Stray Pass Max SUMMER Important Information: Passengers must re-confirm first travel date 48h in advance. Seat reservations are required and should be made 7 days in advance of departure to guarantee you a seat on the bus. Space may be limited on certain routes and at certain times of the year. Stray makes no guarantee of space if you do not pre-book your seat. This is the range of minimum days it takes to do a pass. They include two nights in Abel Tasman, Franz Josef and usually two nights in Queenstown so you have time to do activities and explore the area. Depending on which day you depart, the number of minimum travel days will lie within the range of days provided. Please check the current timetable on www.straytravel.com to confirm your itinerary. (They are subject to change). Travelpass Details: This is Stray's most popular pass - all of New Zealand in 3-4 weeks. You can start and finish in any place around the route circuit. Your trip takes at least three weeks and is an excellent way to really get to see and experience what NZ has to offer. The longer you stay, the better your NZ experience becomes - so you can hop-off at all your favourite places for a few more days (or weeks!). How It Works: Stray is a nationwide, guided hop-on hop-off bus network. Our passes are totally flexible so you can jump on or off the bus anywhere you want along the way to stay longer, visit friends or even work for a while. If you are short on time you can also use the Stray bus like a tour and complete your pass in minimum days and still enjoy outstanding locations and unique attractions around New Zealand. You need to know: All passes are valid for 12 months from your first day of travel (subject to normal visa restrictions). You manage your own travel bookings online. If you hop off, just login, check the seasonal timetables and update your itinerary. Full terms and conditions are available
Highlights: Here is just a selection of the things you can experience whilst travelling on the Stray Bus. + Experience the Coromandel Peninsula with an overnight stop in Hahei. + Stay at a wilderness lodge in the bush at Raglan + See glow-worms and do some amazing caving at Waitomo Caves. + Overnight stay on a Marae (Maori meeting house) in Mourea includes your accommodation, dinner, breakfast and unique cultural experience all for only $80. + Stop in at Rotorua to experience (smell) the geothermal activity and do extreme white water rafting. + Learn about ancient Maori history, view ancient stone carvings, learn to weave, storytelling around an open fire at LAKE ANIWHENUA. + Tongariro National Park (the volcanoes, Mordor and Mt Doom, NZ s best one day walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing ). + Stay at award-winning conservation stop Whakahoro for wild, wilderness activities! + Wellington NZ s capital city, home to our national museum Te Papa. + Unique overnight and a free day in Abel Tasman National Park (walks, sailing and kayaking options in this stunning area). + Overnight at a beachfront retreat in Punakaiki and experience the remote and rugged West Coast. + Majestic Franz Josef glacier with a free day to hike and explore it. + Spend a few days in Queenstown - the adventure and party capital of NZ! + The stunning fiord of Milford Sound and historic Gunn s Camp. + Stewart Island's natural untouched beauty and wildlife or the Catlins wilderness area for sealions and remote scenery. + Stay at base of NZ's highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook. + High country sheep station in Lord of the Rings scenery at Rangitata. + Kaikoura, for the awe-inspiring whale watching and wildlife spotting. Itinerary Exchange: Please present your STA Travel itinerary upon arrival. STA travel Itineraries must be exchanged for a Stray ticket prior to boarding. This can be done in Auckland/ on your first day of travel. You should have received an email from Stray with instructions on how to book your trip online.
