Outdoor Activity · Auckland CBD

Double Decker Discovery

5.030 Google reviews

Toddlers (0–3)Younger kids (4–8)Older kids (9+)Outdoors

How muchTe utu: $19–$49
Their siteHe pārongo atu anō: vintageviews.co.nz
Last checkedI tirohia: Last checked 9 Aug 2026

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LocationTe wāhi

Auckland CBD

Auckland City

Directions Website

What it is

Dorothy is a genuine 1960s London Routemaster double-decker bus, and she makes a compelling case for seeing Auckland from the top deck. The Double Decker Discovery Tour runs a guided loop through the city's best-known neighbourhoods — Mission Bay, Parnell, K Road, Ponsonby — before crossing the Harbour Bridge, all without passengers needing to manage stops or connections.

The format is a single continuous loop rather than a true hop-on-hop-off service, which suits families who'd rather stay seated and take everything in than navigate a timetable. The open upper deck puts landmarks at eye level in a way a car or coach simply doesn't.

Vintage Views operates Auckland's only Routemaster of this kind, so the bus itself is part of the appeal — a working piece of mid-century British transport history rolling through a Pacific city.

What other parents say

Freddie Grice6 months ago

Great trip doing the pub tour around Auckland. Visiting from the UK, it was great to hop on an old routemaster and explore the UK pubs around Auckland but while also seeing the sights of the city and a little bit of history too! Ben, was great as a guide and good luck with the business!

Luna Smith2 months ago

I had such a great experience on the Vintage Views tour in Auckland. The moment the classic red Routemaster bus arrived, it already felt like something special. Sitting on the top deck gave amazing views of the city, and the whole ride had such a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The guide was friendly, entertaining, and shared lots of interesting stories about Auckland without it feeling too formal. Crossing the Harbour Bridge was definitely the highlight for me, the views of the skyline and harbour were absolutely beautiful from up top. What I loved most was how different this felt from a normal sightseeing tour. The vintage bus gives the whole experience so much charm and character, and you can tell a lot of care has gone into restoring it. It was the perfect mix of history, sightseeing, and fun. I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Auckland.

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Michael Greenwood7 months ago

Auckland sightseeing done right – with a vintage twist! We had an incredible experience with Vintage Views on their 90-minute tour around Auckland. From start to finish, it was relaxed, informative, and genuinely fun. The star of the show is Dorothy, a beautifully restored 1964 Route Master London bus, owned and lovingly maintained by a local family passionate about keeping these classic buses alive so others can enjoy them. Riding through Auckland on a vintage London bus is an experience in itself—comfortable, nostalgic, and completely unique. Our tour guide Sandy was outstanding: knowledgeable, engaging, and entertaining throughout the journey. She struck the perfect balance between sharing fascinating stories and local history while keeping all the passengers smiling and involved. You could tell she truly loves what she does. A huge shout-out as well to Peter, our bus driver, who handled Dorothy with care and confidence, making the ride smooth and enjoyable while navigating Auckland’s streets. The tour takes you past many of Auckland’s most significant landmarks and scenic spots, offering a fresh perspective on the city. Whether you’re visiting Auckland for the first time or you’re a local who thinks they’ve “seen it all,” this tour is a fantastic way to experience the city differently. I would highly recommend Vintage Views to anyone wanting to explore Auckland, learn a bit of history, and enjoy something a little special. An amazing experience, fantastic people, and a brilliant way to spend 90 minutes. I’d happily do it again.

Kirsten Houlihan2 months ago

Fantastic, professional and highly recommend. We hired for daughter’s school Ball and was AMAZING. Year 13 ball. They all ran upstairs on bus. plugged in their music and you could hear them singing up the road. Best thing we ever did. This will be their best memory of Ball. Can’t thank you enough.

Bryce Steele3 months ago

Went on Dorothy today for the tour and what an amazing experience! Was a birthday present from my lovely wife and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I love historical machinery and this was perfect and to see Auckland aswell. Sitting on the upper deck was awesome with views. Recommend to anyone who wants a tour of Auckland and on a beautiful piece of machinery to do so.. Michelle was the tour guide and was very welcoming and has a good sense of humour as well as knowledgeable. Thank you so much Vintage Views

Reviews from Google.