meggies

Are there any bus tours of the Auckland area that leave from Auckland airport?

John71cove

meggies
Go to Google and type in Auckland airport tours.
John

KathyNZ

I have not seen any leave from the airport. This would be due to regulations and security issues. They leave from the bus terminal outside Sky City Casino downtown, and I would think that some if not most will pick up from your downtown hotel. If you are looking for day tours have a look at Great Sights website to start you off.

kaneda

meggies. How long are you in NZ? Why not pick up a car and do it yourself?

mlgb

Touring Auckland City by one's own vehicle is foolish. Parking is difficult, there are many oneway streets, and the road system is not a simple grid. Absolutely not recommended.
If you want to do an independent tour use the Explorer Bus, which does a circle of tourist sites. You can also walk and use public transit. You can take the Airbus into Auckland. There is an I site inside Auckland airport that can give you up to date information also. As far as guided tours, I'm not sure, but check the NZ tourism website.
www.explorerbus.co.nz

jh6000

On a 6-hour layover last year, I just took the Airbus into the city (buy a return tcket before/while boarding) and picked a random spot on Queen Street at which to disembark (not too far from the water is probably a good choice). got to see quite a bit just on foot: the waterfront, the University grounds, the shopping district -- quite enjoyable.

Happy travels.

John H.

Kiwi_acct

If you are up for a bit of walking then the last posters suggestion is a good one.

A bit of a walk along the waterfront is worth the effort. Fromn the Viaduct in the CBD along past the wharves to Tamaki drive. The airporter bus will drop you off right by the waterfront at the ferry building in the CBD. Good central place to start, plus good place to remember to catch the bus back to the airport.

How long do you have in Auckland before you have to head off? If it is up to 12 hours + I would suggest a quick ferry ride out to a gulf island like Waiheke, or Rangitoto, or at least across to Devonport (From same ferry building mentioned above).

If your here for a lesser time, a quick explore round the CBD may be all the time you have.

If you only have a few hours, you could consider staying in the vicinity of the airport at say Butterfly Creek (natrually enough, butterflies but with a good cafe attached).

Or venture out to the Botanical gardens in Manurewa, about 15 minutes from the airport. You will need a cab for this though.

Just a couple of ideas for you.

kaneda

mlgb. Of course you don't tour the city in a car. You park up. I found plenty of parking about ten minutes walk from the city centre. Walked miles, then came back and drove out to the suburbs and walked more miles.

Anyone know if that store with about four floors of (overpriced) collectibles is still downtown?