MY KIWI EXPERIENCE
"The best thing about it is that you meet all sorts of lovely backpackers without even trying. If you're sick of new friends, I suggest you start walking..."
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THE FULL MONTY
You're going to the other side of the world... Might as well see everything it has to offer!
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THE FULL MONTY
You're going to the other side of the world... Might as well see everything it has to offer!
Click here >> for more
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Kiwi Experience: Tours around New Zealand
Developed by travellers for travellers, the Kiwi Experience is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that will take you to all of New Zealand's best bits.Buses are easily the most flexible and affordable way of finding your way around New Zealand, which is why nearly every backpacker to set foot there, comes armed with their very own coach pass. you just need to work out what you've GOT to see, then make your way round at your own pace
It's not as simple as it sounds though. There's almost too much to choose from. We're talking whale-watching, surf beaches, boiling mud lakes and plenty of bungy madness... in other words, the experience of a lifetime.
Like the sound of it? Follow the steps below...
Circular Routes
New Zealand is absolutely packed with jaw-dropping natural wonders and adventurous activities. With this bus pass, you won't miss out on a single thing, from island-hopping in the far north, to Rangitukia (one of the most easterly points on Earth), to penguin-, sea lion- and dolphin-spotting in the far south.
The number 62 it ain't. The views from the bus windows will include awesome mountain peaks, lush forests, deserted yellow beaches, boiling mud lakes, glittering glaciers and the twinkling lights of Queenstown set amongst the Southern Alps...
It travels around the North and South Islands, but misses the most northerly and southerly points. You'll still get plenty of beaches and bungy jumps and whales and white-water rafting though, as well as more breathtaking views than you might otherwise see in a lifetime, so don't worry about missing out...
The Rangi is a fab choice, travelling a bit further north than the Funky Chicken, so you'll get to explore the truly scrumptious islands at Paihia. We're talking hot springs, huge kauri forests and traditional Maori settlements spread across 144 islands. Don't miss 'em!
Christchurch to Auckland
Along the way you can go skydiving at Taupo, seal-spotting at Westport, glacier-hiking at Franz Josef, snowboarding at Queenstown, whale-watching at Christchurch and so much more. Sounds a bit like the trip of a lifetime, doesn't it?
By the end, you'll have new friends from all over the World, thousands of photos that'll make your mates green with envy, and memories to last a lifetime. This is a fantastic one-way pass as it includes a trip up to the Bay of Islands, 144 heavenly islands that really shouldn't be missed.
You can hop on and off the fleet of buses as you like, exploring this awesome country at your own pace. Whether you take a month or a year, though, we reckon you'll spend each leg of the journey with your nose pressed to the bus window, as you pass all those snow-capped mountains, ice-blue lakes and miles of empty beaches...
You'll travel in a big circle from Christchurch, through Kaikoura, Franz Josef and Queenstown. Next you'll cross to the North Island where you'll take in the jaw-dropping scenery of Tongariro, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands. This trip has a bit of everything - you'll never forget it!
Auckland to Christchurch
From Auckland, you'll head up north to the gorgeous Bay of Islands, where you can bathe in hot springs and swim with dolphins. Next you'll travel south through this jewel of a country, stopping at Rotorua with its boiling lakes of mud, visiting Tongariro National Park where Lord of the Rings was filmed, and checking out Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown before reaching the end of your action-packed journey in Christchurch.
From dolphins to penguins, zorbing to bungy jumping, lakes to mountains to islands to rainforest, with the Kitchen Sink pass you won't miss a thing!
In just 16 days you can travel by raft through underground caves full of glow-worms, throw yourself off a massive bungy jump at Queenstown, adventure capital of the World, explore the awesome scenery of River Valley on horseback and much more. And of course, you can take much longer if you like.
So what does it include that the Sheep Dog pass doesn't? Well, there's the chance to stay in a beautiful lodge on the beach and watch the sunset from a hot tub, the chance to ride a horse across the golden sands at Rangitukia, and amazing surfing near Gisbourne, the World's most easterly city. In other words, if you're a beach bum, this one's for you!
Regional passes: North Island
You can start anywhere along the route, travel in a circle and finish where you started. Along the way you can spend as long as you like in Auckland, Mercury Bay, Rotorua, Wellington, Taupo and Waitomo.
The 'winterless north' is one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand - and that's saying something. You'll explore the heavenly Bay of Islands (144 islands scattered in the crystal-clear sea) and visit Cape Reinga at the top of the country, a spot sacred to the Maori. Along the way, swim with dolphins, go sand boarding and more.
Hold your nose as you wander around Rotorua, where there are boiling lakes of sulphorous mud and steam escapes from cracks in the pavement. Go rafting through Waitomo's underground caves, lit by thousands of glow-worms. And get your boots on for the best day hike in NZ, through the jaw-dropping Tongariro National Park.
Along the way you will learn loads about Maori culture, catch some waves on the fantastic surf beach at Gisbourne, explore the area where Whale Rider was based, ride a horse along the beach, be amongst the first people on Earth to watch the sunrise, and stay in a seaside lodge with an outdoor hot tub. Bliss!
Regional passes: South Island
It will give you a taste for all that NZ has to offer, from whale watching at Kaikoura to bungy jumping at Queenstown. There are less famous spots on the route too, such as the 'Poo Pub' at Lake Mahinapua where you'll try a 'wild food feast'. This could include goats' testicles and squashed possum: vegetarians might want an early night...
At each stop you can leave the bus and stay as long as you like: when you want to leave, just get on the next Kiwi Experience bus.
It's the most comprehensive of the South Island passes, so it's the one to go for if you don't want to miss a thing. Want wildlife? How about whales, dolphins, kiwi birds and sea lions. Want scenery? You'll love Abel Tasman National Park and Milford Sound. Want adventurous activities? try skydiving, bungy jumping, snowboarding and much, much more...
Visit the student town of Dunedin, spot dolphins, yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions, catch the ferry to Stewart Island to watch kiwi birds and check out New Zealand's most amazing scenery at Milford Sound (fjords, vast waterfalls and loads more wildlife).
Explore Milford Sound by boat, gazing up at enormous waterfalls, lush forest and towering peaks. Watch out for dolphins, seals and penguins! You'll end the trip with enough gorgeous photos to make your mates green with envy. This really is an area not to be missed...
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