Auckland Shore Excursion: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Join one of the best sightseeing buses in New Zealand when your cruise ships docks in Auckland; complete with air-conditioning, a modern glass roof and complimentary return ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
With a 24-hour hop on hop off shore excursion ticket from Explorer Bus, you’ll have the opportunity to discover Auckland city at your own pace; from the seaside village of Devonport to fashionable shopping districts in Ponsonby and Parnell Village and the tree lined streets of Auckland Waterfront.
A double decker bus departs every 15 minutes* in summer and visits Auckland Museum, Sky City, Parnell Village, Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, Auckland waterfront, Mount Eden, St Lukes Shopping Mall, Auckland Zoo and many more of the best things to see in Auckland. The first Explorer Bus departs from the Waterfront stop at 9am, with the last bus returning at 5pm.
An entertaining commentary is available in English with translated information sheets available in French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese and German. Combine your Explorer Bus pass with an attraction combo and save! See the options available.
*Single and double decker buses operate. Frequency every 20 minutes 1st April – 30th April and every 30 minutes 1st May – Nov 30th.

Auckland Hop-on Hop-off Tour stops (Red Route):

• Philips Corner/Princes Wharf
• Bastion Point Lookout - Short walk to Mission Bay Beach and offers views of Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour
• Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium - Home to an extensive display of aquatic life and the largest penguin colony in captivity
• Parnell Rose Gardens - Visit between October and April to see the blooms at their best!
• Holy Trinity Cathedral - A place of worship, learning, art and architecture

• Auckland Museum - Three expansive levels house the history of New Zealand within its walls
• Parnell Village - Oldest suburb in New Zealand with great galleries, cafes, restaurants and charming boutique-style stores
• Civic Theater Corner - The main street of downtown Auckland and a short walk to the Auckland Art Gallery
• Sky City and Sky Tower - See the city from a vantage point of 630 feet (192 meters) above street level, sky walk around the tower or sky jump if you dare!
Auckland Explorer Bus stops (Blue Route):

• Winter Gardens - Beautiful glasshouses filled with exotic plants and flowers
• Eden Gardens - Described as New Zealand's best kept secret, this garden is a delightful mix of art and craft gardening

• Mt Eden - Auckland's highest point with great views overlooking the city and harbor
• St Luke's Westfield Shopping Center - Auckland's largest shopping mall

• Auckland Zoo - The largest collection of native and exotic animals in New Zealand

• Museum of Transport and Technology - Take an interactive journey and see how technology has shaped New Zealand