Join Bush and Beach on one of their specialised small group tours led by an experienced guide with an extensive knowledge of the area, its flora and fauna. Auckland City has a diverse selection of eco systems and changing landscapes close by, provided by its proximity to enclosed harbours, open sea and to the shelter of native forest and bush. Maximise your discovery of this beautiful region by travelling with those who know how to get the most from a day, or half day, guided tour of Auckland City and/or nearby natural highlights.

Wilderness Experience Half day

From 12.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
Includes inner city pickup and refreshments

Only 30 kilometres 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.

Unwind by a spectacular cascading waterfall or swim beneath it. 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.

Best of Both Worlds Full day tour with Bush and Beach

Morning sights of Auckland
Plus Afternoon Wilderness Experience (as above).
From 9.00am to 5.30pm
Includes inner city pickup and refreshments

Auckland is set on 48 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 city.

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. 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. Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.

Continue on our Wilderness Experience in the afternoon.
Lunch can be purchased on the tour.

Coast & Rainforest Walk - Full Day Tour

Full Day Tour
10.00am – 5.00pm
Includes inner city pick up, picnic lunch and refreshments

This 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 to the isolated area of the rugged west coast. The experienced guides walk you through an area of Auckland’s coastal rainforest providing interesting information about the local flora and fauna. From the native bush with its ferns and streams travel to a beautiful black sand beach.

Enjoy a kiwi-style picnic lunch at a scenic location.

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 New Zealand's native plants are found nowhere else in the world. Guides will inform you about these native species as you walk amongst New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and native birds.

Coromandel Peninsula Guided Tour

Full Day tour
Operates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday only 7.00am - 7.00pm
Includes inner city pick up, entry to Driving Creek Railway, lunch and refreshments

Experience Coromandel Peninsula, a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders. Its amazing landscape consists of a mountainous, forest-covered backbone, with the Pacific Ocean on the east, and the sheltered bays and coves of the Hauraki Gulf on the west. Spend the day in this unique area steeped in history associated with kauri logging and gold mining and stunning coastlines.

A 90-minute drive south-east of Auckland is Coromandel's main town, Thames, where we take a short break. Then the spectacular western coast road leads us to Coromandel township where renowned New Zealand potter, Barry Brickell has his studio. Ride his own designed and built mountain railway system on a memorable journey through the rugged landscape. Our next stop is for a quiet stroll in the pristine rainforest to view some of the magnificent kauri trees which once covered the Coromandel Peninsula. The journey continues across the mountain divide and descends towards the east coast beaches where we stop for lunch. Visit Hot Water Beach with its hot spring in the middle of the beach. Take a dip if you wish!

A short drive away is Cathedral Cove, where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach backed by white cliffs. There is a half hour downhill walk to the beach from here which means of course the walk back is uphill! Our journey home to Auckland heads back over the hills by a different route.

Cathedral Cove walk subject to guide discretion.

See also a special Great Barrier Island guided trip