trip planner kiwi experience

What It’s Really Like to Travel New Zealand with Kiwi Experience (Review)

Posted by Francesca Brooking | New Zealand | 0

Heading to New Zealand soon? Read my honest Kiwi Experience review so you can decide if it’s the best way to travel around New Zealand for you.

New Zealand prides itself on being one of the most accessible countries for backpackers. It can be attributed to its good quality hostels and reliable ways to get around the country.

From campervans to bus tours, there isn’t a shortage of transport options at your disposal.

I visited New Zealand as a first-time solo traveller and I decided to book the popular hop-on, hop-off bus tour operator, Kiwi Experience because I didn’t drive and I wanted an easy way to meet other travellers.

If you’re thinking about doing the same, keep reading. In this review of the Kiwi Experience, I share how it works, where it goes and what it’s like travelling around New Zealand on the Big Green Bus.

What is the Kiwi Experience?

kiwi experience review. Green bus on the road in New Zealand.

Kiwi Experience is a flexible hop-on, hop-off bus tour that takes its passengers around the North and South Islands of New Zealand . It’s been going for over 30 years now so it’s a well-established tour operator.

Recognisable by the big green bus, Kiwi Experience tours cover the length and breadth of the country, showing passengers all the bucket list highlights and hidden gems New Zealand has to offer.

Passengers are given a flexible amount of time to complete a tour of their choice, with some tours allowing up to 12 months for completion, hence the ‘hop-on, hop-off’. That’s one of the biggest selling points of the tour.

You can then tailor your itinerary and accommodation along the way to suit your budget and travel style.

Kiwi Experience’s signature green bus has gained a reputation for being a bit of a party bus among the locals as it caters predominantly towards 18-30-year-old backpackers; a little like Freshers Week on tour some say.

Nevertheless, it’s a useful and popular way to travel around New Zealand if you’re a first-time traveller, solo traveller, or simply don’t fancy the hassle of driving.

And you don’t have to get involved with the party antics if you don’t want to. You can always hop off that particular bus and join another one.

For the record, my buses had 18-year-olds up to 60-year-olds so don’t let ’16-30′ put you off!

How the Kiwi Experience works

A girl with blonde hair standing at the back of a boat looking at the water and snow-capped mountains of Milford Sound.

Booking your Kiwi Experience bus pass is as easy as visiting the website and following the steps.

You can tailor your Kiwi Experience how you wish by choosing from a range of flexible hop-on-hop-off passes that cover New Zealand’s North and South Islands in as little or as much detail as you like.

The tour operator also has the option to choose small group tours promising a maximum capacity of no more than 24 people at a time or private tours with just your group.

Although you have a slightly limited amount to choose from, these tours offer a quieter and more personal holiday experience. The small group tours range from 8-24 days and cost from NZ$1599 to NZ$5459.

Dedicated snowsports tours are also available in winter for those wanting to seek out the best slopes and ski resorts the country has to offer.

A typical Kiwi Experience hop-on, hop-off bus pass can be as little as 2 to 25 days minimum, covering specific points of interest along the length and breadth of the country.

Some passes allow you to start and finish anywhere whereas others are limited to the selected starting points.

To break it down, there are eight main types of bus passes you can do:

Start / finish anywhere
North Island only
South Island only
Start in Auckland, finish in Christchurch
Start in Christchurch, finish in Auckland
Start in Wellington, finish in Auckland
Start in Auckland, finish in Queenstown
Start in Queenstown, finish in Auckland

If you want to get your money’s worth then I recommend choosing one of the lengthier bus passes depending on how much time you have.

A) You might as well see as much of the country as you can while you’re there.

B) Kiwi Experience is always running sales on their bus passes so you’re guaranteed to find a bargain.

The beauty of the Kiwi Experience bus pass is that once you buy it, everything is sorted from your transport to your itinerary.

All you need to do is book your flights and have enough money saved up for your accommodation, food, drinks and activities. Easy.

I went all in and booked the biggest Kiwi Experience bus tour for New Zealand – the Whole Kit and Caboodle.

True to its name, it left no stone unturned, covering the very tip of the North Island to the deepest south of the South Island in a minimum of 25 days.

The original price of this whopping tour was NZ$1779 but I managed to bag it for 40% off in a sale, paying NZ$1067. The original price has now gone up to NZ$1899 but keep reading to find out how to save dollars on these tours.

The Whole Kit is the most flexible bus pass on offer, allowing its passengers to start and finish anywhere with unlimited travel for up to 12 months.

Why I did the Kiwi Experience

Milford Sound in New Zealand. Back of a blonde girl's head with a lake and mountains behind.

I was travelling to New Zealand on my own. It was my first official long-haul solo trip so I wanted something hassle-free and easy so I could enjoy my trip without worrying about the intricacies of the itinerary.

The Kiwi Experience provided a safety net with a touch of flexibility, allowing me to strike out on my own when I wanted.

I discovered the bus tour operator through STA Travel (it’s no more, sadly).

It appeared to be the perfect choice for first-time solo travellers who were overwhelmed by the thought of planning a trip to the other side of the world on their own.

Review: what Kiwi Experience is really like

A girl in a white top and black leggings standing and looking out across a long sandy beach. Cape Reinga in New Zealand.

The Kiwi Experience may have gained a reputation for being a party bus, but the tour operator had its fair share of early mornings with scheduled departures long before 10am most days.

I would be lying if I said it wasn’t painful but after a few days of 7am starts it started to get a bit easier. I learnt very quickly that the key was to unpack as little as possible the day before.

The bus spent a minimum of one night at each stop unless scheduled otherwise. Half the day was usually spent driving and the rest of the time was allocated to activities we had booked en route or relaxing at the hostel.

On a few occasions, there was more driving than usual simply because there was a lot of ground to cover. I didn’t mind though as New Zealand wasn’t lacking on the scenery front.

Staring out of the window had never been so interesting! There were always regular pit stops along the way if you got peckish or fancied a stretch. Note, there are no bathrooms onboard the bus.

The drivers are an integral part of the Kiwi Experience tour. Depending on what bus pass you choose, you have several different drivers in one tour that operate on specific routes. Some of them have been doing it for decades.

Your Kiwi Experience bus driver is more than just a driver, they’re your tour guide, entertainment manager and friend.

