Trip Highlights See all the amazing highlights of New Zealand s North and South Islands in one flexible round trip from Auckland, as you make new friends on this fun Kiwi Discovery! This open-dated, hop-on-hop-off bus pass is valid for 12 months: Enjoy unlimited stop offs and travel for a whole year or complete the tour circuit in a minimum of 28 days Visit the beautiful Bay of Islands, surf at Raglan, spot glow-worms at Waitomo Caves, enjoy a unique Maori cultural experience and stop off in bubbling Rotorua Trek in Tongariro National Park, explore Wellington, go wild on a country farm in Whakahoro, discover Abel Tasman National Park, travel along the rugged West Coast and visit impressive Franz Josef Glacier Have fun in Queenstown, the adventure and party capital of NZ, be awed by the natural wonder of Milford Sound, visit historic Gunn s Camp, hop across to unspoilt Stewart Island and spot wildlife at Kaikoura Up to 12 months from 599 1/12
Trip Overview Are you looking for the ultimate New Zealand travel adventure? Snap up this open-dated, hop-on-hop-off bus pass valid for 12 months of flexible travel in NZ! See all the highlights of New Zealand's North and South Islands, experience local culture and try amazing activities en route. You can complete the tour route in as little as 28 days or you can hop on and off wherever you want for up to a year. Enjoy highlights including the Bay of Islands, Wellington, Rotorua, Queenstown, Tongariro NP, Lake Taupo, Franz Josef Glacier, Stewart Island and Lord of the Rings country. Whether you are looking for culture, relaxation and sensational scenery in unspoilt New Zealand, or you want to turn up the dial with some action and adventure, this flexible bus tour has it all! Trip Details This open-dated, hop-on-hop-off bus pass offers the ultimate flexibility for travel, as you can spend as long as you want in each stop off along the tour route. Starting and ending in Auckland, the route runs through the North and South New Zealand Islands. You don't have to start in Auckland though. You can join the route at any point! 2/12
Valid for 12 months, your bus pass allows you to spend up to a year exploring New Zealand, or if you prefer you can complete the entire tour route in a minimum of 28 days (although we recommend you allow around 38 days to make the most of your Kiwi experience). The suggested itinerary below is based on the absolute minimum number of days it will take to complete the tour route (28 days). However, as this hop-on-hop-off bus pass is valid for 12 months you will be able to spend as long as you like in each stop off along the route, so this itinerary is for guidance only. Day 1: Auckland to Paihia, Bay of Islands Your flexible, hop-on-hop-off bus tour begins today in the lively city of Auckland. An early 7.00am start kicks off your New Zealand tour and you start by travelling to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Your destination is the relaxing seaside town of Paihia, known as the gateway to the Bay. En route, you will stop off to see the majestic Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Forest Park. Spend the afternoon soaking up the vibe along the coast in Paihia. Included/free activities: Visit to Parry Kauri Forest Optional activities: Ferry across to Russell (New Zealand s ex-capital), skydiving, Hole in the Rock boat trip, diving. Day 2: Paihia to Cape Reinga and Back Set off early as you travel along the long, sandy stretch of 90 Mile Beach, right at the very top of New Zealand. En route you ll stop off at Te Paki Stream to try some dune surfing and sandboarding, before arriving at Cape Reinga to see the sensational views over the place where the Pacific meets the Tasman Sea. Maori legend states that Cape Reinga is the point where Maori souls depart the land to return to Hawaiki, their spiritual homeland. Please note: Today is a round day trip from Paihia and you cannot hop off the bus today. Included/free activities: Dune surfing. Day 3: Paihia to Auckland Today is a free day to relax and enjoy Paihia at your leisure. Join a boat cruise and sail around the Bay of Islands, sign up to swim with dolphins, laze on the beach or hike to the famous Harura Falls, located only 3km inland from Paihia. The sight of these beautiful horseshoe falls will take your breath away! In the afternoon the bus will take you back to the bright lights of Auckland. Optional activities: Sailing, swimming with dolphins, kayaking, fishing. Day 4: Auckland to Hahei 3/12
