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 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 Stewart Island.
With a minimum travel time of 23 days and a maximum travel time of 12 months you can tailor it to suit your own time scale and travel plans.
Queenstown? Extend your stop off!
Waves pumping in Raglan? Stay as long as the swell does!
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 Max Pass.
Additional information
| Recommended Travel Time | 30 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 Raglan
Accommodation: An eco-lodge, near the beach set in native bush.
Optional paid activities: Learn to surf, sunset cruise, dine on fresh fish and chips for dinner
Free activities: Walk to the waterfall, bush walk around Mt Karioi, beach walk, glow-worm spotting in the bush, West Coast sunset, Inspiration Point.
Day 4
Raglan (via Waitomo) to Rotorua
Accommodation: Comfortable central city hostel
Optional paid activities: Waitomo ‘must-do’ caving options or a glow-worm tour, Hobbiton, Tamaki Village
Free activities: Walk around Ruakuri Reserve, Waitomo Valley Caves walk
Day 5
Rotorua to Lake Aniwhenua
Unique Stray Experience: The Lake Aniwhenua overnight experience is $95, which includes comfortable lodge accommodation, a guided tour to sacred Maori rock carvings, a Marae experience, afternoon tea, delicious ‘Hangi’ dinner and buffet breakfast, participation in an altruistic community program.
Accommodation: Scenic lakefront lodge, including afternoon tea, a Hangi dinner and breakfast
Optional paid activities: Night eeling, flax weaving
Day 6
Lake Aniwhenua to Whakahoro
Accommodation: Country station lodge.
Optional paid activities: Taupo: skydiving, bungy.
Free activities: Huka Falls, Spa Road walk.
Day 7
Whakahoro
Accommodation: Country station lodge.
Optional paid activities: An eco-warrior 4WD tour, a one day horse trek, clay bird shooting, kayaking, jet boating, pest control.
Free activities: Walk around the truly amazing property at Whakahoro 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
Whakahoro to National Park
Accommodation: Alpine lodge.
Optional paid activities: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Free activities: Taranaki Falls walk, visit the Volcanic Centre, Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s pool).
Day 9
National Park to Wellington
Accommodation: Central city 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, visit Te Papa National Museum, gumboot (welly) throwing.
Day 10
Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)
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, scenic microlight flight.
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 Westport
Accommodation: Charming character villa in the centre of town.
Optional paid activities: Surfing, caving, craft brewery tour.
Free activities: Westport seal colony, West Coast sunset, Truman Track walk.
Day 13
Westport to Franz Josef
Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest.
Optional activities: Save some coin today!
Free activities: Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and the mighty blowholes, walk along the beach.
Day 14
Franz Josef
Accommodation: Lodge in the middle of the rainforest.
Optional paid activities: The ‘Ice Explorer’ Trip – a short heli-hop onto the glacier followed by an educational tour (entry to hot pools included), kayaking, skydiving.
Free activities: Many excellent bush hikes (but we recommend a guided one for safety). Relax in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation.
Day 15
Franz Josef to Wanaka
Accommodation: Central Wanaka hostel.
Optional paid activities: Save some coin today!
Free activities: Lake Matheson walk, Ship Creek walk, Blue Pools walk, Thundercreek Falls walk, explore Wanaka.
Day 16
Wanaka to Queenstown
Accommodation: Central hostel close to all the action.
Optional paid activities: Puzzling World, skydiving, bungy jumping, mountain biking, pilot your own stunt plane or learn to fly and take a friend for free.
Free activities: Walk Mt Iron, watch people jumping off a bridge!
Day 17
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: Sleep in, great walks, take in beautiful views from this cool resort town.
Day 18
Queenstown to Gunn’s Camp
Accommodation: Historic camp in the heart of Fiordland National Park.
Optional paid activities: Milford Sound cruise (ask the driver about the special Milford Sound + Stewart Island combo).
Free activities: Stunning views, visit the historic museum or take in the incredible surroundings at Gunn’s Camp, Chasm walk.
Day 19
Gunn’s Camp to Invercargill/Stewart Island
Accommodation: Stewart Island backpackers or central hostel in Invercargill.
Optional paid activities: Te Anau Wildlife Centre, catch the ferry to Stewart Island (ask the driver about the special Milford Sound + Stewart Island combo).
Free activities: Humboldt Falls walk, Viewing Gantry walk.
Day 20
Invercargill/Stewart Island to Queenstown
Accommodation: Central hostel close to all the action.
Optional paid activities: Stewart Island: fishing, Village & Bays tour, go to Ulva Island.
Free activities: Explore the island, amazing birdlife, walks through the native parkland (Stewart Island); 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 118-year-old tuatara (Invercargill).
Day 21
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).
Day 22
Mt Cook to Christchurch
Accommodation: Purpose built backpackers near the city centre.
Optional paid activities: Rangitata River rafting (late September – late March only).
Free activities: Take photos of stunning scenery, go for a walk around central Christchurch.
Start: Auckland
Finish: Christchurch
Minimum Days: 23-25 days
Recommended: 4+ 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 at Rotorua to experience (smell) the geothermal activity and do extreme white water rafting.
- Discover history and culture not yet touched by the hand of commercialism at our exclusive stop at Lake Aniwhenua. (includes accommodation, hangi (dinner), breakfast and unique cultural experience all for only $95)
- 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!
- 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.
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
Tour Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Leave a Review