They’re full of stories about bygone trips, facts about each stop and jokes to make you laugh during the journey.

Read More: 11 of the Best Responsible Tour Operators in the World

The pace of Kiwi Experience tours

A girl with blonde hair sitting on a jetty and looking out across a big blue lake with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Nelson Lakes, New Zealand.

Kiwi Experience can pass very quickly through its scheduled stops so it’s a good idea to hop off from time to time to give yourself a chance to rest, see more of the area and put on a much-needed clothes wash.

If you do decide to stay a bit longer all you need to do is log into your Trip Planner (which you get access to once you book a tour), browse the bus timetable and book the bus that coincides with your dates.

If you need help, fire off a quick email or call the office and let them know the dates you plan to be getting off and what date you would like to be getting back on.

It’s vital to do this a few days in advance, particularly during the peak season (December – March) as buses tend to be full and you don’t want to get stranded – as lovely as each stop is.

Activities you can do with Kiwi Experience

A girl in a red and white striped top and black trousers standing in front of the big red circular door of a hobbit house at Hobitton Movie Set in New Zealand.

Without giving too much of the game away, just some of the activities on offer include:

A cruise around Milford Sound
Skydiving
Adventure sports in Queenstown
Bungee jumping
White water rafting
The Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga
Kayaking
Jet boating
Tamaki Maori Cultural Experience
Glacier walk
Tongariro Crossing (you may need to build in some extra time for this)
Whale watching in Kaikoura
Hobbiton
Plenty of free walks , excursions and cultural experiences

How to book your activities and accommodation with Kiwi Experience

Two girls sitting on the edge of a jetty looking out across a glassy-grey lake with mountains in the distance in New Zealand.

Your bus pass doesn’t include accommodation and activities but they’re easy enough to arrange en route.

Accommodation

Kiwi Experience works with accommodation providers which are typically well-known (and well-rated hostels like Nomads and some cool independent ones like Bazil’s Hostel & Surf School.

On my bus tour, the driver passed around a clipboard for us to sign if we needed somewhere to stay at the next stop and then they called ahead to make the booking for us. It was the same deal for the activities. Then we just showed up and paid.

Now, Kiwi Experience’s Trip Planner is a lot more organised and you can book accommodation and activities at the click of a button. Simply log in and book the accommodation for the minimum number of days (usually one night with the occasional two or three nights).

Accommodation bookings are fully flexible so you can change them as many times as you want without charge in the Trip Planner. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to have accommodation booked at least 48 hours in advance to guarantee somewhere to stay.

If you’re staying somewhere for longer, your easiest option is to arrange extra nights directly with the accommodation or book somewhere different.

I did this a lot through Booking.com (it’s how I got to Genius Level 3 which gives you more savings, by the way!).

On my tour, they passed around a clipboard for activities too and we signed our names next to the ones we wanted to do.

Now you can pre-book in your Trip Planner and make changes to your bookings as much as you like without charge. If you prefer to book as you go, that’s fine too. Kiwi Experience always reserves spots so no one misses out.

Nothing is compulsory (it’s a holiday after all!) and you’re at perfect liberty to make your own activity and accommodation arrangements should you wish.

You just need to make it back to the bus in time.

The pros and cons of travelling with Kiwi Experience

A girl sitting on a rock looking out towards the sea. Cathedra Cove, New Zealand for this Kiwi Experience review.

Pros of Kiwi Experience

1) The Kiwi Experience has a bus pass to suit most budgets so you can spend as much or as little as you want.

2) Its hop-on-hop-off nature allows you to tailor your tour to your own pace, giving you an unhurried and flexible way to experience New Zealand.

3) The company is passionate about its conservation efforts and works to support local businesses wherever it can.

4) You’re with the same group almost 24/7 so it’s a great opportunity to make friends fast.

5) While passes are an initial upfront investment, you can often get exclusive discounts on accommodation and activities.

Cons of Kiwi Experience

1) The demographic on the Kiwi Experience is predominantly a young backpacking crowd so it might not suit everyone’s travelling style.

2) Buses can get full and cliques can form.

3) The bus pass’s flexibility is certainly a bonus but joining a new bus full of travellers can be a daunting prospect if they’ve already had time to form friendship groups.

4) Bus passes for the whole country are expensive.

Cost breakdown of how much I spent

Queenstown from the hill above. Rooftops of houses surrounding a lake with snow-capped mountains in the distance.

New Zealand is well-known for being an expensive country. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of one month on the Kiwi Experience (bus pass included):

*Currency exchange rates are likely to fluctuate, so use the chart as a rough guide.

It’s worth noting that it took me nearly two months to complete my bus tour as I was keen to take my time.

This means that not every hostel and activity is accounted for here but it should be a helpful snapshot of the Kiwi Experience in full swing.

Is the Kiwi Experience value for money?

Snow-capped mountains surrounding a glassy-blue lake. Milford Sound in New Zealand.

Just like any travel experience, you want to make sure what you’re getting is value for money.

I would say if you’re a first-time traveller or solo traveller, the Kiwi Experience is worth the money because you don’t have the hassle of planning transport, activities or accommodation. You can turn up and enjoy the ride.

It’s also cheaper than renting a campervan on your own.

If you’re a more experienced traveller or travelling as a couple or with friends, you might have a better time building your own flexible itinerary with either a campervan or a bus pass like InterCity.

To get the most value for money, buy your bus passes when they’re on sale. Kiwi Experience runs plenty of sales throughout the year.

Kiwi Experience bus tours can get you discounts on selected activities and accommodation so you can save money as you’re travelling too!

Kiwi Experience sustainability initiatives

A person standing on a gold sandy beach at Abel Tasman in New Zealand.

Kiwi Experience prides itself on being a low-impact form of travel.

It stands by the philosophy ‘green, not mean’, a commitment made by the tour operator to protect the communities it visits and the wildlife and nature it interacts with.

Kiwi Experience takes part in numerous projects dedicated to preserving the flora and fauna of New Zealand.

Such projects include tree planting, regular beach cleanups in Westport which save on average 250kg of rubbish from entering the ocean each month and conservation efforts that are crucial to the survival of New Zealand’s iconic native bird, the kiwi.

All Kiwi Experience buses have been fitted with a fuel monitoring system and every driver guide has been trained in ‘Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving’ (SAFED) to support the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions by 20% in the last two years.