Summary: A comprehensive trip through all of New Zealand for those travellers with 3 weeks or more. Departure Days: Winter route begins 01 May Summer route begins on 01 November Please check current departure days on the timetable Departure Point: All major cities/towns in New Zealand. Passengers must confirm pick up location 48 hours prior to departure Please check the timetable Departure Time: Depending on your departure point, please check the timetable Duration: Minimum reccomended travel time: From Auckland: 23 Days (add 2-3 days in winter) Validity: Pass is valid for 12 months from the first day of travel First day of travel must commence within 12 months of purchase Unlimited Travel is not available for routes north of Auckland, East Cape or Christchurch to Greymouth. Inclusions: - Transport on selected route over each sector (unlimited travel permitted see terms above) - Commentary and sightseeing - Accommodation and activity booking service Not Included: - Accommodation - Meals - Optional activities
- Attraction entrance fees - Interisland Ferry Transfer Information: Airport transfers can be booked separately with STA Travel if required. Optional Extras: The Mourea cultural night is NZ$80 including bed, breakfast and cultural show; and Lake Aniwhenua is NZ$75 including bed, breakfast, hangi meal, traditional Maori welcome ceremony and one activity of your choice. What to Bring: Sunblock, good walking shoes, a day pack, bug repellent (hey, it s not Australia but we still have them), sweatshirt, hat (cap in summer, woollen in winter) and a raincoat/jacket for winter (it doesn t get that cold but you will definitely need these), swimwear, towel (even during the winter months, because you can find some hot pools and springs along the way), oh, and some clothes would be good. It s best to have one reasonably sized backpack or suitcase and less than 18kg of stuff. Include a light daypack (small backpack) for your camera, water bottle, sunblock etc. Reservation Procedure: This is an open dated product; therefore a fixed arrival date will not be booked with the supplier. In order to generate the booking in STAy, passengers are required to provide an approximate start date at the time of booking. In order to make a firm reservation, passengers will need to contact the supplier no less than 7 days prior to their arrival. Operated By: Stray Ltd Activity Level: All levels of fitness Group Size: Maximum 45 Trip Style: Guided, hop on, hop off, small groups
Itinerary: Travel Day 1: Auckland to Hahei Beach (The Coromandel). Depart Auckland from 7.30 am. Onwards we head south travelling to the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. You have the afternoon free for activities. Tonight there is the group option of a classic Kiwi BBQ for dinner. Accommodation: Campsite right on the stunning beach. Optional paid activities: Kayak around beautiful bays to Cathedral Cove. Free activities: Walk to Cathedral Cove, dig your own hot pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent), relax on the beach. Travel Day 2: Hahei to Raglan. Depart Hahei at 7.30am. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach, with cow spotting and a walk to Bridal Veil Falls on the way. Chill out or go hard in this funky surf and arts town. Accommodation: An eco-lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach. Optional paid activities: Learn to surf and then relax on a sunset cruise in the harbour for $99 (save $39) with a $12 group meal of the freshest fish and chips. Free activities: Waterfall walk, bush walk around Mt Karioi, relax on the beach, glowworms in the bush, West Coast sunset, Inspiration Point. Travel Day 3: Raglan (via Waitomo) to Mourea. Depart at 8am. Head to the rural town of Waitomo, with time to explore its famous caves and glowworms. We then head across to the Bay Of Plenty for our unique and special cultural overnight stay. This is an immersion into our indigenous Maori culture and so much more than a show. We learn about Maori traditions, history and culture and become fully interactive with Kapa Haka (Maori song and dance). An unforgettable, genuine and educational night! Accommodation: Unique Stray stay in the Wharenui (Maori meeting house). Optional paid activities: Waitomo must-do caving options Haggas Honking Holes, Lost World, Tumu Tumu Toobing, or a glowworm tour. Cultural night is an allinclusive price of $80 including afternoon tea, dinner, interactive performance, storytelling, bed and breakfast.
Free activities: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk. Travel Day 4: Mourea (via Rotorua) to Lake Aniwhenua. Depart the marae at 8am and head to Rotorua for a free morning to discover its distinctive smell (geothermal areas), culture and adventure. At 12.30pm we do hostel pickups in Rotorua, moving onto Rainbow mountain to meet our local Maori guide, we then head deep into the Kaingaroa to the foothills of the Te Urewera National Park to experience stories, history and culture not yet touched by commercialization that dates back to the first known person to discover NZ (Kupe) Accommodation: Lakefront lodge Optional paid activities: Lake Aniwhenua night is $75 including accommodation, bed and linen, dinner and breakfast. Optional activities include: traditional fishing, eeling, weaving lessons, cooking classes and kayaking. 1 activity costs $10, 2 activities $15 and 3 activities $20. For overnight bush experience (see STRAY ADVENTURES). Free activities: Karakia (maori blessing), relaxing by the lake, walks, explore the lake by dingy Travel Day 5: Lake Aniwhenua (via Taupo) to Whakahoro. We depart at 7am and head to Taupo, see Huka Falls and have time to experience skydiving for the brave! Around 10am we shall head around the lake to the most remote part of the North Island. Our destination is Blue Duck Station, a 5,200 acre high country station that is both a working farm and an environmental conservation leader. Once you arrive, there are plenty of activities for you to partake in. Spend the evening sitting around, listening to tales from this unique region. Accommodation: Country station lodge. Optional paid activities: Skydiving (Taupo) An eco-warrior 4WD tour, horse trek (like a real cowboy), or a fully guided kayak tour, hunting for pests Free activities: Walk around the truly amazing property at Whakahoro and just take in the lush scenery, walk to the Kaiwhakauka waterfall, enjoy your host s fantastic hospitality and stories on the local wildlife and history. Travel Day 6: Whakahoro to National Park. We depart at 7am and head to the active volcanoes and dual World Heritage Site of Tongariro National Park. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world s best one day walks: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. In the evening, reward yourself at the bar or just relax in the spa where we stay. Accommodation: Beautiful alpine lodge.
