Auckland Scenic Day Tour: Volcanoes, wine and Devonport
Auckland has 56 extinct volcanoes, and this tour takes you to the two that matter most.
An 8-hour guided tour of Auckland covering the city's volcanic peaks, coastal suburbs and wine country, with hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off included. You climb North Head and Mt. Eden for panoramic views, walk through historic Devonport, visit the Wintergardens and Fernery in the Auckland Domain, taste wines in Kumeu, and stop in Riverhead for lunch (at your own cost). Some easy walking is involved. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day scenic tour of Auckland
- Drive over Auckland Harbour Bridge
- Pass through Devonport suburb
- Walk around North Head volcano
- Enjoy views at North Head Historic Reserve
- Visit Auckland Domain Wintergardens and Fernery
- Wine tasting in Kumeu Wine Country
- Lunch stop at Riverhead village
- View coastal scenery from Achilles Point
- Pass by Mission Bay beach
- Pass by Parnell suburb and Rose Garden
- Pass by Auckland crater lake
- Visit Mt. Eden volcano summit
- Drive along scenic road with city views
- Pass through wealthy Coatesville countryside
- Auckland Harbour Bridge passing by
- Devonport passing by
- North Head Historic Reserve 30m
- Auckland Domain 30m
- Kumeu Wine Country Entry included 30m
- Parnell passing by
What’s included
- Hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
- transport by air-conditioned minibus.
- live English-speaking driver and guide throughout the 8 hours.
- wine tasting in Kumeu Wine Country.
- entry to the Auckland Domain, Wintergardens and Fernery.
- access to North Head Historic Reserve and Mt. Eden volcano walks.
Times
- Every day 08:30
Before you book
Operated by Auckland Scenic Tours
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The experience
Devonport comes first: a North Shore township of over 5,000 wooden villas built in the 1800s, streets narrow enough to feel like stepping back a century. The drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, completed in 1959, frames the city and the Hauraki Gulf in a single view before you cross it. From there the tour moves through Mission Bay and along Tamaki Drive, where pohutakawa trees line the coast, then climbs to North Head Historic Reserve. This volcano sits steeped in history with an underground labyrinth of tunnels you walk through. The flat walk around the crater rim opens to 360-degree views of the city, inner harbour and gulf.
Mt. Eden comes next: Auckland's highest volcano at 196 metres, with one of the largest volcanic craters in the city. The walk is easy and the views stretch across the isthmus in all directions. After that the itinerary moves into the countryside: the Kumeu Wine Trail, where you stop to taste, and Riverhead, a historic settlement dating to 1857 that overlooks the Waitemata Harbour's uppermost finger. Lunch is on your own here, but the location itself carries the day's story. You've moved from the urban core through suburbs and into farmland, seeing how the landscape changes as you travel west.
The Auckland Domain closes the loop: two enormous glasshouses called the Wintergardens, a Fernery where you can touch the silver fern, and the museum grounds. The driver narrates throughout, pointing out details like how to read the age of the wooden villas by their construction style, the farms and livestock of West Auckland, and the Coatesville Mansion that sold for $32.5 million. The minibus is air-conditioned, pickup happens at your hotel or cruise ship (luggage can be stored if you're arriving by ship), and the whole day holds together without you arranging transport or entry fees separately.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover Auckland's volcanic peaks and coastal landmarks in one full day with an early start. Skip it if you prefer shorter outings or need flexibility around nap times for children under 10.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 15 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the walk like at North Head and Mt. Eden?
North Head involves a flat walk around the volcano crater with no steep sections, though you do enter some underground tunnels. Mt. Eden is also an easy walk to the 196-metre summit. Both sites require comfortable shoes and a moderate level of fitness. The tour is not recommended for those with mobility or agility issues.
Is lunch included in the Auckland tour?
Lunch is not included. The tour stops in Riverhead, a historic village overlooking the harbour, where you can eat at local restaurants at your own cost. The driver can recommend options.
How does pickup work if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?
The driver picks you up right beside the cruise ship, about 30 metres from where you exit the Customs Hall. Your luggage can be stored in the minibus throughout the tour, and at the end you're dropped at your Auckland hotel or a taxi stand if you're flying out later that day.
What's included in the wine tasting at Kumeu?
Wine tasting at a stop in the Kumeu Wine Country is included in the tour price. You'll sample wines from the West Auckland wine-growing district during the visit.
How many people travel on this tour?
The tour operates in an air-conditioned minibus. Groups larger than 14 can be arranged by discussion with the operator. The standard tour accommodates smaller groups.
What's the difference between North Head and Mt. Eden?
North Head is a historic volcano with underground tunnels you walk through and offers commanding views of the city, inner harbour and Hauraki Gulf from a flat crater-rim walk. Mt. Eden is Auckland's highest volcano at 196 metres with one of the largest volcanic craters in the city and 360-degree views across the isthmus. Both are included on the same tour.
Auckland Scenic Day Tour: Volcanoes, wine and Devonport
8h · EN · at your hotel
from NZ$ 225 per person
≈ US$ 129 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.