Read More: 31 Best Responsible Tourism Destinations

Top tips for travelling with Kiwi Experience

A girl standing next to a retro truck with mountains behind. The Central Otago region of New Zealand.

Use your Trip Planner to look ahead during your tour, book accommodation, check bus timetables and start budgeting for activities.
Do a Kiwi Experience tour during the shoulder or off-peak seasons (April-November) as buses are quieter which means you’re always guaranteed a place on the bus if you book it.
Budget. It’s easy to go a bit crazy and book up anything and everything but some of the top activities can be expensive. Make sure you set aside a budget for the activities you don’t want to miss out on. Talk to your driver if you’re unsure about the costs.
Don’t buy your bus pass at full price. The Kiwi Experience does regular sales so booking your tour far in advance won’t necessarily give you the best rate.
Invest in a freezer bag and a few Tupperware boxes when you’re in New Zealand. More often than not you will be staying in hostels and cooking your own meals, which will mean grocery shopping and leftovers!
Pack comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a little worn and muddy. Kiwi Experience is all about adventure and the outdoors so comfort is key.
If you decide to hop off the bus always make sure you have your next bus confirmed beforehand (particularly during the summer months). I heard plenty of stories of travellers getting stranded for weeks on end because there was simply no more room.
Don’t feel obliged to take part in every single social engagement. It’s your holiday and you’re at perfect liberty to book a private room and get an early night should you wish to.
Don’t miss your chance to do an activity because you think you might do it later instead (I’m talking mainly about skydiving and bungee jumping here). You have no idea if the weather will be in your favour later on and you could miss your chance altogether.
The ferry from the North to South Island is not included with your bus pass so make sure you budget about NZ$20 each way!

Read More: Epic Day Trip From Queenstown You Need to Do

Kiwi Experience Review: My verdict

Green Kiwi Experience bus on a road heading towards a church with snow-capped mountains behind in New Zealand.

The Kiwi Experience is a fun and stress-free way to explore New Zealand. Perfect for first-time solo backpackers, it offers straightforward yet flexible tours that can give you as much or as little independence as you want.

The bus tours provide hassle-free access to some of New Zealand’s most treasured landmarks on the North and South Islands.

Its social vibe allows you to build fast friendships but catering predominantly to a younger demographic, it may not be suitable for older or more seasoned travellers.

Nevertheless, it’s a jam-packed, adventure-fuelled tour that takes you to the heart of New Zealand and beyond.

I loved my experience and it gave me the confidence to push out on my own as a solo traveller.

To find out more about Kiwi Experience hop-on-hop-off bus passes, visit the Kiwi Experience website

Looking for more New Zealand travel tips? These articles can help!

The Best Places to Stay in New Zealand
14 Incredible Hikes On the South Island of New Zealand
The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Solo in New Zealand

Inspired? Save me for later!

pinterest pin for Kiwi Experience review

This post may contain affiliate / compensated links. As an Amazon Associate, I also earn from qualifying purchases. For full information, please see my disclaimer here .

About The Author

Francesca brooking.

Francesca Brooking is the Founder of Little Lost Travel. A travel expert with a passion for the planet, Francesca is on a mission to help you travel well. From Costa Rica to Jordan, she's travelled all over the world. When she's not off on an adventure, she's reviewing sustainable travel products and writing travel guides.

Memberships

Stay connected, get a free guide to sustainable travel.

Become part of the Little Lost Travel community and get:

- a FREE quick guide to sustainable travel

- Monthly newsletter featuring the latest blog posts

No spam, just awesome travel content.

Read our Privacy Policy here.

Thank you! Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

GET A FREE NEW ZEALAND PACKING LIST

Want free and helpful New Zealand travel tips?

SUBSCRIBE and get:

+ Free New Zealand packing list for ALL SEASONS

+ 5-step guide to planning a trip of a lifetime

+ Monthly email with helpful travel tips

Success! Check your inbox to confirm subscription.

By submitting your email you will be subscribed to my monthly newsletter. No spam, just awesome sustainable travel content! Unsubscribe at any time. For more information, visit my Privacy Policy.

Pin It on Pinterest

Last Updated on 23/02/2024

All Kiwi Experiences

New zealand's best bus tour network.

Kiwi Experience has a range of travel styles to help you experience New Zealand your way. Find an adventure to suit your travel needs using the drop-down filters below.

We offer award-winning Hop-on-Hop-Off bus passes and Small Group Tours that take you to the heart of New Zealand. Kiwi Experience takes care of it all, leaving you to focus on making memories and experiencing unrivalled adventures with like-minded travellers from across the globe.

Oops we couldn’t find a suitable pass for you, try again with a different date & starting location combination?

Bay of Islands

Start Auckland | Finish Auckland.

Milford Explorer

Day trip - Start and finish Queenstown.

Bay & Cape

Start Auckland | Finish Auckland

Geyserland and Lake

Start And Finish Anywhere

Northern Highlights

Start Auckland | Finish Wellington.

Start Queenstown | Finish Auckland.

Northern Round Up

Start And Finish Anywhere.

Southern Round Up

South and Sound

Start Wellington | Finish Auckland.

Start Auckland | Finish Queenstown.

Start Auckland | Finish Christchurch

Funky Chicken

Start And Finish Anywhere. UNLIMITED TRAVEL

Top & Tail

Start Auckland | Finish Christchurch.

Southern Secrets

Start and finish in Christchurch. Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

Working Holiday Pass

Hokey Pokey

The Whole Kit & Caboodle

Southern Crossing

Northern Kiwi

Start Wellington | Finish Auckland Accommodation, selected activities and breakfast included

North Island Revive

Start Auckland | Finish Wellington Hotel twin room accommodation, selected activities and breakfast included.

Southern Kiwi

The Grand Kiwi Experience

Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

The G.O.A.T.

The Greatest of All Tours! Accommodation, Selected Activities and Breakfast included.

It's on its way to your inbox.

You're almost there! Simply click on the link we sent you to confirm your email address. Then your e-book will be on its way.

Want to learn more about NZ?