Head south down to the Coromandel Peninsula, a stunning stretch of beautiful forests and pristine beaches. Settle into your exclusive accommodation on the beachfront and head over to Hot Water Beach to dig and relax in your own personal hot water pool! Round off a perfect day with an optional BBQ with your new travelling mates. Included/free activities: Visit Hot Water Beach (tide & weather dependent), explore Cathedral Cove, check out nearby cultural sites or kick back and relax on the beach. Day 5: Hahei Enjoy a full day of relaxing on the beach and living the laid-back NZ dream. Get involved in some exciting optional activities, such as kayaking, scuba diving or cycling, or just watch the sunrise lighting up the beach and pick your spot for a day of chilling. Life doesn t get much better! Included/free activities: Watch the sunrise on the beach, go snorkelling in the marine reserve, go hiking along the coast Optional activities: Kayaking, scuba diving, bike hire, glass bottom boat tour Day 6: Hahei to Raglan Leave Hahei behind and travel on through gorgeous scenery and hop off the bus for a walk to the amazing Bridal Veil Falls. Your next major stop off is in the famous surf town of Raglan, and you will have time to relax, head to the beach or catch some cool vibes in this laid-back surf and arts location. Hang out on the beach, spot glow-worms, go on a bush walk around Mt Karioi, or simply watch the sunset over the sea. Included/free activities: Walk to Bridal Veil Falls, glow-worm spotting in the bush Optional activities: Learn to surf (NZD79) Day 7: Raglan (via Waitomo) to Rotorua Depart Raglan at 8am and hit the road again, en route to the rural town of Waitomo, famous for its glowworm caves. Take some time to explore these amazing caves which dance with the light of the tiny glowworms, a unique experience you ll never forget! Carry on to Rotorua, home of the famous Hobbiton Movie set! Opt to explore the mythical hills and houses of the Shire or grab a few drinks in Rotorua as the sun goes down. Included/free activities: Walk around Rakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk Optional activities: Hobbiton tour, glow-worm tour Day 8: Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua 4/12
A free morning allows you to make the most of Rotorua s many adventure activity options. At midday you ll head deep into the amazing Kaingaroa Forest, and make tracks for the foothills of the Te Urewera National Park where you will get an authentic taste of Maori culture and history, experience a Karakia (Maori blessing) and listen to some traditional Maori stories with your local guide. You can try some unique optional activities. You will spend the night in a lodge by beautiful Lake Aniwhenua (extra cost)*. *Lake Aniwhenua night is NZD89 including accommodation, bed and linen, a tour of sacred Maori rock carvings, a Marae experience, community activities, dinner, dessert and breakfast. This overnight experience is optional but highly recommended! Included/free activities: Guided Tour with a local Maori, Karakia (maori blessing), relax by the lake, walks. Optional activities: traditional fishing, eeling, weaving lessons, cooking classes and kayaking. 1 activity NZD10, 2 activities NZD15 and 3 activities NZD20. Day 9: Lake Aniwhenua (via Taupo) to Whakahoro After breakfast, you ll support the local community and drop off lunch to kids at a local school, and then pay a visit to the stunning Huka Falls en route to Lake Taupo. Huka is Maori for foam and these frothing falls tumble through a narrow gorge on the Waikato River, making for a spectacular sight. Marvel at the beauty of Lake Taupo, the world s largest Crater Lake, and if you re feeling brave, try the optional and popular adrenaline activity skydiving! Soar through the skies above Lake Taupo and see New Zealand from a bird s eye view (extra cost of around NZD250). Your destination is a traditional NZ station, or country farm, set in 7,200 acres and a great place to try new activities. This working farm is in Whakahoro and is also known for its commitment to conservation, and you can explore the lush scenery, take a walk to the local Kaiwhakauka waterfall or learn about the local wildlife and history from the station owner. Included/free activities: Huka Falls visit, Spa Road walk. Optional activities: Skydiving, bungy, river jet (Taupo). Day 10: Whakahoro Explore your remote farm location today. Enjoy the stunning scenery, explore the station on foot, walk to the mighty Kaiwhakauka waterfall, enjoy your host s hospitality and learn about the local wildlife and history. Or try a range of exciting optional activities, which include horse trekking, a 4WD tour, kayaking and much more! Optional activities: An eco-warrior 4WD tour, day s horse trek, clay bird shooting, kayaking, jet boating, help with the station s pest control. 5/12
