

Stop 14: Ponsonby (First bus departs: 10.05am)

Stop location: 139 Ponsonby Rd, outside Ponsonby Central
Ponsonby is one of Auckland’s hippest suburbs. Packed with boutique fashion stores, chic cafés, bars and restaurants, this is a must visit for any food lover or shopaholic. With five-star restaurants and award-winning chefs to pop-up stalls and street food, dining here is a ‘must’.

Stop 15: Auckland Harbour Bridge/AJ Hackett Bungy & Bridge Walk (No stop. Drive by only.)
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is considered one of the city’s most famous landmarks, towering over the Waitemata Harbour, connecting the North Shore with Auckland City. On the bridge thrill seekers can test their limits on the famous AJ Hackett Bungy or Bridge Climb for incredible 360° views.

Stop 16: Wynyard Quarter (Selected Cruise Ship days only.)
This 37ha area has been home to the marine and fishing industries for decades, but is now being redeveloped, and is New Zealand’s largest urban revitalisation project. With a variety of restaurants, cafés and events, this area has quickly established itself as a popular destination for locals and visitors. See our Cruise Ship Dates table below for details of when this stop is open.

(Note: Please note there are no accommodation pick ups available on these tours!)