Search for:
Fruit Picking Jobs
Skilled Labour Jobs
Au Pair Jobs
Hospitality Jobs
Office Jobs
RSA Certificate Australian Capital Territory
RSA Certificate Queensland
RSA Certificate New South Wales
RSA Certificate Northern Territory
RSA Certificate South Australia
RSA Certificate Western Australia
RSA Certificate Victoria
RSA Certificate Tasmania
Join Our Facebook Group
Australia Guide
East Coast Australia
Sydney Gap Year
Melbourne Gap Year
Sydney Arrival Package
Melbourne Arrival Package
Working Holiday Visa Australia
Working Holiday Visa New Zealand
USD 0.00 Cart

New Zealand

A complete guide to the kiwi experience, new zealand.

Oh wow. Kiwi experience . Where do I even begin?

I have so many ridiculously special memories that stem from my choice to travel around New Zealand in your big green buses.

I first hopped aboard the famous green bus back in 2015 and went on to spend three weeks cruising and circulating the surreal offerings of the South Island, NZ. I always knew that uncovering just one of the islands on my trip wouldn’t suffice long term, but time had restricted my explorations.

After this incredible trip I let my NZ wanderlust continue to grow from images on Pinterest back in the UK, until I was given an incredible opportunity to return to the land of the long white cloud by Tourism NZ in October 2016.

If any of you have been on the Kiwi Experience, I think you’ll agree when I say that it is impossible to deny the fun , adventurous and true grab-life-by-the-balls backpacker experience that the Kiwi Experience offers.

I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to backpackers solo, group or coupled that are heading out to New Zealand.

A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand | Where's Mollie? A travel and adventure lifestyle blog-13

What is the Kiwi Experience?

The Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s original backpacker bus company and now boasts over 25 buses that roam continually (7 days a week) in the summer months through both the north and south island. In the winter the frequency of buses is slightly less but goes no lower than 3 times a week on the different routes. Kiwi Experience allows you to hop on and hop off of different buses, allowing you to choose how long you spend in each location.

Note: From the day of activation your pass will be valid for 1 year and you will need to complete your route within that time.

Just to confirm… the Kiwi Experience is a HOP-ON-HOP-OFF bus service that will transport you to all the best places in New Zealand.

How does it work? How do you book on?

You simply buy a pass ( see the different passes and routes available here ), book your flight to where you’d like to join the bus, activate your pass for the day you arrive and eagerly await the meeting of your new adventure squad and bus driver.

Together you will cover the most popular destinations on the Kiwi map and you will complete them together. Each destination will bring you a choice of activities which you can then pay for and book on to, to enhance your experience. This is where your money goes… there are SO many insane activities and things to experience in NZ.

My good friend Sammy owns RatPack Travel (a discounted booking platform). The team at RatPack are ready to help you plan and book all your trips and transport for your adventure in New Zealand. Click here to send RatPack a WhatsApp message (+61 450381801) and start planning your trip today. Don’t forget you can use my code MOLLIE10 for 10% off any trip or transport booking you make, including your Kiwi Experience ticket !

Check out my top tips for budgeting for New Zealand here .

A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand | Where's Mollie? A travel and adventure lifestyle blog

I have to say, some of the bus drivers actually MAKE the trips. They aren’t just bus drivers. They all under go pretty extensive training and double up as epic tour guides that inform you on all the history and knowledge of your surroundings, as you drive. Most of them have actually travelled a lot themselves and know exactly how to get the party started too… BONUS.

Important: You must be 18+ to climb aboard Kiwi Experience but there is no maximum age! (Most people are 18-30!)

Tip: Most people start their pass from Auckland or Christchurch, so if you can, do the same! Starting the journey together at the popular points will maximise the time you have with your crew ! Trust me, you will make friends really quickly and will not want to go your separate ways!

My Kiwi Experience location highlights…

I’ve completed the whole of New Zealand with Kiwi Experience except for: Northland (because I did a self drive roadtrip see here ), River Valley and Wellington.

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

See my guide to completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing here
See my Tongariro photo diary here
Watch the full experience and come with my on the adventure here

Skydive over Lake Taupo

Kiwi squad members can also get a $10 pizza and sunset cruise in Taupo!

Click here to read my backpackers guide to Taupo
Click here to read my guide to skydiving

A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand | Where's Mollie? A travel and adventure lifestyle blog-5

See my backpacker’s guide to Queenstown here

A bucket list of destinations for the first time backpacker

Black abyss caving adventure with the glow worms

See the tour details here

Is Kiwi Experience the transport for you?

To help you decide I’ve popped together the pros and cons from my two experiences…

The drives are incredible.

As you’ll be a passenger you can snap snap snap away and truly lose yourself in your surroundings.

Group discounts on tours and activities.

Because the Kiwi Experience are effectively making group bookings at every hostel and activity, you will benefit from the discount of them doing so and will often pay less than if you booked alone. See an example of the activities on offer and the prices on my blog post here .

You don’t have to do the driving.

Distances between locations in New Zealand can be pretty length with some drives being 2-3 hours. Instead of arguing about who’s taking the wheel and who’s sleeping off last nights hangover, you have someone to do the driving for you!

You are guaranteed accommodation for the first night in each location (with some locations guaranteed 2/3 nights).

During peak season, popular hostels can get fully booked out and for a trip with a spontaneous nature, if you were travelling alone, this may leave you without a bed. With Kiwi Experience you know that if you’re on the bus you have a guaranteed bed available for you upon arrival.

You’ll never be alone.

Whilst there are many spots within New Zealand that are filled with people, a lot of it is pretty rural and I for one would definitely prefer to travel New Zealand with friends if I was going for longer than a week. Kiwi Experience ensures you’re always with people which is certainly reassuring. Some of my favourite Kiwi memories were more about the people I was with, not where we were.

Everything is pretty much organised for you.

For those of you heading out on your first adventure or for those you who’s strength don’t lie in organisation… Kiwi Experience have you covered. You’ll be driven to the correct places, advised on the best things to do and be given a million insider tips from the most knowledgeable people out there.

Great for solo travellers.

So many people travel solo on the Kiwi Experience so you most certainly won’t be alone and you will immediately become part of one big family!

Groups can change and you can change groups.

This can be seen as both a positive and a negative. Basically a lot of people will do the minimum route because they are restricted for time but some people will choose to stay in one of the locations longer. If that person is you, obviously your bus driver and your friends will move on to the next location and you will join a new bus passing through when you’re ready to leave. This can be good if you fancy meeting new people or didn’t quite gel with your initial crew.

