23 Days
Duration
New Zealand
Location

Planning a trip to New Zealand and want to see as much as you can but also not worry about the hassle of getting everything sorted?

Well the Stray Journeys Cook Pass is the ideal way to sort your New Zealand adventure in one easy go!

Packaging in all your transport on the awesome Stray New Zealand buses, accommodation throughout and a huge array of trips and tours across both the North and South Island of New Zealand the Stray Journeys Cook Pass is the perfect way to make the most of what New Zealand has to offer!

The 23 day Stray Journeys Cook Pass stops at all the must see destinations – including Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, Doubtful Sound and of course the adrenaline capital of Queenstown too.

But you’ll also discover some more off the beaten track destination as well – including the likes of Opononi, Makarora and Whakahoro along with your new found travel buddies.

And of course this amazing pass also includes heaps of incredible activities along the way too – from sand boarding and dolphin watching to mountain biking and even an overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound.

So if you want to spend less time planning and piecing together your New Zealand trip and more time enjoying what this incredible country has to offer the Stray Journeys Cook Pass is the way to go!

Travelling in Winter? Check out the Cook Winter Pass instead!

Additional information

StartsAuckland
FinishesAuckland
Tour DatesDeparts every Saturday from 7 October 2017 until 28 April 18
1

Day 1

Auckland to Paihia

Accommodation included: Beachfront hostel

Activities included: Tree hugging huge kauri trees at Parry Kauri Forest, Waipu Cove

Optional activities: Waitangi Treaty Grounds

2

Day 2

Paihia to Opononi

Accommodation included: Comfortable Kiwi lodge

Activities included: Bay of Islands wildlife boat trip

Optional activities: Footprints Waipoua twilight encounter, bone carving

3

Day 3

Opononi to Auckland

Accommodation included: Central city hostel

Activities included: Hokianga Ferry ride, sand boarding, visit Waipoua Forest (NZ’s largest kauri trees), swim in the Kai Iwi Lakes

4

Day 4

Auckland to Hahei (Coromandel)

Accommodation included: Comfortable beachside accommodation

Activities included: Walk to Cathedral Cove, dig a hole at Hot Water Beach

Optional activities: Cathedral Cove Kayaks

5

Day 5

Hahei to Rotorua

Accommodation included: Central city lodge

Activities included: Cultural experience with traditional hangi meal, Kapa Haka (Maori song and dance) and interactive cultural performance

Optional activities: Visit Hobbiton, white water rafting, Zorbing, the luge

6

Day 6

Rotorua to Whakahoro

Accommodation included: Remote country station lodge

Activities included: Visit Huka Falls, 4WD eco-wilderness farm adventure

7

Day 7

Whakahoro to National Park

Accommodation included: Alpine lodge

Activities included: Tongariro Alpine Crossing and transfers, or Taranaki Falls walk and Tawhai Falls (Gollum’s Pool)

8

Day 8

National Park to Wellington

Accommodation included: Central city hostel

Optional activities: Weta Workshop Tour, Te Papa National Museum

9

Day 9

Wellington (via Picton) to Abel Tasman

Accommodation included: Beach accommodation in the national park

Activities included: Bluebridge Ferry trip, winery cellar door visit

10

Day 10

Full day in Abel Tasman

Accommodation included: Beach accommodation in the national park

Activities included: Abel Tasman Track and Aqua Taxi or paddle board hire

11

Day 11

Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs

Accommodation included: Cozy alpine chalets

Activities included: Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa

12

Day 12

Hanmer Springs to Christchurch

Accommodation included: Central city hostel

Activities included: Peninsula walk and seal colony visit

Optional activities: Whale watching, swim with dolphins

13

Day 13

Christchurch to Franz Josef

Accommodation included: Hostel close to all attractions

Activities included: Pounamu jade factory

14

Day 14

Full day at Franz Josef

Accommodation included: Hostel close to all attractions

Optional activities: Glacier Ice Explorer, helicopter flight

15

Day 15

Franz Josef to Makarora

Accommodation included: Unique mountain chalets

Activities included: Walk around Lake Matheson, walk through beech forest to the Blue Pools, jet boat in Mt Aspiring National Park

