Backpacking New Zealand on a Stray Bus

TRIPS FOR YOU! Stray is the best travel option for adventurous travellers. Our hop-on hop-off NZ backpacker bus service goes well off the beaten track for local culture and alternative activities – and unlike an ordinary New Zealand bus tour you have the option to get off and stay longer in any place.

With our experience, contacts and expert local knowledge we give you unique access to amazing attractions and activities, stunning scenery, down-to-earth culture and adventure both on and off the beaten track.

Exploring New Zealand on a Stray Backpacker Bus:

Basically you can get on and off the bus wherever you want and stay as long as you want; then just jump on the next bus as it comes back through (view the entire Stray route).

Alternatively you can use our trips as a New Zealand tour – we’ve carefully planned our route and passes with lots of activities fitted in along the way, so even if you’re short on time you’ll still have the chance to experience local culture, unique activities, expert guidance and see the best bits of New Zealand.

Great reasons to choose a Stray Backpacker New Zealand Bus Tour:

+ We provide outstanding trips from day tours to flexible passes covering all of New Zealand.

+ You'll travel with like-minded travellers from all over the world in our brand-new mini-coaches which make it easier to meet people and get off the beaten track.

+ You'll save money with more included on our trips and better value local options.

+ There's total flexibility - you can 'get-on' and 'get-off' anywhere that you want along the way (as often as you like).

+ You have up to twelve months to use the pass and with ‘unlimited travel’ you can use your pass as many times as you like - perfect for truly backpacking New Zealand.

+ We have backpacker hostel, budget hotel, lodge and camping accommodation options and we guarantee your first night’s accommodation in all of our overnight stops.

+ We have one of New Zealand’s newest and greenest (lowest exhaust emissions) backpacker bus fleet.

+ You'll experience local culture, out of the way places and alternative activities.

+ We'll get you deals on New Zealand's best adventure activities.

+ We link attractions on and off the beaten track, taking time to experience NZ and do walks and activities during the travel days.

+ We have the industry's highest rating bus driver guides with market-leading training systems.

With over 25 bus passes to choose from - we've made it simple for you to see what suits you the best.

You can't really go wrong - any of the passes are great for getting out and seeing the real local’s New Zealand - they all include culture, adventure, beautiful scenery and good times with your fellow travellers and driver/guide.

» Find the perfect Stray pass

View and print out current pass timetables - click here

NZ Activity Deals:
Great deals on NZ activities including bungy jumping, caving and sailing trips.

NZ Accommodation Deals:
Check out the latest savings and good deals on accommodation around New Zealand.

Print all latest deals

German Language Option
Das Wichtigste zu Stray - jetzt auch auf deutsch!

Dutch Language Option
Het belangrijkste van Stray – nu ook in het Nederlands!

Spanish Language Option
Lo mas importante sobre Stray!
Ahora también en Español

+ 26% OFF - THE DEAL OF THE DECADE!!
Book a Stray Pass over $600 and get 26% off + 50% off activities!! Read more!

+ STRAY SUPPORTS HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Stray has donated Stray passes to the value of $3300 to the Base Haiti Charity Event. Stray passes will be auctioned off at the events held on Thursday 21st January at the Sydney, Auckland and Christchurch Base Hostels.
If you are a near a Base Hostel please come along and show your support - there may be some great bargains up for grabs!

+ We are running daily to and from the Bay of Islands with the new and improved Jack pass. We uniquely take our time on our way to the Bay with stops at Goat Island Marine reserve for some free snorkeling and new for this summer a free ride in a glass bottomed boat to see the marinelife without getting wet! We also visit the Parry Kauri forest, the Native Bird Recovery Centre, and have a picnic lunch at beautiful Langs beach before arriving at Paihia around 4pm. Travellers get told of the rich local European and Maori history and are greeted by a local Maori who will perform a powhiri (welcome) for the bus when we arrive in the Bay!

+ The Go East pass and Stray Everywhere passes are back! We uniquely work with a local Maori guide to offer this great trip in summer and provide Stray customers the best access to the amazing beaches and coastlines, the special Maori culture and history, and off the beaten track East Cape. We stay both nights absolutely beachfront and enjoy fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, surfing and watching the first sunrise in the world from the beach!.

+ The Burt pass (bottom of New Zealand) is back to being a four day trip including a night in Dunedin and the chance for everyone (including the driver) to spend a night on NZ’s third major island - Stewart Island, to see the untouched wildlife and remote landscapes. Our unique winter stop Gunn’s Camp in Fiordland National Park has proved so popular that we are continuing with it for summer! Stay in historic miners’ cabins in this incredible national park - it is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

+ We have added 4 new 45 seaters for this summer (after previously adding 7 new 44 seaters and 12 new 24 seaters buses over the last 3 years) to ensure Stray has NZ’s newest and greenest backpacker bus fleet (Euro 3 and 4 emissions standards). We have also added a new bus for the Auckland City Orientation that runs on used cooking oil and is in our opinion, the coolest bus ever!!

+ We have a new initiative ‘Polish My Pipi’ beach clean up. On the first day of every month any Stray group that is visiting or staying near a beach will spend a few hours picking up any debris that can find to help keep NZ‘s beaches beautiful for future travellers to enjoy!

View more photos

amazing time with stray!

i have just finished my trip with Stray and i have to say i had an amazing time! my drivers were, cathy, lucky, ricky and apples and all of them know there stuff.
I was on Rickys bus the longest and had some wkd times! the people, the divers and this amazing place called New Zealand just made it the best time ever! if anyone is deciding how to get around NZ in my eyes there is only one way.. the Stray way!
Big thanks to everyone I have met on and off the Bus. LIVE THE DREAM!

Dave Hurley from England!


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