Optional paid activities: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing (there is a $35 concession/ transport fee to do this hike). Free activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcano Centre, jump in the spa pool at your accommodation. Travel Day 7: National Park to Wellington. Depart at 9am. We head to Wellington, New Zealand s capital city via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. You have the afternoon to cruise or explore windy Wellington. Accommodation: Central hostel. Optional paid activities: Check out some of the great cafes and bars. Free activities: Walk Oriental Parade, head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, and visit Te Papa - our national museum, Parliament tour. Travel Day 8: Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman). We catch the 8am Bluebridge ferry (check-in at 7am) to the South Island where we meet the Stray bus. We then cruise through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson, before heading onto Motueka and our amazing night stop of Marahau, right on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. Optional paid activities: Ferry $50-75, wine tasting, skydiving, microlighting! Free activities: Swim, walk, mussel tasting around the fire. Non Travel Day 9: Marahau (Abel Tasman). You have the day at leisure to explore this stunning, coastal national park. Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park. Optional paid activities: Full day sailing trip, kayaking, skydiving, water taxi, horse riding or hang gliding. Free activities: Walk in the national park or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches! Plant a tree! Travel Day 10: Marahau to Punakaiki.
Depart Marahau at 8.30am. We head for the wild West Coast passing through the Buller Gorge before stopping off at Cape Foulwind to see the seal colony. We head on to our exclusive Stray stop, nestled amongst the native bush in Paparoa National Park. The sunset is a must if the weather is clear. Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest with ocean views. Optional paid activities: Save some coin today. Free activities: Westport seal colony, West coast sunset, walk the Truman Track walk, meet some of the quirky locals. Travel Day 11: Punakaiki to Franz Josef. You have the morning free for activities, then at midday we head into the heart of the West Coast where time almost stands still. We do pick-ups at Greymouth, make a stop in Hokitika then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef glacier. Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest. Optional paid activities: Bone or jade carving Free activities: Punakaiki pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, walk along the beach, sleep in. Non Travel Day 12: Franz Josef. A free day to explore the glacier and take an Ice Explorer trip. Accommodation: Central lodge surrounded by the rainforest. Optional paid activities: Guided heli-hike (Ice Explorer $299), go ice climbing, relax in the local hot pools. Free activities: Many excellent bush hikes (but we recommend a guided one for safety). Warm up and relax after all this in one of NZ s largest spa pools at your accommodation. Travel Day 13: Franz Josef to Wanaka. Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass and Makarora. We pass by the beautiful Lake Hawea and arrive in Wanaka with an afternoon to enjoy this picturesque lakeside town.
Accommodation: Central hostel. Optional paid activities: Puzzle World, fly a plane! Free activities: Mirror Lake walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk, explore Wanaka. Travel Day 14: Wanaka to Queenstown. Depart 11.30am. This morning you have the opportunity to check out amazing views of the lake either by skydiving or walking up Mt Iron! We cruise into Queenstown with a stop at the famous A.J. Hackett Nevis bungy site and then head to the Adventure Capital of the World! Queenstown offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Accommodation: Central hostel. Optional paid activities: Skydiving, bungy jumping. Free activities: Walk Mt Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge! Recommended Non Travel Day 15: Queenstown. Today is yours to explore. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. Accommodation: Central hostel. Optional paid activities: Any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jetboating, rafting, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding ), trip to Milford Sound. Free activities: Sleep in, great walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town. Travel Day 16: Queenstown to Gunn s Camp. Depart from 6.30am onwards. Enjoy the views on the drive past Lake Wakatipu, then get ready for one of the most scenic drives in the world on our way to Milford Sound. We pass through the farmland of Southland and watch it turn into mountains, glacial carved valleys and fiords. We have time to explore Milford and then in the late afternoon we head to our unique overnight stop at Gunn s Camp. Accommodation: Historic camp on the edge of the Hollyford Track in the heart of Fiordland National Park.