16

Day 16

Makarora to Doubtful Sound

Accommodation included: Overnight on the boat, anchored within a secluded bay in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Activities included: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, sea kayaking, wildlife spotting

17

Day 17

Doubtful Sound to Queenstown

Accommodation included: Lodge located close to town with awesome views

18 & 19

Day 18 & 19

Full days in Queenstown

Accommodation included: Lodge located close to town with awesome views

Optional activities: AJ Hackett Bungy, Canyon Swing, Skyline Gondola and Luging

20

Day 20

Queenstown to Mt Cook

Accommodation included: Alpine lodge

Activities included: Mountain biking in Wanaka, scenic walk along the Hooker Valley track
Optional activities: Big Sky Stargazing or scenic heli-flight

21

Day 21

Mt Cook to Christchurch

Accommodation included: Central city backpackers

Activities included: Explore Lake Tekapo area

Optional activities: Rangitata white water rafting

22

Day 22

Christchurch to Wellington

Accommodation included: Central city hostel

Activities included: Scenic flight across Cook Strait

23

Day 23

Wellington to Auckland

Today is an express day via National Park back to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland.  We stop along the way for photo opportunities and have lunch in National Park village, before heading back to Auckland for a late afternoon arrival

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bay of Islands wildlife cruise
  • Sand Boarding
  • Visit Tane Mahuta, the ‘Lord of the Forest’, in the Waipoua Forest near Hokianga
  • Cathedral Cove walk / Hot Water Beach
  • Specially-developed Maori cultural experience with hangi, interactive show and story telling
  • Bubbling hot pools / Huka Falls / Bush safari at unique eco-wilderness stop / Tongariro Alpine Crossing / Te Papa National Museum 
  • Abel Tasman National Park / Hanmer Springs / Kaikoura (for dolphin and whale spotting)
  • Franz Josef glacier / Mount Aspiring National Park
  • Two free days in Queenstown / Exclusive overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound
  • Mountain biking in Wanaka / Walk on Hooker Valley track, Mt Cook National Park / Explore Lake Tekapo area

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Experienced tour guide
  • accommodation transfers
  • accommodation
  • meals as indicated
  • Maori welcome/guide in Opononi
  • Tane Mahuta visit
  • Hokianga ferry
  • sand boarding
  • wildlife boat trip spotting dolphins and other marine life
  • Russell Ferry
  • cultural experience with traditional hangi meal
  • interactive cultural performance and exclusive story telling
  • 4WD bush safari/eco-wilderness farm tour
  • Te Papa Museum
  • Bluebridge Ferry (southbound trip) and scenic flight (northbound trip) between North and South Islands
  • Abel Tasman scenic boat transfer
  • winery visit
  • Hanmer Springs Hot Pools
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (In winter the overnight cruise does not operate and is substituted with a Doubtful Sound day cruise, a night in Te Anau, and a glacial valley walk and hot pools in Franz Josef)
  • mountain biking in Wanaka
  • Breakfast (15), dinner (11).

WHAT TO BRING

Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat and sunscreen, motion sickness tablets, water bottle, towel and toiletries, warm clothing and waterproof jacket, insect repellent, camera.

Note:

  • Upgrade accommodation is excluded in Hahei and Doubtful Sound.
  • Standard accommodation is 6-share in Whakahoro.
  • Tours should be reconfirmed at least 48 hours in advance by calling +64 9 526 2140.
  • Luggage should be restricted to 15kg in a single bag, plus a small day pack.

DEPARTURE DATES

The tour is scheduled to depart every Saturday from 7 October 2017 – 28 April 18

Departure pick-up time will be approximately 7am. The exact time of pick up from your Auckland accommodation will be confirmed with you.

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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