Stray Travel offers a wide range of bus routes across New Zealand's north and south islands. Their hop-on hop-off method allows you to get off at any stop you choose, stay there for as long as you like, and then get back on board once you're finished with that destination. The tickets remain valid for a full year, making Stray Travel an ideal choice if you're in New Zealand on an extended vacation (such as a working holiday). You can choose from over 20 different routes depending on what you'd like to see. For instance, their Everywhere Pass takes you on full circuits of both islands and stops off at several points of interest in the islands' interiors, while the Dave Pass cuts a straight line down the north island from Auckland to Wellington and then circles the south island. In addition to transportation, Stay Travel handles booking your first night's accommodation in each stop, provides insight on popular activities and shares local information through informative guides.
The Magic Travellers Network caters to a range of travelers, from backpackers on an extended working holiday to vacationers only in the country for a short stay. The company offers a variety of unlimited hop-on hop-off passes for those staying in New Zealand for a longer period, quite similar to Stray Travel but with slightly different routes and destinations. Alternatively, you can choose from one- to two-week Highlights of New Zealand trips. You'll need to book your trip before arriving in the country, and then you'll be picked up from the airport and taken on your choice of trips, whether you wish to spend 17 days touring both islands or just a week on the north island. Highlights of New Zealand tour prices include accommodation.
Flying Kiwi Adventure Tours caters specifically to the adventure-travel enthusiast. You'll be divided into cook groups to prepare your own meals, set up your own tent accommodations and engage in a range of New Zealand's best outdoor activities--from hiking to bungee jumping. Although the tours are for a set length of time (anywhere from two to 28 days), you can pause your tour at any time to get off the bus and stay in a given area for a little bit longer. Once you hop back on the bus, your itinerary resumes.
