Backpacking NZ onboard a Stray Bus - Flexible NZ Tours

TOUR NZ WITH A FLEXIBLE "GET ON / GET OFF" BUS PASS

Choosing a pass that's right for you

With over 25 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 about in NZ - they all include culture, adventure and good times with your fellow travellers and driver.

NORTH AND SOUTH ISLAND PASSES

New Zealand passes minimum trip times start at 9 days up to 31 days.

Start and finish in Auckland or Christchurch (or anywhere else you want along the route).

You should really try and visit all the Islands (including Stewart Island); if you can - it's a shame to come all this way and not explore all of New Zealand and experience this varied country from top to bottom for the culture, unique activities and the mind-blowing scenery.

NORTH ISLAND PASSES

North Island Passes minimum trip times start at 1 day up to 7 days.

Start and finish in Auckland (though some you can end in Taupo or Wellington if you like).

The North Island is the place to visit if: you only have one week, you really want to see and experience Maori culture, you want volcanoes, boiling mud and geysers, you want to learn about our history (Te Papa - our national museum is in Wellington), and you want to cruise at a beach.

SOUTH ISLAND PASSES

South Island Passes minimum trip times start at 4 days up to 12 days.

Start and finish in Christchurch (some you can start and end in Picton or Queenstown).

The South Island is the place to visit if: you only have two weeks, you want to do the world’s best trekking, rugged mountain scenery, amazing adventure activities, and to experience untouched wilderness.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR PASS?

Depending on your time and situation - you can choose to use your Stray pass as a bus tour whereby you basically stay with the bus the whole journey - doing all the cool things along the way... or you can use it to have fun for the travelling, maybe stop to do some work somewhere and get to know the locals - and then just hop back on the bus whenever you want.

For instance if you had 2 weeks to travel New Zealand and really want to see the South Island:

You may go for the Ron - 13 days - which would be packed full of adventure cruising with the same group of travellers (though it does have a free day in Barrytown and Queenstown included to catch your breath).

Or perhaps the Q Pass - 9 days – the same except without Abel Tasman National Park and Kaikoura - leaving you with 5 days to stop off at one of the places that you really love... (more partying in Queenstown or fishing in Stewart Island..?)

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

We are always here to help with expert knowledge on how to get the most of your time in New Zealand. if you want to ask us questions about anything (big or small) - then post a message in the questions section under News and Views - these get answered reasonably fast or phone or email us at enquiries@straytravel.co.nz