Tours on board historic steam tug return to the Auckland Heritage Festival

Ports of Auckland return to the Auckland Heritage Festival, running historic boat tours of the port and Waitematā for the seventh year aboard the William C Daldy steam tug; one of our City’s first tug boats after arriving in Auckland in early 1936.

The festival begins on Saturday, 26 September and runs through to Sunday, 11 October with the historic Daldy tours operating three times daily on each Saturday and Sunday; 26 and 27 September, 3, 4, 10 and 11 October at 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

The popularity of the tours means booking is essential. To book call 0800 AK PORT (0800 25 7678).

This year, tours have been extended to 90 minutes giving passengers more time under the Harbour Bridge where the Daldy famously salvaged a piece of the bridge during construction in 1958. The tour also takes passengers around working wharves to explore their port up close, guided by a detailed commentary.

The 90 minute tours are priced at $5 per adult and $1 for children under the age of 16. Ports of Auckland funds the running costs of the tours so all proceeds go to the William C Daldy Preservation Society; a volunteer organisation that works to preserve a valuable part of Auckland’s maritime history. As a result of the organisation’s work, this year, the Daldy celebrates 80 years afloat.

The port also provides brochures for a self-guided walk along the iconic Red Fence throughout the festival. Brochures can be collected from the Voyager Maritime Museum from mid-September or downloaded at www.poal.co.nz. Year round, Auckland’s port celebrates our maritime heritage with free guided boat tours and through its annual open weekend, SeePort, which sees Captain Cook wharf opened up to the community for three days.

For more information on Ports of Auckland’s involvement in the Auckland Heritage Festival click here. For more information on other port tours click here.

ENDS

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