You get the best advice and it’s free.

Not only do you have the bus guides sharing their wealth of New Zealand knowledge with you but you will also have 30+ other travellers on hand to pass on their recommendations for New Zealand and beyond. Quite often people have come from Australia or are heading their after, as I’m sure you plan to. You will either have awesome advice or new travel buddies!

It can be a bit like a school trip structure wise.

This is the biggest drawback for me, but to be honest I think the advantages outweighs the cons overall. Sometimes you just want to have a lie in or explore at your own pace but with the Kiwi Experience you have to bear in mind that you are one of a big group and there isn’t the flexibility to tailor to everyone’s needs. The buses run on a schedule and you have to stick to it.

Sometimes it is cheaper to book on your own.

Even though you benefit from the group discount on accommodation, if you’re trying to save money wherever possible have a cheeky check online at the prices and of hostels nearby to see if you can get it cheaper. Saying that, you’ll probably want to stay with your new friends so the extra $2-3 dollar bill, I think, is worth it.

Click here to contact Ratpack Travel and see if the 10% discount with the code MOLLIE10 saves you a bit of money!

Sometimes you cannot get on a bus.

This only really applies if you’re a last minute kind of person. You’ll usually be fine but in peak seasons if you try and jump onto a bus leaving in the morning, in the morning, it might not be possible. This is when having some flexibility in your schedule is really valuable.

Little freedom to roam.

If you stick to the minimum time on your route, the itinerary is wonderfully jam packed. This is a real good thing for those that need some assistance in planning and ensures you make the most out of your time, but for those of us more experienced travellers that want to go off and explore the hidden roads and paths, doing a road trip of your own may be more suitable.

Check out my Northland New Zealand road trip here .

Still unsure? Check out this post which will help you decide if group travel or solo travel is better for you!

Mollie’s tips and tricks for the Kiwi Experience…

Sit at the front! Honestly, I don’t know when that became ‘uncool’. You hear the driver’s tips and information the best, you get the best view in the house and you’re first in the queue to check into the hostel! WORD.
Download the FREE Kiwi Experience app to access information, must do’s, free activities and more. Basically… get the most of of your experience!
As soon as you know when you want to travel to the next destination, book your seat on the bus! During peak times, buses get filled up and if there’s no seats, there’s no seats. Should you plan to move on last minute, you will have to hope for a cancellation or take the next available bus.
Check hostels online for prices , sometimes you can get cheaper than what Kiwi offers.
Be flexible with your itinerary so that you can change buses, stick with your friends and/or wait around if an activity is called off due to weather. For example the Tongariro Crossing was number one on my NZ bucket list last year and I knew it was weather dependent, so I left 5 days for it (it’s a day hike) and it was only on the 5th day it re-opened. Had I not left that time, I would have missed out ! New Zealand is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, make sure you prioritise your bucket list activities!
Grab a food bag in the supermarket (or bring one from home) to transport your groceries in
Buy alcohol in Pak N Save (if you’re on a backpacker budget!)
Read my ‘ways to save money when backpacking New Zealand’ here

See more information and the Kiwi Experience passes available on the official website here.

Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand: Everything you need to know

What do Where’s Mollie Global Travellers say about Kiwi Experience?

“Fantastic experience !! Top 3 things (so hard to pick!) – Taupo Skydive, River Valley and Queenstown. Top tip would be to research the activities before you go…otherwise spontaneity kicks in and you spend soooo much!” Sam Pagan

“I absolutely loved my time on the Kiwi Experience! Such an easy and fun way to travel NZ, especially as a solo traveler as you make so many friends. Beware a lot of time spent on the coach travelling but the scenery is always stunning and you’ll have great company! Also make sure you save a good amount of money as you’ll want to do all the activities and they are quite costly!” Hannah Smith

“River Valley was one of my favourite places, it was a hostel that resembled a massive cabin and there was no phone signal so everyone actually had to talk and play games. The 4 and a half hour monopoly game was definately a highlight! I also loved that the drivers were so approachable and joined in with activities and group socials!” James Steel

“Louis and I loved it, which we were surprised at because we did it as a couple! Top 2 things to do are the white water rafting in River Valley (incredible and in the middle of no where) and the gondola / luge in Queenstown which is like real life mario kart with an amazing view! Lastly, the scenery whilst driving along is beautiful, I found myself grabbing my phone for a photo at nearly every turn! I’d do it all over again, so worth the money.” Lauren Algar

“Such a good way to travel if you’re new to the whole thing and solo. Was my first time travelling alone and really helped me get into the swing of things. You just fill out what you want to do/ stay and they sort it out. One of my favourites was the Tamaki Maori village. With the bus you get to stay over night and actually get to know the people on your bus and the people who run the village.” Jenny Hill

Have you been to New Zealand with Kiwi Experience?

What did you think? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

A weekend itinerary for Byron Bay

The best things to do in Bright, Victoria

The best things to do in Canberra, Australia

The best things to do in Nicaragua

Top tips for solo female van life

The best travel destinations for LGBTQ+ travellers

The best things to do in Wellington, New Zealand

Top tips for a USA coast to coast road trip

The best things to do in Central America

The best things to do in Sri Lanka

The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala

The best things to do and see in Mexico

A guide to backpacking Europe on a budget

21 things you need to know before travelling in Cuba

The ultimate 2-week road trip itinerary for New Zealand

A guide to backpacking the Cyclades Islands, Greece

A guide to volunteering in rural Australia

The best things to do on the central NSW Coast, Australia

A guide to moving to Dubai

The best hikes in New Zealand

Top tips for travelling in Costa Rica

The best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

A guide to visiting Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

A guide to visiting Monteverde, Costa Rica

The ultimate Santa Teresa travel guide, Costa Rica

A guide to travelling from the UK to the EU after Brexit

The best Airbnbs in Cornwall, England

The best things to do in New Zealand

A guide to driving from England to Portugal

A complete guide to Antarctica

The realities of travelling to India: 10 things you should know before you go

A complete guide to travelling in Albania

19 top tips for travelling during Covid-19

A beginner’s guide to hostels: everything you need to know

20 of the best day trips from Sydney

18 hiking tips for beginners: Things you should know

10 essential vehicle checks before a road trip

Top tips for travelling solo as a female

25 top tips for travelling on a budget

Working holiday visas in New Zealand: everything you need to know

Farm work in Australia: Finding a job, top tips and advice

22 top tips for travelling in Europe

The ultimate guide to exploring Bali, Indonesia

Visiting Fraser Island and The Whitsundays on a backpacker budget

10 tips for dealing with the travel blues

A guide to freedom camping on the east coast of Australia

Top tips when planning and researching for your next adventure

A bucket list of destinations for the first-time backpacker

A guide to skydiving in Australia

Hiring a camper van in Australia and New Zealand: Your questions answered

A UK road trip check list: Things to remember

A complete guide to solo travel in Australia

Solo travel vs group travel – which should you do?