Optional paid activities: Milford Sound cruise (there is a great Stray combo deal for this and the Stewart Island). Free activities: Stunning views, Humbolt Falls walk, visit the historic museum or take in the incredible surroundings of a World Heritage National Park at Gunn s Camp. Travel Day 17: Gunn s Camp to Invercargill/Stewart Island. Depart at 8.30am. We start the morning with a great hike up to the Key Summit Track for stunning views over Fiordland mountains. We then head through Southland to Invercargill on the scenic route, next stop Stewart Island! There are also options for those not going to Stewart Island to stay in Invercargill. Accommodation: Cozy hostel. Optional paid activities: Ata Whenua Shadowland, incredible movie about the Fiordland National Park. Stewart Island Ferry. Free activities: Key Summit walk (2 1/2 hours, part of the Routeburn Track - a Great Walk). Travel Day 18: Invercargill/ Stewart Island to Queenstown. The morning is yours to explore the island, meet the locals, go fishing or enjoy some of the walks. We catch the ferry back to the mainland at 3pm. For those who choose not too venture to Stewart Island, we depart Invercargill at 10.30am and head out to Waipapa Point for some sea-lion spotting. We return to Bluff Hill where we meet up with the island-goers before we express back to Queenstown. Accommodation: Central hostel. Optional paid activities: Fishing, hire a scooter, go to Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary Free activities: Explore the island, amazing birdlife, walks through the native parkland (Stewart Island); sea-lion spotting, Bluff Hill walk (Invercargill). Travel Day 19: Queenstown to Aoraki/ Mt Cook. Departures from 8.40am. Onwards we head over the Lindis Pass through the beautiful Mackenzie Country past Lake Pukaki, then head north to our amazing stop at the base of New Zealand s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook, arriving in the early afternoon. If you want to hop off the bus for a few days there are some incredible longer walks (we d recommend leaving climbing Mt Cook to the mountaineers though).
Accommodation: Stunning alpine lodge inside the National Park. Optional paid activities: Take a boat to check out the Tasman glacier and icebergs, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Free activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks through the Hooker Valley. Travel Day 20: Mt Cook to Rangitata. Depart at 8am. We make our way to the Lord of the Rings landscape of Rangitata. We head past scenic Lake Tekapo, with time for photos of the turquoise lake and the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. We arrive late morning in Geraldine, and then head through to spend the night at Rangitata. Accommodation: One of Canterbury s original sheep stations. Optional paid activities: Do an amazing rafting trip, go for a mountain bike, walk or horse ride through Peel Forest. Free activities: Take photos of stunning scenery, food tasting at Geraldine. Travel Day 21: Rangitata to Kaikoura. Depart at 7.30am. It is an express haul across the Canterbury plains to Christchurch where we make pick ups and drop offs at the International Airport. Departing there at 9.45am, we have a beautiful drive up the coast to Kaikoura. You have the afternoon free for activities. Accommodation: Modern and spacious central Hostel Optional paid activities: Whale watching, swimming with seals, swimming with seals or dolphins (pre-booking is advised in summer for dolphin swimming). Try the amazing fresh crayfish!! Free activities: Walk around the peninsula and up to the lookout. Travel Day 22: Kaikoura to Wellington. Depart 8.30am. We wind our way up the rugged coastal roads with stops for photos and a seal colony. Taking the 2pm sailing from Picton, we arrive back into Wellington early evening. Accommodation: Central hostel (Wellington).
Optional paid activities: Ferry ($50-75). Free activities: Seal colony, explore the windy city (Wellington). Travel Day 23: Wellington north (via National Park) to Auckland. Depart at 6:40am. This is an express day via National Park to Auckland. You can hop off anywhere along the way. Important Information: All passengers travelling alone with Stray must be over 16 (16-17 years must complete parental consent form)