Backpacking in New Zealand on a Stray Bus

Hi,

I am considering travelling to NZ in November/early December 2012 and doing the Bret Pass (or the Max pass). However, I wondered whether the start days are likely to change between now and then as I need to look into flights and as I am short on time I want to ensure that these tie in well.

Also, I notice that the Bret pass states that it will last between 25 and 27 days. Why is this? If it depends on what day you start, please can you explain the difference between these.

Thanks very much.

By Shirin from UK - 15 May 2012

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Hi Stray,
Me and and a group of 3 other friends are planning on buying the Short Q pass. I've been told that the driver will find our accommodation each night, but I assume we won't always get a quad ensuite or similar as it is subject to availability, am I correct?
Therefore, I was wondering if i should book the accommodation myself beforehand (at the same lodges that are on your list) so that I can be sure we will have the quad rooms?
Will there be any problems that might arise by booking beforehand, and are we responsible for confirming our accommodation ourselves even though we will be staying in the same place as everyone else?

Thanks for your response

By from - 09 May 2012

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hi there, i was wondering where in auckland you do the pickup as i am deciding which hostel to book.

Thanks

By from - 06 May 2012

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Hello, I want to get Max pass and start travelling this weekend but need to visit some friends in Matamata as I tavel through the North island. Do any of the buses go through there or am I better hopping on/off in Rotorua and making my own way there?

By Jennifer from England - 04 May 2012

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I am intending to travel in August. What kind of travel experiences are available for August travelers especially those going to South Island. I also want to see penguins. Is it possible. Last question i am an muslim and have certain dietary requirements. Is it possible to get Halal food on the trip?

By Alex from - 02 May 2012

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Hey,

We were travelling thorugh New Zealand for 1 month. We were in the bus of Wales for a few days and he was playing the same morning song every morning :). Does anybody know the name of this song?

By from - 30 Apr 2012

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hi there, i am thinking of getting the Max Pass and i was wondering how often would we be able to access the internet, to be able to book a seat on the bus.
will most of the hostels have free wifi?

By Alistair from UK - 28 Apr 2012

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Hi,

i just wanted to ask if i can book my accomodation by myself while i go with the Shortmoe through NZ?

By Amelie from Australia - 15 Apr 2012

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Hi Stray,
there are two of us hoping to book the short arthur pass for July but we were hoping to go to the maori village and waitomo caves but we saw that you are not going to be stopping in Rotorua anymore. We only have 3 weeks at the most and we need to start our tour in Christchurch and finish in Auckland.
Is there any other pass that would include these stops in such a small period of time?

By Julianne from - 14 Apr 2012

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Hi Stray?
I am travelling to NZ in mid July. Do I need specific dates or times for whn i start my trip ?I am planning to do the Short Moe and would also like to book the accomodation offer of $135 for 5 days.Does Stray offer suggestions of accomodation for the day before i start my pass in Auckland?
Thanks

By Terese from Ireland - 12 Apr 2012

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Hi there,
I am planning a trip to NZ in July/August. I will be travelling solo and i am 29 yrs old. I would like to ask a few questions:
Is it common for the same people to be on the trip for the specific number of days? When it comes to accomodation, is it arranged that morning and how? Also, are there opportunites to socialise with the other group members at night time?

By Ash from Ireland - 11 Apr 2012

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Hi,

I'm in Wellington and i wanna leave at 23rd May or a few days earlier so I tried A LOT of days with the online booking system but it always said "not available". Is this truely possible?? I can't imagine there are no Wellington northbound busses next month! Or did I tried it too early?!

Looking forward to hearing from you pretty soon

Holger

By Holger from - 10 Apr 2012

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Im going to book the 17day pass from auckland to christchurch....Are you guaranteed a seat on the bus everyday?

By catherine britton from - 08 Apr 2012

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hi,
I have a DAVE pass from Picton to Auckland. the tour takes a minimum of 18 days, lukely for me I have 8 extra days to do it!

Now i would like to know which would be some of the nicest places to stay a day or two longer (as there is not a bus each day) on the south island. I have already seen the north island, i just took the DAVE pass because i have to get back to the airport in Auckland.

thanks in advance
greets Mattijs

By mattijs from belgium - 28 Mar 2012

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hi, i've just booked the DAVE pass foor the south island.
I've been travelling on the north island to all the good surfbeaches with my surfboard. I was now looking for a place to store it while i'll be travelling on the south island as i'm not planning to surf there. unfortionately i havn't found any place to keep it.


Is it possible to take take the surfboard with me on the STRAY busses and to keep in at the hostels while i'm doing day trips?

do you advise me not to take it with me or should it be OK?

By mattijs from belgium - 22 Mar 2012

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Hi Stray,

I have just been through some of the information under "How it works" section and it states -You don’t need a sleeping bag – you can hire bedding for the dorm rooms or get a made-up room in every overnight stop.

The word "hire" surprised me a bit as I assumed the price of the hostel would actually include bedding. Would you please let me know how much roughly thous would be as I would like to work my budget before I arrive?

Cheers

By Marketa from - 13 Mar 2012

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Hello!

I start the max pass at the end of March, I have 29 days to do this, how many stops would you recommend?

Thanks

By Stacey from UK - 06 Mar 2012

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what is the timetable for october 2012. for short Q pass? Is it the same as one which is showing now?

By udayaditya from india - 05 Mar 2012

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Hi Stray...

Bit of a random question but here goes...

I have just received my working visa for NZ for long term travelling and I am very excited! I am taking a HUGE unknown jump as I have never been to NZ before and my initial plans are to leave the UK for July/Aug this year. After reading more about the winter months is this a bad time to begin? I am travelling solo and hoping to meet others alike. I was wanting to start by doing a full tour of NZ and get a feel/introduction of my new surroundings and where I can fit in other fun-packed activities. After this point I hope to jump into some temp work. Are there any others out there that are in the same boat as me!??

By Em from UK - 01 Mar 2012

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Hi Stray....

As Stray says the driver only guarantee the first night, while the tour will stops in Franz Josef for 2 nights, I tried to book myself a place to stay for a second night.
The problem is the dorm rooms at the rainforest backpavker is full on April 4th...will there still be a possibility i get a dorm room with the help of stray driver? or should i book the other type of room now, for my second night?

Thank you

By F from - 28 Feb 2012

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