Eco-friendly adventures: The best sustainable tours in Auckland

Are you a conscious traveller looking to minimise your impact through more sustainable choices?

Whether you’re into kayaking across glassy harbours, walking through native forests or sipping wine at a carbon-neutral vineyard, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland offers a mix of responsible travel experiences that consider the land, celebrate local culture and deepen your connection with Auckland’s natural landscapes, cultural roots and diverse communities.

Sustainable sea adventures

As a city surrounded by water, Auckland has an intrinsic connection to the sea, and with that, a desire to protect the wildlife and resources that reside within it. 

Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari takes visitors into the Hauraki Gulf aboard a certified marine research vessel. While it’s a fun and informative opportunity for wildlife encounters on the water, conservation and sustainability is also baked into their mission, which is to preserve species and the environment through research, education and awareness. Your booking contributes directly to these conservation efforts.

Prefer paddles over propellers? Auckland Sea Kayaks offers low-impact (apart from on your heart rate) adventures, including their popular sunset kayak to Rangitoto Island, city lights night tour and Motukorea Browns Island tour. The principle of tiaki — caring for people, place and the future — is embedded in their operations and is something you’ll experience through the way they engage with you and the environment on their tours.

Exploring on foot

Step off the city streets and into native forest with Bush & Beach, pioneers of regenerative tourism in Auckland. Their ethos is centred around the idea that tourism should leave a place better than it was before, and with every booking, a percentage goes towards investing in environmental projects such as planting or pest control. Their popular coast and rainforest walking tour weaves through Te Wao Nai o Tiriwa Waitākere Ranges, combining an awe-inspiring nature walk with knowledge around Māori heritage and native flora and fauna.

Another option for the West Coast, TIME Unlimited Tours is an award-winning Māori-owned business offering immersive, private and small-group tours. Their West Coast tour explores the region’s dramatic natural beauty, while their Auckland Māori luxury tour goes deeper into cultural heritage, visiting local historic and cultural sites of significance and sharing rich narratives. Every tour is guided by a strong connection to te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and a commitment to supporting biodiversity and regeneration projects that give back to the local land and community.

Staying central, Aucky Walky Tours explore the inner city on foot, connecting you with local stories and lesser-known corners of the city through a range of small group or private walking experiences. They follow the Tiaki Promise: walking lightly as a small group through backstreets, using public transport and minimising disruption. Guides spotlight hidden lanes, street art and Māori heritage, while encouraging support for small businesses along the way. They actively practice manaakitanga, welcoming all, including accessible tours and showing genuine community care.

On Waiheke Island, Terra & Tide blend nature, mindfulness and ecology on their certified zero-carbon walking tours. Terra & Tide’s tours take you through beautiful scenery, including beaches, forests and vineyards. Their commitment to conservation is genuine, offsetting 120% of their carbon footprint and actively working to protect the unique environment they work in.

Car-free discovery

Take the scenic route with a smaller footprint. The Auckland Explorer Bus offers hop-on hop-off tours aboard a low-emissions fleet. Tours run daily, with buses departing every 30 minutes. Jump on and off wherever you like, as the bus takes you via many of the city’s popular attractions.

For a two-wheeled tour, Power to the Pedal’s tours explore Auckland’s top sights aboard zero-emission electric bikes. Their guided tours are for small groups and include routes like The Classic (covering up to 25 km of city highlights), The Inside Loop (through vibrant neighbourhoods), and a unique City Lights evening tour via the scenic Te Ara I Whiti Lightpath (aka the Pink Path).

All riders receive open-side headphone systems so they can hear their local guide safely and clearly as they ride. With a commitment to clean travel, top-grade equipment and community-focused commentary, their trips showcase how sustainable urban exploration can be done.

Sustainable island escapes

Waiheke Island is known for its strong community ethos around conservation, regeneration and supporting local. The island fosters a circular economy mindset, reducing waste, encouraging refill culture and embracing locally grown produce. Many of Waiheke’s operators share the same mission to welcome visitors to the island while protecting and enhancing the island’s natural environment. eRide Waiheke’s low-carbon, electric-powered bikes are a great way to explore all corners of the island while contributing to the community’s sustainability efforts.

Ananda Tours offers premium food and wine tours on the island with experienced local guides who will introduce you to Waiheke’s award-winning wineries. Ananda Tours operates with a strong commitment to sustainability. They measure and offset their operations and have policies which aim to minimise their impact. That includes procuring local supplies and supporting local vineyards who are also supporting sustainable practices.

Waiheke Wine Tours also take sustainability seriously, with an EKOS carbon-offsetting certification and a commitment to minimising their environmental footprint through daily actions. They integrate cultural knowledge and Māori history in their tours, with a dedicated cultural ambassador as part of their team. Their guides embody the spirit of Kiwi hospitality, with tours that cater to your specific requests, group size or occasion. With plenty of island insider knowledge to share, you’ll see island highlights but also some of the lesser-known spots to eat and drink.