Day 11: Whakahoro (via Tongariro National Park) to Raetihi It s an early start today as you make tracks for Tongariro National Park, famous for its sensational scenery and active volcanic landscape. Enjoy exploring this area, trek to Taranaki Falls or visit the Volcanic Centre to learn all about this unique region. If you want to experience the wonders of the National Park on foot, then you can join the optional day hike across the legendary Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This is rated as one of the world s best 1-day walks and for an extra cost you can participate in this unforgettable Tongariro hike! Tonight, you ll stay in a cosy historic Nurses Home in Raetihi, complete with farm animals, pamper room and spa! Included/free activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum s pool). Optional activities: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. Day 12: Raetihi to Wellington Travel towards New Zealand s capital city, Wellington. Along the route you will make some short stop offs in Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls towns. When you arrive in Wellington you then have a free afternoon to explore the delights of this lively capital city, and chill out in its many cafes and bars. Why not take a walk along the Oriental Parade, head out of town and up amazing Mount Victoria for some incredible city views, or get cultural at the Te Papa National Museum? Day 13: Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman National Park) Cruise across the water this morning on an 8am ferry from the North to the South Island (extra cost of approx. NZD55). Hop back on the bus and travel through the famous wine-making Marlborough region, where you can take part in an optional wine tasting experience if you re feeling thirsty! Travel via the coastal towns of Nelson and Motueka until you reach the beautiful coastal settlement of Marahau, located right by the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. Included/free activities: Walk, mussel tasting around the fire, star gazing. Optional activities: Wine tasting, skydiving. Day 14: Marahau (Abel Tasman National Park) Spend a whole day discovering the delights of Abel Tasman National Park at your own pace. Take a water taxi to one of the park s stunning bays, go kayaking or relax on beautiful golden beaches. If you want to pick up the pace you can choose from a range of exciting optional activities! Optional activities: Full day sailing trip, kayaking, skydiving, water taxi, hang gliding, stand up paddleboarding. 6/12
Day 15: Marahau to Westport Travel along the wilderness of the West Coast today. You ll pass through the Buller Gorge before stopping off at Cape Foulwind, where you can see the amazing fur seal colony. Your final destination of the day is the historic coal mining town of Westport. Don t miss the sunset in this idyllic spot! Included/free activities: Westport seal colony, sunset, Truman Track walk. Optional activities: Surfing, horse riding, jet boating, caving. Day 16: Westport to Franz Josef Continue your journey along the rugged West Coast and stop off to see the unusual Punakaiki Pancake Rocks with their impressive blowholes. Stop off at the mining town of Greymouth and Hokitika en route to Franz Josef. Included/free activities: Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes; walk along the beach. Day 17: Franz Josef Today is a free day to explore the area around the Franz Josef Glacier, an incredible sheet of ice that tumbles out of the mountain range and into the lush green rainforest below. Join a guided bush hike, or enjoy the ultimate Franz Josef adventure a heli-hop and tour of the unique icy area, including entry to hot pools (extra cost of NZD250). Optional activities: Guided bush hikes, Ice Explorer trip (heli-hop, tour, hot pools), kayaking, skydiving. Day 18: Franz Josef to Wanaka A 9am start takes you towards the charming lakeside town of Wanaka, located on Lake Wanaka. En route you will take in the magical, mirrored Lake Matheson on a walk, stop at Fox Glacier, journey through the mountainous Haast Pass and Makarora and pass by the amazing Lake Hawea, before arriving in Wanaka in the late afternoon. Day 19-20: Wanaka to Queenstown Enjoy awesome views of Lake Wanaka this morning with a free early walk up Mount Iron or an earlybird skydive (extra cost). Leaving at 10.30am, adventure is the name of the game today as your next stop is the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Not only is Queenstown famous for its action activities but it also boasts some of New Zealand s best nightlife so it s the ultimate party town! Enjoy two nights in the adventure loving city. Optional activities: Puzzling World, skydiving, bungy jumping, pilot your own microlight plane. 7/12
