New Zealand is a country full of incredible things to see and do – from sprawling lakes and snow capped mountains to black sand beaches and world class surfing.
If you’re looking to take in the best of the North Island before heading to the South Island then the Short Moe Pass with Stray New Zealand is for you – starting in Auckland and finishing up in Christchurch
This epic hop on, hop off bus pass takes in heaps of both the North and South Island – from backpacker favourites like Queenstown, Rotorua and Franz Josef to more off the beaten track destinations like Raglan, Whakahoro and Lake Aniwhenua.
With a minimum travel time of 19 days and a maximum travel time of 12 months you can tailor it to suit your own time scale and travel plans.
Loving Queenstown? Extend your stop off!
Fancy some more time chilling at Blue Duck Station? No worries
Stray New Zealand also includes heap of awesome free activities en route too – such as snorkelling, dune surfing, scenic walks, kayaking and Maori blessings, so its much more than just a bus trip!
Explore new places, meet some amazing new travel buddies and soak up all the goodness that New Zealand has to offer!
Looking to do this pass in a loop, or start somewhere other than Auckland?
Then check out the Short Max Pass.
Additional information
| Recommended Travel Time | 21 Days + |
|---|---|
| Start | Auckland |
| Finish | Christchurch |
Day 1
Auckland to Hahei
Accommodation: Exclusive Stray accommodation by the waterfront.
Optional paid activities: Kayaking, scuba diving, bike hire, glass bottom boat tour.
Free activities: Walk to Cathedral Cove, watch the sunrise on the beach, go snorkelling in the marine reserve, explore old cultural sites or simply relax on the beach.
Day 2
Hahei
Accommodation: Exclusive Stray accommodation by the waterfront.
Optional paid activities: Kayaking, scuba diving, bike hire, glass bottom boat tour.
Free activities: Walk to Cathedral Cove, watch the sunrise on the beach, go snorkelling in the marine reserve, explore old cultural sites or simply relax on the beach.
Day 3
Hahei to Rotorua
Accommodation: Comfortable central city hostel
Optional paid activities: White-water rafting, zorbing, adrenaline fuelled adventure park (big swings, bungees and more)
Free activities: Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest walk
Day 4
Rotorua
Accommodation: Comfortable central city hostel
Optional paid activities: Waitomo caving trip, White Island tour, river jet tour, white water rafting, zip lining, zorbing, geothermal parks, luging, Maori village & performance experience
Day 5
Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua
Top-rated ‘Strademark’ experience includes: (Additional cost $89)
- 1 night’s accommodation at the serene lakeside Kohutapu Lodge
- 1 x traditional hangi dinner, dessert and a continental breakfast
- Guided tour to sacred Maori rock carvings
- Introduction to the Murupara area, its people, history and challenges
- Participation in a local school program designed to inspire the next generation (participation available on school days only)
NB. This ‘Strademark’ overnight experience at Lake Aniwhenua is optional, but in our opinion, it’s an absolute must do! To skip this experience, you need to catch an Intercity bus from Rotorua to Taupo and then hop back on the Stray bus the next day in Taupo. Please confirm your pickup with our Reservations team.
Accommodation: Scenic lakefront lodge
Optional paid activities: Hobbiton Movie Set tour
Day 6
Lake Aniwhenua to Blue Duck Station
Accommodation: Country station lodge
Optional paid activities: Skydiving, bungy
Free activities: Huka Falls, Spa Park walk, swim in naturally heated pools
Day 7
Blue Duck Station
Accommodation: Country station lodge
Optional paid activities: An eco-warrior 4WD tour, a half day horse trek, clay bird shooting, kayaking, jet boating, pest control
Free activities: Walk around the amazing Blue Duck property and take in the lush scenery, walk to the Kaiwhakauka waterfall, enjoy your hosts’ fantastic hospitality and stories of the local wildlife and history
Day 8
Blue Duck Station (via Tongariro) to Raetihi
Accommodation: Historic restored lodge with mountain views
Optional paid activities: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, shuttle to Ohakune township, mountain bike Old Coach Road or Fishers Track, hop-off to go skiing/snowboarding (winter only)
Free activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s pool), pet the local farm animals, volunteer tree planting
Day 9
Raetihi to Wellington
Accommodation: Central city hostel
Optional paid activities: Wellington Movie Tours, check out some of the great cafes and bars.
