Best of Both Worlds City and Nature Tour

Auckland city and nature tour

Let Bush and Beach take you on a day tour to experience the best of Auckland sightseeing. We combine an Auckland city tour in the morning with an afternoon nature tour to the black sand beach and rainforest at Piha* – a day of variety and a great introduction to Auckland and New Zealand.

Your morning Auckland city tour is designed to explore the history and sights of the city. Discover the Māori history of the city and as see  what makes our city a vibrant place to live. Auckland City is built around the beautiful Waitmata harbour and it is known as the ‘City of Sails’. This small group city tour includes stops at iconic landmarks such as The Auckland Domain, Mount Victoria in Devonport and Westhaven marina. There is also a stop at a cafe by a beautiful beach and lots of photo opportunities all day.

Your afternoon eco tour is spent in the Waitakere Ranges. In just 30 minutes you leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquillity of the rainforest.

Travel to the Arataki Centre, an information centre built high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges. From here you get breathtaking panoramic views across the rainforest to Auckland’s two harbours. The visitors centre is also home to some traditional Māori  carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area.

Continue on to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy tracks among giant tree ferns and view New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and silver ferns.

Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the black sand of Piha beach beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. The perfect Auckland day trip.

During the afternoon we also include a New Zealand style afternoon tea including biscuits and tea and coffee or juice.

“The perfect all round Auckland highlights tour” – Viator review June 2021

* A cyclone in February severely damaged roads and walking tracks around Piha. Until 1st December 2023 we are unable to visit Piha on this tour. In the mean time we are running an alternative (and fantastic!) tour. The alternative tour highlights are:

• Views and Māori carvings at Arataki Visitors Centre
• Cornwallis Beach – an inner-harbour beach with black sand
• Great views and photo opportunity from Huia Lookout
• Karamatura bush walk – an ancient forest with amazing bird life, silver ferns and Kauri trees.
• Informative commentary from professional guides
• Opportunity to buy refreshments in the quaint village of Titirangi
• Afternoon tea

Once roads and tracks are repaired we intend to be back running our regular tour.

Tour code BB3 – $270 per adult

When you book on line you have the option to contribute to our sustainability commitment by donating $5 which will get a native tree planted on your behalf. We are working with Trees That Count and their community-based planting projects to donate native trees to be planted in Auckland. (Bush and Beach will match your donation, which means every $5 donation from you equals a native tree planted in Auckland.)