The best Airbnb stays in the UK

Everything you need to know about getting PADI certified

20 important things that I would like to tell my 18 year old self

The 42 best travel apps to have on your phone

How to budget for a month in Thailand

Volunteering in an elephant sanctuary in Surin, Thailand

A beginner’s guide to hiking

Should you solo travel? A WMGT panel talk at Balance Festival, London

12 tips for staying safe when travelling solo

How to spend 48 hours in Berlin, Germany

3 days on Fraser Island with Drop Bear Adventures

Who should you travel with this year?

A guide to Fraser Island: which trip should you book?

The perfect 4-day Sydney itinerary, Australia

8 hikes to go on in Queenstown, New Zealand

A packing list for the ultimate camping experience

Video: A Great Ocean Road road trip from Melbourne

A 7-day Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary

A guide to planning your safari in Kenya

How to plan your Iceland road trip plus our 5-day itinerary

The Great Ocean Road: A planning guide and 5-day itinerary

‘If I could plan my gap year again’ with Backpacking Bananas

A complete guide to the 5-day ‘Uluru Discovery’ tour with Topdeck

Video: A complete guide to your working holiday visa in Australia

How to live life more fully through adventure…

The ups and downs of solo travel… is it worth it?

The BIG solo travel chat! Your questions answered…

The ultimate packing and shopping list for Burning Man, Nevada

A backpacker’s guide to Queenstown, New Zealand

A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand

A complete guide to Bali, Indonesia

My top tips when planning your adventure in Austria

WMGT Snowdonia: The first adventure

Escape the city! Camping in Surrey Hills, UK

A complete guide to budgeting for backpacking Australia

14 best things to do on the East Coast of Australia

‘A Beginners Guide To Hostels’ Your Questions Answered…

Sit back, relax and see the UK with Trainline

A guide to budgeting for travelling Bali, Indonesia

A Melbourne to Sydney road trip: the places you cannot miss!

How social media is destroying our generation of travellers…

A guide to Melbourne, Australia

23 lessons I learnt from solo travelling

A guide to Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia

GoPro for travelling: Settings, attachments and editing apps

My top tips and travel hacks for Bali, Indonesia

Canyoneering in Badian, Cebu, Philippines

Diving With Manta Rays, Nusa Lembongan

A guide to St. Kilda, Melbourne

A complete guide to Byron Bay, Australia

11 top tips for visiting New Zealand

9 Ways To Become A Spontaneous Traveller

Hostel Guide: Where to stay in Sydney

A 1-day Byron Bay road trip ft. Mount Warning at Sunrise and Lennox Head

How to choose a hostel in Byron Bay…

How to budget for backpacking New Zealand

What your New Zealand Roadtrip Could Look Like…

Getting Around Australia with Loka

Sailing The Whitsundays on board The Atlantic Clipper

Nomads Fraser Island Tag Along Tour

10 Mini Adventures To Go On In Auckland, New Zealand

Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsundays: my photo diary

10 reasons why New Zealand should be your next destination

My 5-day Northland road trip itinerary, New Zealand

14 ways to save money when travelling New Zealand

A Backpacker’s Guide To Taupo, New Zealand

The best day hike in New Zealand: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

How to plan for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand

How to survive long haul flights in Economy class

My birthday at Magic Cottages, Takou River, New Zealand

Overcoming pre-travel nerves and goodbyes

Where Am I Going Next? My 4 Month Solo Adventure

The Ultimate Festival Packing Check List

A complete 48-hour guide to London

Should you do a SkyDive? Lake Tahoe, California

How To Choose The Best Hostel To Stay In

Booking Accommodation with Homestay

10 Reasons I Prefer Hostels to Hotels

Flying Pig Downtown Hostel, Amsterdam: my review

22 top tips for solo travel in Southeast Asia

Tsitsikamma, South Africa – Cliff Jumping, Liloing + Outdoor Adventure

How to make friends when travelling solo

REVIEW: Vietnam Backpacker Hostel Collection

A backpacker’s guide to Hanoi, Vietnam

My experience visiting the floating villages at Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia

Umahku Hostel, Seminyak

Vaccinations and Visas: Specific for Bali, Cambodia and Vietnam

Why exploring with a local is the best way to discover somewhere new…

How to spend 3 days in Sydney, Australia

Part 4 #contikistorytellers – Farm Stay, Spot X Surf Camp & our final stop… Sydney

Part 3 #contikistorytellers – Currumbin Sanctuary & Byron Bay

Part 1 #contikistorytellers – Sailing the Whitsundays, Queensland

VIDEO – My Guide to New Zealand | Tips, tricks and planning your adventure

VIDEO | My Guide To Packing Your Backpack

10 Adventures To Go On When You’re 20 Something…

25 best things to do in Sydney, Australia

13 ways to save money whilst backpacking Australia

GoPro footage from the East Coast of Australia ♡

The Falls Festival, Byron Bay | New Year 2015

Backpacking Australia – Tips, Tricks and Help planning your trip… – VIDEO

Fraser Island with Cool Dingo – Part 1

Sailing The Whitsundays On Board The Condor

Great Barrier Reef & Hartley’s Crocodile Farm – Cairns, Australia ♡

Top 10 things to do in Queenstown, NZ

Drive from Franz Josef through to Lake Wanaka ♡

Franz Josef Glacier – My first heli ride 🙂

Paddleboarding, beach bonfire and fresh steaks ♡ Westport, New Zealand

Kaiteriteri & Nelsons Lake ♡

Blenheim. The home of New Zealand wine…

Fishing with Captain Gerry ♡ Kaikoura, New Zealand

Christchurch, NZ

Backpacking Thailand – Tips, Tricks and Planning Your Trip… | VIDEO

My 10 Packing Essentials when backpacking South East Asia

How to prepare for South East Asia | Visa, Insurance and Jabs

Our final weekend in Singapore & coming home

Chiang Mai – Jungle Trek + Elephants + Bamboo Rafting

Bangkok part 2 – Thai New Year, Songkram

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

I can’t do this without you.