Day 21: Queenstown to Gunn s Camp Start early for a scenic drive past Lake Wakatipu, seeing the stunning landscape fly by outside your window. Travel through farmland, mountains, valleys and fiords, before arriving in magical Milford Sound. This stunning lake and mountain range is straight out of the movies. Opt to do a Milford Sound boat cruise (extra cost) before travelling on to Gunn s Camp, situated in the peaceful Hollyford Valley. Included/free activities: Museum visit, World Heritage National Park at Gunn s Camp, Chasm walk. Optional activities: Milford Sound Cruise. Day 22: Gunn s Camp to Invercargill/Stewart Island Start your day with a leisurely stroll through beautiful beech forests on a Viewing Gantry walk. Discover the lovely landscape of Fiordland, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Te Wahipounamu. In the afternoon,r you ll travel even further South to Invercargill. From here you can hop across to Stewart Island (ferry fare at own cost), where you can explore, meet the locals, try fishing or wander along the walking trails. If you prefer you can choose to stay in Invercargill overnight instead. Included/free activities: Humbolt Falls walk, viewing Gantry walk. Optional activities: Fiordland National Park movie, Te Anau Wildlife Centre. Day 23: Invercargill/Stewart Island to Queenstown If you stayed on Stewart Island, enjoy a free morning discovering the delights of the island before catching an afternoon ferry (extra cost) back to the mainland. If you chose to stay in Invercargill overnight, you ll head out on a tour to see Waipapa Point, Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay for sealion, penguin and dolphin spotting. All travellers will meet up to travel back to Queenstown at the end of the day. Included/free activities: Explore the island, birdwatching, walks through the native parkland (Stewart Island only). Visit the start/end point for State Highway 1, sea-lion, penguin, dolphin spotting, find Burt Munro s World s Fastest Indian, Bluff Hill walk, visit Henry the 100 year old Tuatara (Invercargill only). Optional activities: Stewart Island: fishing, hire a scooter, go to Ulva Island, kayaking, diving. Day 24: Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook 8/12
Departing early from Queenstown, you travel across the Lindis Pass through picturesque Mackenzie Country and past Lake Pukaki. Next stop is north, and you arrive at the base of New Zealand s highest mountain Aoraki/ Mt Cook in the early afternoon. Take a short walk to the Hooker glacial lake, join a 4WD tour of the Alpine region or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Opt to join a dinghy cruise across the lake and see mighty icebergs rolling in the water. Optional activities: Tour of Alpine Region, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Dinghy cruise. Day 25: Mount Cook to Christchurch Travel through Rangitata this morning. Rangitata is Lord of the Rings country, and today you ll spend some time around the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, where you can try optional activities such as ice-skating, snow tubing or swimming at hot springs (winter months only). By early afternoon you ll have moved on to Geraldine where you can try white water rafting! Spend the night in the wonderful city of Christchurch. Included/free activities: Walk through Peel Forest. Optional activities: Ice-skating, snow tubing, swim at alpine hot springs (winter only). Day 26: Christchurch to Kaikoura Travel on along the beautiful coast to Kaikoura and try fun activities this afternoon. Spot seals at Goose Bay, soak up the spectacular views from the lookout point, swim with dolphins or go whalespotting (seasonal). Optional activities: Whale watching, piloting your own plane, swimming with dolphins, fishing. Day 27: Kaikoura (via Picton) to Wellington Travel along the wild coast, stopping at a seal colony en route to Picton. You can choose to stop off here, and enjoy free fishing and mountain biking, or catch a ferry (extra cost of NZD51-75) across the Cook Strait to Wellington. Included/free activities: Seal colony. If you stay in Picton: Queen Charlotte Sound View walk, mountain biking, fishing or relax in the spa. Day 28: Wellington to Auckland Leaving at 6.40am, you ll zip back to your starting point in Auckland today, arriving in the late afternoon. Here your epic hop-on-hop-off adventures come to an end! Don t forget, you can hop on and off along the route for up to a year! 9/12