As far as eco-friendly islands go, it doesn’t get more sustainable than Aotea Great Barrier Island. The first island to go completely single-use cup-free, Great Barrier’s strong commitment to maintaining its untamed landscapes, stunning beaches and pollution-free skies makes it the ultimate off-grid paradise to visit. Remember to bring a reusable cup and water bottle, and before you go, check, clean, and close your gear to help keep this spectacular island pest-free.

With limited light pollution, it’s also one of the best spots for stargazing in Auckland. While visiting the island, be sure to make a stop by Aotea Brewing, where sustainability is deeply embedded in every part of the business ethos, where its people live and breathe four core values: community, zero waste, off the grid, and biodiversity.

Sustainable stays in Auckland

If you’re an eco-conscious traveller, it’s likely you’re looking for accommodation providers who are doing their bit to protect the environment and support their community. Here are some planet-friendly picks for accommodation in Auckland.

• The Hotel Britomart: New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel and Toitū CarbonReduce certified, this property was built with sustainability at the centre of its ethos. Located in the heart of Britomart, you’ve got a shopping and dining precinct right on your doorstep. Downstairs, in-house restaurant, kingi, serves up sustainable seafood, while tracking the precise local fishers and farms supplying every dish.
• Cordis Auckland: Located close to Karangahape Road (K’ Road) and within walking distance of the city’s museum, galleries and retail precincts, Cordis is a comfortable and conscious place to stay. Through its 'Connect' programme, Cordis commits to governance, environmental, community, and colleague wellbeing targets. These include energy and water reductions and partnerships with local social or conservation projects.
• Sudima Auckland City: This contemporary, central hotel is conveniently located within easy walking distance of the bustling shopping, arts, dining and entertainment precincts. Aligning with wider environmental, social and governance objectives, Sudima integrates energy audits, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainability certifications into its operations, so you can feel assured you’ve picked a good spot to rest your head.
• Fable Auckland: This boutique hotel within a treasured heritage building sources organic, sustainably farmed produce, selects eco-friendly room amenities, and partners with wildlife and nature charities, offering guests a chance to give back while staying in style.
• Omana Luxury Villa: Nestled in Waiheke’s green hills, these luxurious villas employ eco-conscious design, support local conservation programmes, and aim to minimise waste and resource use throughout their operations.
• Woodhouse Mountain Lodge: With strong nature‑first principles, this secluded lodge in the Matakana hinterland an hour north of Auckland supports local suppliers, operates in a way that minimises waste, and invests in regenerative planting, native species recovery and habitat protection on its property.
• Rewarewa PurePod: Set in a protected bird corridor just 40 minutes from Auckland, this off-grid glass cabin is powered entirely by solar energy and designed with zero-impact in mind. Guests can wake to kererū and tūī in a protected sanctuary, with no light pollution or hustle in sight.
• Mataia Homestead: This heritage farm stay on the Kaipara Harbour connects you with nature in a quiet rural setting. Mataia also participates in a large-scale conservation project that includes wetland restoration and native forestry.

Eco-friendly places to eat in Auckland

Food tastes better when it’s local and low-waste! While you’re in Auckland, here’s where to dine with the planet in mind:

• Ahi: Chef Ben Bayly’s restaurant in Commercial Bay champions seasonal menus and hyper-local produce from its own community garden. The team’s sustainable ethos extends to waste minimisation and supporting regenerative farming practices.
• Cazador: Specialising in wild game and ethically sourced meat, Cazador in Mt Eden has a nose-to-tail philosophy and a strong focus on reducing waste. Ingredients are local, seasonal, and thoughtfully sourced.
• East Restaurant: A sleek, vegetarian Asian-fusion restaurant using locally grown and sustainably sourced ingredients. Their wine list is 100% organic (or biodynamic) and vegan, supporting artisanal producers and boutique brands.
• Little Bird Kitchen: A pioneer in Auckland’s plant-based scene, Little Bird offers raw, organic, and gluten-free dishes. Their ingredients are locally sourced and waste is kept to a minimum.
• Charlies Gelato: This charming artisan gelateria in Matakana crafts seasonal, small-batch gelato using solar-powered production and produce grown on-site — think vibrant fruit and herb flavours.
• My Fat Puku: This family-run café on Aotea Great Barrier Island serves locally sourced food and organic coffee. They're takeaway coffee cup-free and actively participate in the Island’s waste-reduction programmes.
• The Heke: A vibrant restaurant, bar and distillery located on Waiheke Island, The Heke serves up woodfired pizzas, burgers and a curated menu of Kiwi favourites. Beyond great food and drinks, they lead the way in sustainability, composting over two tonnes of food waste annually and actively participating in community initiatives. Their closed-loop operations prioritise local sourcing, waste reduction, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the island’s environment.
• The Shed at Te Motu: A vineyard restaurant with a seasonal menu that showcases ingredients grown on-site. Their philosophy is all about balance, supporting local suppliers and minimising kitchen waste.
• Esther at QT Auckland: This bold and creative hotel restaurant uses meat only from retired dairy cows who have lived full lives. Their menu celebrates sustainability, ethical sourcing, and reducing food waste through thoughtful menu design.