Pin and save this blog post for later…

Working Holiday Guide

1 thoughts on “ a complete guide to the kiwi experience, new zealand ”.

I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.

Kiwi Experience Review: What is it Really Like to Travel with Kiwi Experience?

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, a kiwi experience review.

It’s like a bus tour that’s not a bus tour… What?! Yep, some of the Kiwi Experience reviews can be pretty confusing. That’s why we’re giving it a go ourselves to finally answer the question: what is it really like to travel on the Kiwi Experience bus? We’ll go through the experience of booking your Kiwi Experience bus pass, what a typical day is like on the bus, about hopping on and off the bus, what the vibe is like, and most importantly, is a Kiwi Experience bus pass really worth it?

Note that this is a review of Kiwi Experience’s hop-on hop-off bus tours; not their small-group tours. What’s the difference? T ake a look at What is the Difference Between the Buses in New Zealand? and What is a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus?

Where to Book a Kiwi Experience Bus Pass

The first thing to note about Kiwi Experience is how easy it is to book your hop-on hop-off bus pass with them. You don’t need to decide on a travel date right here, right now. Your bus pass is valid to activate for up to 12 months after purchase. Only once activated (i.e. you book your first day travelling on the bus) does your 12 months of unlimited travel with Kiwi Experience start.

There are four easy ways to book your bus pass that we recommend:

Kiwi Experience website – Perfect for those who love to have travel plans sorted early! Be sure to keep an eye out for seasonal deals.
The Kiwi Experience shop in Auckland – Go straight to the source at Kiwi’s Experience’s HQ on Beach Road, Auckland
TourRadar – They have regular sales and the tour website is a good place to compare routes, prices and reviews with other New Zealand bus tour companies
Travel agents in New Zealand – We always find it cheaper to book with travel agents in New Zealand than with agents overseas. It’s likely that the first hostel you stay at will be able to book a Kiwi Experience bus pass for you.

A Typical Day With Kiwi Experience

One of the things that other Kiwi Experience reviews tend to be unclear about is what is it actually like to spend a typical day with them. One thing is for sure: every day is an adventure! There is, of course, some method to it all and you can expect the following:

Morning on the Kiwi Experience Bus

You’ll catch the bus at a prearranged time and place, usually between 7 am to 10 am outside of the accommodation that the bus passengers stayed the previous night. Your Driver Guide will tick you off the list, put your luggage on board, and on you go! Before setting off, your Driver Guide will tell everyone the plan for the day then you’ll hit the road.

Part way through the morning journey, you’ll stop for refreshments and a toilet break. By this time, you’ll already have met some new mates on the bus or reminisced on the antics from the day before.

Afternoon on the Kiwi Experience Bus

Clipboards will start making their way around the bus with some simple forms to fill out to let the driver know which accommodation you are staying at, what type of room, how many nights, and what activities you want to be booked for you at today’s end destination. You have the flexibility to either choose the hostel or lodge recommended by Kiwi Experience (which is where most passengers choose to stay) or let the driver know if you have other arrangements.

As for activities, your Driver Guide, who has tried them all countless times, lets you know what each experience is like so you know what you’re getting yourself into. But just remember, the Driver Guide is on commission to sell as many tours as possible. With that in mind, some guides can be a little pushy, saying that every skydive the bus tours come across are “the best in New Zealand”. For activities that can be done in multiple locations, like skydiving, we definitely recommend doing some prior research on NZ Pocket Guide *cheeky wink*.

Once you have chosen your accommodation and activities, all you have to do is sit back and mingle with your fellow travellers while your driver sorts out all the nitty-gritty stuff.

Throughout the afternoon, you’ll stop for lunch, be given the opportunity to stock up on supplies at a supermarket and stop at a few free attractions along the way. Mind-blowing hikes to majestic waterfalls are a regular occurrence! Or scenic coastal walks to seal colonies! Not to mention all the photo stops along the way! It’s the sort of experience you would never get if you were, for example, taking the InterCity bus .

Early Afternoon on the Kiwi Experience Bus

You’ll arrive at today’s final destination right outside of your accommodation. You will have ample time to check in, check out the hostel you are staying in (some have stunning riverside and lakeside locations), and then start one of the paid activities that your driver booked for you: white water rafting, bungy jumping, zorbing, horse trekking, sailing… New Zealand is your playground. All paid activities are optional. Your driver takes out the hassle of getting to your activity by either driving you straight there (and picking you up when you’re done) or recommending more free activities within walking distance of your accommodation.

Need more clarification on what it’s like to travel on a hop-on hop-off bus like Kiwi Experience, check out A Day in the Life of a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Passenger .

Booking the Next Trip

Following on from our typical Kiwi Experience day, the next day you can experience another day on the bus adventuring and heading toward the next destination on the route. Alternatively, you can choose to stay off the bus and “hop on” at a late date. Here’s what it’s like to book back onto the next bus:

How to Hop Back on the Bus

As soon as you know what date you want to get the next bus and continue on the route, you need to let the Kiwi Experience team know! You can only get back on the bus if there is a seat available for you, which can be a bit of a mission in the busy summer months. The best way to book your place on the bus is to give Kiwi Experience a call (+64 9 336 4286). They will tell you the next available dates to get back on the bus from your location. The booking process over the phone is super quick and simple – just make sure you have your passenger number handy!

How Often Do the Kiwi Experience Buses Run?

In the summer months ( December – February ) there’s a Kiwi Experience bus departing from each location they visit every day. There are departures around five times per week during March , October and November . In winter, the low season, buses depart once every two days.

For advice on when to visit New Zealand, check out When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

Departure times and pick-up points are super easy to look up on the Kiwi Experience website, with all their latest timetables posted!

Some Exceptions

Some days on the Kiwi Experience bus are a little different, so we thought we’d let you know some exceptions (or more like exceptional days)!

