Auckland City Highlights, Afternoon Piha Beach & Rainforest Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Auckland, New Zealand
- 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the highlights of Auckland on a city sightseeing tour in the morning, combined with an afternoon wilderness experience in Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Learn how Aucklanders live and play as you explore the City of Sails with an informative guide. Then discover native flora and fauna on a beach stroll and forest walk, with a stop for afternoon tea.
- Perfect for first-time visitors to Auckland who want to see a lot in a day
- Learn about Auckland and its nearby natural areas from a guide
- Enjoy an afternoon tea with cookies and beverages
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Auckland hotels adds convenience
What's Included
- Auckland city centre hotel pickup and drop-off
- Join our local guide for a 3 hour small group city tour in the morning before an afternoon in nature
- Visit Piha Beach
- Enjoy a walk in the rainforest, just 45 minutes from Auckland City
- Afternoon tea refreshments included
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Lunch (can be purchased - a small amount of cash is required)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
Setting out from your hotel in Auckland, your morning tour takes you sightseeing in the City of Sails, while the afternoon tour delivers you outside the city to the Waitakere Ranges.
Discover the highlights of this unique urban landscape, set on 48 dormant volcanic cones. Enjoy plenty of photo ops from vista points overlooking the two harbors—Waitemata and Manukau—and witness how the locals live in New Zealand's busiest city, site of the world-renowned America’s Cup.
Light refreshments are provided, and lunch can be purchased (own expense).
In the afternoon, depart downtown for the Arataki Visitor Centre, and step out on the deck for views of the cityscape and harbors all the way to the Tasman Sea. Learn of the traditional Maori carvings that guard this gateway to the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland’s largest regional park. Your guide enlightens you on the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Continue on to the wild and rugged west coast where you have the opportunity to stroll on an unspoiled beach. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest. Gaze up at giant tree ferns and listen for native birdlife on your walk, and see an outstanding specimen of New Zealand's ancient kauri trees—a classic Kiwi experience—before returning to Auckland.
Discover the highlights of this unique urban landscape, set on 48 dormant volcanic cones. Enjoy plenty of photo ops from vista points overlooking the two harbors—Waitemata and Manukau—and witness how the locals live in New Zealand's busiest city, site of the world-renowned America’s Cup.
Light refreshments are provided, and lunch can be purchased (own expense).
In the afternoon, depart downtown for the Arataki Visitor Centre, and step out on the deck for views of the cityscape and harbors all the way to the Tasman Sea. Learn of the traditional Maori carvings that guard this gateway to the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland’s largest regional park. Your guide enlightens you on the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Continue on to the wild and rugged west coast where you have the opportunity to stroll on an unspoiled beach. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest. Gaze up at giant tree ferns and listen for native birdlife on your walk, and see an outstanding specimen of New Zealand's ancient kauri trees—a classic Kiwi experience—before returning to Auckland.
Queen Street (Pass By)
Ponsonby (Pass By)
Auckland Harbour Bridge (Pass By)
1
Mount Victoria Reserve
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Narrow Neck Beach
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Westhaven Marina
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Auckland Domain (Pass By)
Parnell (Pass By)
4
Arataki Visitor Centre - Waitakere Ranges
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Auckland
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Piha Beach
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- The tour is suitable for all ages and abilities. It includes 2 hours of light walking.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum TWO adults required for the tour to run
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 136 reviews
Jane_L, Jan 2026
Our morning and afternoon tour of Auckland was super enjoyable! Our guides, Kelly and Peter were very knowledgeable and nice, we also enjoyed the stops at the rainforest and Piha Beach. Overall, this experience was fun and amazing!
Debra_H, Dec 2025
This was a great all day tour. It was my first day in Auckland and morning was a great introduction into my surroundings. A stop for a famous Auckland pie for lunch (not included) and we went for a guided hike through an easy trail through the jungle. Finished off at the beautiful Piha Beach and a tea and cookies picnic. It was a day to remember.
Eileen_L, Dec 2025
This tour was on our first full day in Auckland and It was an excellent orientation to the city. Commentary was great and helpful
Donald_H, Dec 2025
A nice way to get overview of city inorning then off to rainforest with informative walk and then some time on time most beautiful black sand beach.
Maite_H, May 2025
Just a great experience with a lovely guide and stunning sights, my 5 star recommendations.
Stunning landscapes and beaches as well as cultural experiences.
Heather_V, Feb 2025
Great guides! Amazing sense of humor and full of knowledge. Made the entire day fun and informative. So glad we booked this tour!
April_K, Feb 2025
Was very interesting and informative about the history and culture and fauna of the area. Would recommend.
Heather_R, Nov 2024
Our guide Wayne was excellent
Very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour
Enjoyed seeing the city and the opportunities to get off en route
In the afternoon was the beach and bush experience
Again both tour guides excellent
Was amazing to get out of the city and explore some nature
Chester_H, Oct 2024
Piha beach was great. Our rainforest guide and driver (Peter) was excellent. We had a morning guide and afternoon guide, and both were very good and organized.
Alina_N, Sep 2024
Great tour. Nice tour guide. Recommend it for exploring Auckland. Thank you for such great experience!
Laura_W, Jul 2024
Great 2 part tour showed off cool parts of city & afternoon went to rainforest for short walk and then to gorgeous beach. Super way to see Auckland highlights. Guides were really helpful & fun.
Matthew_G, Jul 2024
It is an excellent family trip to see most of the sights around Auckland and the rainforest on the same day. The guides were friendly and informative, I highly recommend it!