Please Note: This itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change. There are lots of extra, optional activities on offer all along the tour route and all optional activities are at your own, extra cost. Ferry costs are not included in your trip price. Please note: You can travel the loop as many times as you like. Travellers on their first loop will be given priority. If you are travelling a section of the loop again, you must book this journey in advance through the local team. Travel between Auckland and Cape Reinga, and Christchurch and Greymouth cannot be travelled more than once. Please contact us for more information. Arrival Information You should plan your own transport to arrive in Auckland for the start of your bus tour. As day 1 begins with an early 7.00am bus departure, you will need to plan your arrival in to Auckland for the previous day before the tour starts, and arrange accommodation at your own cost. We can help advise you about accommodation in Auckland, just ask one of our travel advisors for more information. The flexible tour route ends back in Auckland. Accommodation & Meals Accommodation and meals are not included as part of this hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Each stop-off on the bus route offers unique accommodation options, which we offer our travellers at a reasonable cost, with a typical night costing about NZD25-30 for a dorm room and NZD60-80 for a twin or double room*. We reserve accommodation in all our overnight stops so you ll be guaranteed one night s accommodation in each overnight stop if you want it. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, tell your guide/driver and they will book it for you, and you pay as you go. If you wish to choose your own accommodation, or want to stay longer in any of the locations along the route, to make the most of your 12 months flexible bus pass, then you are free to select your own accommodation and your guide can help you with advice and booking. Our reserved choice of accommodation along the route is exclusive to this tour, and offers unique and amazing places to stay. These include a variety of hostels, wilderness lodges and cabins in amazing off the beaten track locations as well as on a sheep station, a country farm, rainforest lodges and in a Marae (a Maori meeting house)! The optional night at Lake Aniwhenua is NZD89 including accommodation, bed and linen, a tour of sacred Maori rock carvings, a Marae experience, community activities, afternoon tea, dinner and breakfast. *Please note: in peak season twins and double rooms may have limited availability. 10/12
Most of the recommended accommodation en route offers self-catering facilities, and the tour stops off at supermarkets so you can stock up on supplies. Group meal options are sometimes offered. Vegetarian options are readily available. Minimum age & eligibility The minimum age to take part in this bus tour is 18. UK citizens don t need a visa for New Zealand and can stay in the country for up to six months. If you are planning on working at all during your time in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (available to 18-30 year olds) and can do this by visiting the New Zealand Immigration website. We are happy to help, so please don t hesitate to ask us for more details. Group Size Avg 20-30 What's Included Hop-on-hop-off bus pass with 12 months validity Open dated ticket for maximum flexibility All bus transport with guide/driver On-board Wi-Fi package Assistance booking accommodation along the route Visit the beautiful Bay of Islands Visit to Parry Kauri Forest Hot Water Beach relaxation Hahei visit Dune surfing Walk to Bridal Veil Falls Stop off in the surf town of Raglan Visit to Waitomo Caves Huka Falls visit Country farm experience Tongariro National Park visit Free time in Wellington Visit to Abel Tasman National Park See Punakaiki pancake rocks Franz Josef Glacier stop See the fur seals at Cape Foulwind 11/12
Free time in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! Viewing gantry walk in Fiordland Spot wildlife in Kaikoura 24 hour support What's not Included Flights Travel Insurance Airport transfers Visas Accommodation (although you have recommended available options along the route) Meals Ferry cost for travel between North and South Islands, and to and from Stewart Island Optional activities (see itinerary) Prices Prices shown are correct on the 12th Apr 2018 and are subject to change Kiwi Discovery Pass - 599 12/12