Auckland in Full Colour: The City’s Most Beautiful Views from a Vintage London Bus
Auckland isn’t just a city — it’s a living postcard.
Surrounded by sparkling harbours, volcanic hills, and leafy streets, the city’s natural beauty reveals itself best when you take the time to slow down and simply look around.
And that’s exactly what Vintage Views was built for — an experience that’s as much about how you see Auckland as what you see.
Forget rushed stops and transit-style tours. This is sightseeing reimagined: 90 minutes of skyline, sea, and storytelling from the top deck of a lovingly restored 1960s London Routemaster double-decker bus.
🌆 Seeing Auckland the Way It Was Meant to Be Seen
The first thing people notice about Auckland is its light — the way it shimmers off the harbour and dances across the skyline.
The second thing they notice? How hard it is to take it all in from ground level.
That’s why we brought Dorothy, our Routemaster, to New Zealand: to give the city the vantage point it deserves.
From her elevated top deck, you see the layers of Auckland come alive — the heritage villas of Ponsonby, the spires of Parnell, the green ridges that frame the city’s volcanic past, and the endless blue of the Waitematā Harbour.
Every turn offers another photo, another skyline, another “I didn’t realise it looked like that” moment.
This isn’t sightseeing in a hurry. It’s slow travel at its most beautiful.
🚌 The Bus That’s Become a Landmark
There’s something about the Routemaster that stops people in their tracks.
Bright red, unmistakably British, and timelessly elegant, it’s one of the world’s most loved vehicles — and now one of Auckland’s.
Our bus, affectionately known as Dorothy, is a fully restored 1960s London icon. Her gleaming paintwork, curved glass windows, and brass fittings speak to an era when travel was an experience to savour.
Today, she’s not just part of the view — she is the view. People wave, photographers snap, and every guest aboard becomes part of the living theatre of Auckland’s streetscape.
It’s heritage meeting harbour modernity — a moving celebration of design, nostalgia, and Kiwi hospitality.
🌉 A 90-Minute Tour Through Auckland’s Most Photogenic Landmarks
Auckland has no shortage of must-see spots — but only one tour that connects them all in one seamless, scenic loop.
The Double Decker Discovery Tour begins in central Auckland and meanders through the city’s highlights:
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Sky Tower — Auckland’s unmissable skyline marker.
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Viaduct Harbour — where the city meets the sea.
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Ponsonby Road — heritage homes and café culture.
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Parnell Village — boutique charm in Auckland’s oldest suburb.
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Mission Bay — panoramic ocean views and seaside relaxation.
From historic streets to open waterfronts, the route is curated for flow, not fuss.
You’ll never be checking for the next stop — because you’re already on the perfect one.
📸 A Photographer’s Dream Tour
For anyone with a camera — or a phone with a lens — Vintage Views is a goldmine.
Dorothy’s upper deck acts like a built-in photo platform, letting you frame the city from angles that no street-level tour could ever achieve.
Early morning light gives a soft, golden hue across Ponsonby rooftops. Midday glows on the harbour. Even cloudy days produce reflections that shimmer across the bus’s red panels.
Whether you’re a travel blogger, a professional photographer, or just love a great Instagram shot, this is Auckland from a whole new perspective — literally.
🗣️ Local Stories, Real People
Every Vintage Views tour is guided by a local — not a script.
Our hosts bring Auckland’s personality to life with stories, humour, and heritage. You’ll learn how the city grew, how its neighbourhoods evolved, and how its unique mix of Māori, European, and Pacific culture has shaped the Auckland we know today.
It’s the difference between being driven and being shown around.
That human touch — that sense of connection — is what transforms our tour from a ride into a memory.
💖 Built on Passion, Run with Pride
Vintage Views is a family-owned, Auckland-based business built by Benjamin Dale, a tourism veteran with over 20 years of experience.
The idea wasn’t to create just another sightseeing product — it was to create something authentic, heartfelt, and lasting.
Every detail — from the bus restoration to the route selection — reflects a love for the city and for great storytelling.
You feel that passion the moment you step aboard.
It’s not about size, scale, or corporate polish — it’s about people, pride, and the joy of sharing something beautiful.
💸 Beautiful Views, Honest Value
In a city where experiences often come with premium price tags, Vintage Views remains refreshingly fair.
For $49 per adult and $29 per child, guests enjoy a full 90-minute guided journey, professional commentary, and the comfort of an enclosed, heritage vehicle.
There are no hidden fees, no add-ons, and no confusing passes — just one clear, honest price for Auckland’s most visually stunning tour.
It’s proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to experience the city in style.
🌦️ Every Day, Every Weather
Because Dorothy is fully enclosed (not open-top), you can experience Auckland in any season.
Rainy day? Watch the reflections glimmer off the glass.
Sunny afternoon? Enjoy the sea breeze as the skyline rolls by.
Our tours run daily, year-round — ensuring that whenever you visit Auckland, the best view in the city is ready for you.
🧭 Why Vintage Views Has Become Auckland’s Must-Do
Travellers and locals alike keep telling us the same thing: this tour feels different.
It’s easygoing, photogenic, personal, and deeply Auckland.
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It’s beautifully designed.
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It’s locally owned.
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It’s inspired by history but made for today.
In a world of fast travel, Vintage Views brings back the magic of moving slowly and seeing fully.
🎟️ Experience the Beauty Yourself
Whether you’re visiting Auckland for the first time or seeing your hometown through new eyes, Vintage Views is the city’s most unforgettable perspective.
🕒 90 minutes | 🎟️ Adults $49 | 📍 Departs from Central Auckland Daily
🌐 Book online at vintageviews.co.nz
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