Sandra_S, Jul 2024
Michelle the guide was a wealth of knowledge...we enjoyed listening to her tell the stories and guide us around the city. Morning tea was delicious. However we would have liked to stop and walk around the marina/wharf, the gardens and etc...there was too much time on the bus and not enough time to explore points of interest.
The boys who guided us around the forest and beach were wonderful. we enjoyed our day.
Shalonda_S, May 2024
I enjoyed this tour very much. In the morning we had Wayne for thwle tour if Auckland city, He was very funny and knowledgeable about the city. Especially places to eat.
In the afternoon we switched over to Milton and Mauri, who both did an excellent job. Very knowledgeable about the plants in the rainforest. And even off season, the beach was beautiful.
Would recommend this tour.
Patricia_M, May 2024
Excellent trip for a first time visitor to Auckland. Morning gave a good look around the city area while the afternoon showed how close you are to rainforest and incredible beaches.
Tom_C, Apr 2024
Great tour giving a taste of Auckland and surrounding area.
In addition to a city tour, we were treated to stunning views of the city from Mount Victoria, a walk through the rain forest at Arataki visitor centre and a walk on Piha beach.
Great tour guides ensured we had a great day 👍
Lourdes_D, Mar 2024
The excursion gives you a taste of the city and the Pha beach which is a beautiful beach. It is in a small group making a better experience.
Inna_S, Mar 2024
It was a whole day tour divided into 2 parts: morning and afternoon. The bus was clean and picked us up at the hotel. The tour was not private and we had other families on the tour with us. The driver took us around the town and he was also the tour guide. The second half of the day we were on the same bus with the driver, but the tour guide was another person. It was a little bit rainy, so Piha Beach would be nicer on a sunny day.
I recommend the tour to take.
william_w, Feb 2024
visiting the rainforrest and seeing the kauri tree. good info from tour guides. saw a lot in a short time
aemerte, Jan 2024
i did the full day tour with Wayne and Kevin and had an amazing time. They were entertaining, provided interesting facts about New Zealand, and stopped at a good variety of places with the right amount of time. I highly recommend this tour!
Kathryn_R, Dec 2023
We had Max in the morning who was very knowledgeable and engaging. In the afternoon we had Ayla and Michelle who were caring and watchful. Had a great day with them. Will highly recommend.
YasminNewell, Oct 2023
The tour covered a lot in a short period of time which was great as we only had a couple of days in Auckland. The guides were knowledgeable and fun.
Leanne_M, Oct 2023
This was a great day tour! We got to see the city of Auckland and then spend the afternoon out at some beaches, lookouts and a rainforest. Our guides Milton and Michelle were absolutely wonderful with their experience, stories and obvious kind and caring nature towards us as guests. All parts of this tour were highlights!
Melany_L, Sep 2023
Alex did the morning tour and was so welcoming of everyone. The tour around Auckland was great and Alex very knowledgeable and could answer every question. We had some lovely stops and learnt a lot about Auckland.
The afternoon saw us with Murray and Erin to go to one of the beaches and also on a beautiful rainforest walk. Both Murray and Erin were also very knowledgeable and it was really interesting to learn about all the different trees and plants, and about the different birds, and about the pests that are destroying this beautiful place.
Thank you Bush and Beach for a great tour. We will definitely book with you again when we come back to NZ!
Don_G, Mar 2023
This is a great way to learn about and see the very best of Auckland`s highlights. For such a large City, the tour offers guests an impressive tour and gives a great insight into the history of Auckland as well.
Anita_G, Feb 2023
walking on Piha Beach
Guides need more training for sure. Alan kept saying the same things over and over again. Did not enjoy the city tour at all.
Kevin was ok. But can rattle of and lost his chain of thought easily making it not such a great experience. He divided the group for the Rainforest walk, knowing well in advance that the other group will be delayed waiting on a couple to join in the tour late. That cut short our experience tremendously. When we are paying so much it needs to be made sure to be fair to the whole group.
Would not recommend these guides at all. The trip can be great with the right amount of correct information.
Daniel_B, Nov 2022
An absolute must if you have only have a short period of time in Auckland. Our guide Wayne was extremely knowledgeable and personable and really made the day. The morning tour of the city highlights was a great way to orientate yourself to Auckland while the afternoon rainforest and beach tour offered wonderful scenery and great photo opportunities. Highly recommend scheduling this tour on your first day or two in the city.
Ruth_C, Jun 2021
There were so many memorable moments on our tour. We were a small group and Tony our guide went out of his way to personalise his comments to our tastes. My tastes are good views and he delivered these in plenty! Without a doubt my highlight was the black sand beaches of Muriwai, the views and the open expanses were breathtaking and Tony's stories just made it perfect. I would definitely recommend this tour to a first time visitor to Auckland (especially as I was a solo traveller)
Response from Host, Jun 2021
Hi Ruth,
Thank you for taking the time to review our tour and we are delighted that you enjoyed your tour with Tony.
All the best and we look forward to seeing you in Auckland again soon.
Kind regards
Ben
Leslie P, Mar 2017
Had Alexander in the morning for the City tour and David and Jeff in the afternoon for the west coast tour. It was a great day of touring and we felt we really got to see Auckland and surroundings on our one day in the city. All 3 guides worked hard to stay on schedule and were a wealth of information all day long. A really exceptional experience! The smaller group size made for an enjoyable day out with plenty of time to see the sights.
Judith A, Feb 2017
I was very impressed with the tour guide. It was a small group of people but all of us felt very informed and rewarded by the experience.
From $177.40
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Auckland City Highlights, Afternoon Piha Beach & Rainforest Tour
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