Free activities: Walk Oriental Parade, head up Mt Victoria for fantastic views, visit Te Papa National Museum, gumboot (welly) throwing
Day 10
Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)
NB. The Bluebridge Ferry price is not included in your Stray pass. Please book with your Driver.
Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park
Optional paid activities: Wine tasting, skydiving
Free activities: Walks, mussel tasting around the fire, stargazing
Day 11
Marahau (Abel Tasman)
Accommodation: Unique Stray accommodation on the edge of the national park
Optional paid activities: Full day sailing trip, kayaking, skydiving, water taxi, stand-up paddle boarding, canyoning, hang gliding
Free activities: Walk in the national park, relax on one of the golden sand beaches, go for a swim
Day 12
Marahau (Abel Tasman) to Franz Josef
Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest
Free activities: Buller Gorge, Cape Foulwind Seal Colony, Pancake Rocks and Blow holes, Hokitika greenstone store
Day 13
Franz Josef
Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest
Optional paid activities: Glacier heli-hike (entry to hot pools included), kayaking, skydiving
Free activities: Many excellent bush hikes (we recommend a guided one for safety), relax in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation
Day 14
Franz Josef (via Fox Glacier) to Wanaka
Accommodation: Central Wanaka hostel
Free activities: Lake Matheson walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thunder Creek Falls walk, explore Wanaka
Day 15
Wanaka to Queenstown
Accommodation: Central hostel close to all the action
Optional paid activities: Puzzling World, skydiving, mountain biking, pilot your own stunt plane or learn to fly and take a friend for free, bungy jumping
Free activities: Walk Mt Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge!
Day 16
Queenstown
Accommodation: Central hostel close to all the action
Optional paid activities: Any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up (bungy, swing, jet boating, skydiving, mountain biking, zipline, horse riding…)
Free activities: Fabulous walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town
Day 17
Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook
Accommodation: Stunning alpine lodge
Optional paid activities: Argo tour of alpine region, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Free activities: Take photos of awe-inspiring scenery, do one of the many great short walks to the Hooker glacial lake (weather dependent), stargazing
Day 18
Mt Cook (via Tekapo) to Rangitata
Accommodation: One of Canterbury’s original sheep stations
Optional paid activities: Tekapo Hot Springs, Ice skating (April-Sept), Snow tubing (June-Sept)
Free activities: Visit Lake Tekapo, Mt John observatory walk, Rangitata forest walks
Day 19
Rangitata to Christchurch
Accommodation: Comfortable, modern backpackers near the city centre
Optional paid activities: White water rafting, horse trekking
Free activities: Explore Christchurch by foot, check out the Re-Start Mall, Cardboard Cathedral and inner-city street art
Start: Auckland
Finish: Christchurch
Minimum Days: 19 – 22 days
Recommended: 3+ weeks
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Stay at a wilderness lodge in the bush at Raglan – overlooking New Zealand’s premier surf beach.
- See glow-worms and do some amazing caving at Waitomo Caves.
- Overnight stay in Rotorua to experience (smell) the geothermal activity and do extreme white water rafting.
- Stay in the award-winnig Lakefront Lodge at Lake Aniwhenua run by a local Maori family (accommodation, hangi (dinner), breakfast and unique cultural experience all for only $95).
- Stop in at NZ’s largest lake – Lake Taupo (great for skydiving).
- Tongariro National Park (home to the ‘Lord of the Rings’ volcanoes and 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).
- 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!
- Stay at base of NZ’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook.
All bookings must be re-confirmed at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact us on 0064 9 5262149 or support@straytravel.co.nz or visit our Stray Retail branch at 50 Fort Street, Auckland City.
STRAY’S CANCELLATION POLICY
For Stray Hop-on Hop-off travel passes, Stray Journeys and Stray Adventures.
Stray will charge the following fees in the event of booking cancellations:
8+ Days before departure (or open dated): 35% of fare
3-7 Days before departure: 50% of fare Less than 48 Hours: 100% of fare
Cancellations should be made with your original booking agent who may charge an additional fee. If you booked online please contact reservations@straytravel.co.nz
Please note our terms and conditions are subject to change so please check our website for the latest version.
Provider Details
Stray Limited
Free Phone: 1300733048 Phone: +64 95262140
P O Box 112 037 60 Walls Road Penrose Auckland 1642 New Zealand
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