Backpacking New Zealand on a Stray Bus

TRIPS FOR YOU! Stray is the best travel option for adventurous travellers. Our hop-on hop-off NZ backpacker bus service goes well off the beaten track for local culture and alternative activities – and unlike an ordinary New Zealand bus tour you have the option to get off and stay longer in any place.

With our experience, contacts and expert local knowledge we give you unique access to amazing attractions and activities, stunning scenery, down-to-earth culture and adventure both on and off the beaten track.

Exploring New Zealand on a Stray Backpacker Bus:

Basically you can get on and off the bus wherever you want and stay as long as you want; then just jump on the next bus as it comes back through (view the entire Stray route).

Alternatively you can use our trips as a New Zealand tour – we’ve carefully planned our route and passes with lots of activities fitted in along the way, so even if you’re short on time you’ll still have the chance to experience local culture, unique activities, expert guidance and see the best bits of New Zealand.

Great reasons to choose a Stray Backpacker New Zealand Bus Tour:

+ We provide outstanding trips from day tours to flexible passes covering all of New Zealand.

+ You'll travel with like-minded travellers from all over the world in our brand-new mini-coaches which make it easier to meet people and get off the beaten track.

+ You'll save money with more included on our trips and better value local options.

+ There's total flexibility - you can 'get-on' and 'get-off' anywhere that you want along the way (as often as you like).

+ You have up to twelve months to use the pass and with ‘unlimited travel’ you can use your pass as many times as you like - perfect for truly backpacking New Zealand.

+ We have backpacker hostel, budget hotel, lodge and camping accommodation options and we guarantee your first night’s accommodation in all of our overnight stops.

+ We have one of New Zealand’s newest and greenest (lowest exhaust emissions) backpacker bus fleet.

+ You'll experience local culture, out of the way places and alternative activities.

+ We'll get you deals on New Zealand's best adventure activities.

+ We link attractions on and off the beaten track, taking time to experience NZ and do walks and activities during the travel days.

+ We have the industry's highest rating bus driver guides with market-leading training systems.

With over 25 bus passes to choose from - we've made it simple for you to see what suits you the best.

You can't really go wrong - any of the passes are great for getting out and seeing the real local’s New Zealand - they all include culture, adventure, beautiful scenery and good times with your fellow travellers and driver/guide.

» Find the perfect Stray pass

» Summer: Nov 08 - Mar 09
» Autumn: Mar - April 09
» Winter: May - Aug 09
» Spring: Sept - Oct 09

*Please note these departure dates are a guide and are subject to change.

NZ Activity Deals:
Great deals on NZ activities including bungy jumping, caving and sailing trips.

NZ Accommodation Deals:
Check out the latest savings and good deals on accommodation around New Zealand.

Print all latest deals

German Language Option
Das Wichtigste zu Stray - jetzt auch auf deutsch!

+ Stray wins Australasian Innovation Award at Golden Backpacks! Read more..

+ Stray Reservations are CLOSED Christmas Day 25th December 2008, and CLOSED New Years Day 1st January 2009.
Please make all seat bookings for travel on Christmas Day 25th and Boxing Day 26th December before 5pm on 24th December 2008.
Bookings for 1st and 2nd January need to be made before 5pm on 31st December 2008.
All buses already travelling on the circuit will depart as usual, but there are no new Stray departures from Auckland or Christchurch on 25th December or 1st January 2009.

+ The Go East pass and Stray Everywhere passes are back! We've worked with East Cape locals to offer this great trip in summer and provide Stray customers the best access to the amazing beaches and coastlines, down-to-earth Maori culture, plus some awesome activities like the Rere rockslide, surfing, fishing, stingray feeding, shark cage diving and the opportunity to visit the White Island marine volcano.

+ We have a new Stray website live from November 1st! Apart from a whole new look it also has a special 'Explore Passes' section, a virtual Stray tour, plus a travellers' area where you can book on and off their buses and leave messages for other travellers.

+ The Auckland City Orientation (Stan pass) will be running every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for summer. Have a free tour around the city and get an insightful look at its attractions and history.

+ The Burt pass (bottom of New Zealand) is going back to being a four day trip including a night in Dunedin and the chance for everyone (including the driver) to spend a night on NZ's third major island - Stewart Island, to see the untouched wildlife and remote landscapes.

+ Our summer timetable is valid from November 1st with six departures south from Auckland from Nov 5th and north from Christchurch from Nov 9th. We will be running daily to and from the Bay of Islands with the Jack pass returning. This means we take our time on our way to the Bay with stops at Goat Island Marine reserve for some free snorkellling, the Parry Kauri forest, Native Bird Recovery Centre, and a picnic lunch at beautiful Langs beach before arriving at Paihia around 4pm.

+ We have worked with one of New Zealand's leading experts in staff training to create an online training module for all Stray drivers to ensure they maintain the industry's highest standards. They are tested in customer service, their knowledge of New Zealand, health and safety, driver skills, and respect and care for our environment.

+ We are continuing with our popular free activity that we had in winter - mussel tasting (with lots of different recipes) around the fire at Abel Tasman National Park. This is one of many opportunities for Stray customers to try local food and is a great way to get the group together and meet people (especially for those starting in the South Island) at our exclusive campsite right at the start of the track into the park.

+ We have added 10 new 24 seater buses over winter (after previously adding 7 new 44 seaters and 2 new 24 seaters buses over 2006 and 2007) to ensure Stray has NZ's newest and greenest backpacker bus fleet (Euro 3 and 4 emissions standards).

View more photos

best. trip. ever.

Just got back from 2 weeks with Stray and i must say, it was the best trip i've taken in FOREVER. much love to Dazza for showing me an awesome time-- not bad for your first trip!
cheers!

Dena from