Trip to Milford Sound

It’s on everyone’s bucket list: the towering majestic mountains and glimmering waters of the breathtaking Milford Sound ! When you arrive in Queenstown with Kiwi Experience, you have the option to take a day trip to Milford Sound on the Kiwi Experience bus the next day. The day trip starts and ends in Queenstown, taking you to Milford Sound for a stunning cruise . The day still includes refreshment stops, but you’ll be on the bus a little longer than usual. A must-do!

North Island-South Island Ferry Crossing

To get between the North Island and the South Island , you’ll need to take the ferry. Kiwi Experience will book your ferry crossing, as if it were any other activity, for you. After your driver drops you off at the ferry terminal, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise through the Wellington Harbour and Marlborough Sounds before getting into a different Kiwi Experience waiting for your group at the other end. The day will continue like any normal day on the bus.

For more details about the ferry, check out The Ferry Between the North Island and South Island: Full Guide .

The General Vibe on the Bus

Most of us don’t necessarily want to develop memories on a bus, but Kiwi Experience makes it feel like a totally different experience than just commuting. The social vibe on the bus, as you travel with like-minded travellers, gives the bus a real “vacation” vibe as everyone is here to have fun and experience New Zealand! There are travellers from all over the world, some couples, some small groups of friends, and many travelling solo .

Is Kiwi Experience a Party Bus?

Kiwi Experience gets a reputation for being a “party bus” but that really depends on the crowd, as well as what you want to make of your experience. You can choose to join the party crowd if there is one and you want to get stuck in. Otherwise, there’s usually a few people that prefer to relax or go for evening strolls along the beach. Kiwi Experience throws one party on the route at Lake Mahinapua .

The final thing to note about the Kiwi Experience buses is that the vibe usually depends on the people and your driver. We have only had positive experiences, as well as only hearing positive experiences, but the beauty of a hop-on hop-off bus is that you can always hop off the bus if you don’t like the crowd and get on the next bus.

Is it Good Value for Money?

Most importantly, is Kiwi Experience worth it?

The best way to work that out is to work out how much your pass is worth per day. Simply divide the price of your chosen bus pass by the number of minimum travel days the bus pass allows. A good deal is when your bus pass works out to be around NZ$35 per day! This is especially considering that a normal coach trip in New Zealand, with none of the services that Kiwi Experience provides, usually costs NZ$30-$45 per day.

If you are on a shorter time, you should also check out the Kiwi Experience Small Group Tours with travel, accommodation and activities included whilst travelling with a small group. We detail their Small Group Tours more in The 10 Best Backpacker Bus Tours in New Zealand .

Kiwi Experience often has some great deals on their bus passes, so keep an eye out on TourRadar and let the adventure begin!

How Much Does Kiwi Experience Cost?

The full price for a national hop-on hop-off pass is around NZ$1,600 but you will never pay the full retail price for a Kiwi Experience bus pass. Sales on bus passes happen year-round, usually bringing you around NZ$1,000 for a full national bus pass. Their Small Group Tours cost approximately NZ$3,600 for their most complete tour.

How to Budget for a Kiwi Experience Tour

Learn more about getting a good deal with our 5 Tips to Get a Better Deal on a Backpacker Bus Pass in New Zealand . Plus, check out how to keep the costs to a minimum on the Kiwi Experience bus by following our advice in How to Budget for a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Trip Around New Zealand .

More Kiwi Experience Reviews

That’s it for our complete review of what it is like to travel with Kiwi Experience. For more Kiwi Experience reviews, check out the following bus guides:

What is the Difference Between Stray and Kiwi Experience ?
10 Things We Like About the Hop-on Hop-off Buses
How Does the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Network in New Zealand Work ?

Finally, plan all things “bus” in New Zealand using our Travel by Bus in New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide and get more budget travel tips from The Travel Guide to New Zealand on a Budget .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

Was this article useful?

Related posts, wild kiwi review: what is it really like to travel with wild kiwi, public transport within cities: how to catch a city bus in new zealand, the 15 best bus tours in new zealand 🚍 [2024], the 7 best new zealand tours starting from wellington 🗺️ [2024], hop-on hop-off buses in new zealand: complete guide + how do they work, what is the difference between stray and kiwi experience, recommended for you, 15 things we love about renting a car or campervan in nz, 5 ways to find a cheap car or campervan for sale in new zealand, 10 tips to make the most of your gap year in new zealand, destinations, travel tips, connect with us, accommodation.

Welcome/Kia Ora By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and terms of use within it which includes sponsored posts and affiliate links.

Connect with us

Welcome/Kia Ora! By using this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and the terms of use within it.

No products in the basket.

A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand

Updated On 8th February, 2024

Oh wow. Kiwi experience . Where do I even begin with this Kiwi Experience guide?

I have so many ridiculously special memories that stem from my choice to travel around New Zealand in your big green buses.

EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND ON MY BLOG HERE

I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to backpackers solo, group or coupled that are heading out to New Zealand.

If you’re considering it, this Kiwi Experience guide is perfect for you. Together we will weigh up the pros and the cons and take a look at all the adventures available on board.

Let’s tuck in to my Kiwi Experience guide, notepads at the ready!

What is the Kiwi Experience?

Note: From the day of activation your pass will be valid for 1 year and you will need to complete your route within that time.

Just to confirm… the Kiwi Experience is a HOP-ON-HOP-OFF bus service that will transport you to all the best places in New Zealand.

How does it work? How do you book on?

Check out my top tips for budgeting for New Zealand here .

Important: You must be 18+ to climb aboard Kiwi Experience but there is no maximum age! (Most people are 18-30!)

My Kiwi Experience location highlights…

I’ve completed the whole of New Zealand with Kiwi Experience except for: Northland (because I did a self drive roadtrip see here ), River Valley and Wellington.

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

See my guide to completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing here
See my Tongariro photo diary here
Watch the full experience and come with my on the adventure here

Skydive over Lake Taupo

Kiwi squad members can also get a $10 pizza and sunset cruise in Taupo!

Click here to read my backpackers guide to Taupo
Click here to read my guide to skydiving

See my backpacker’s guide to Queenstown here

Black abyss caving adventure with the glow worms

See the tour details here

Is Kiwi Experience the transport for you?

To help you decide I’ve popped together the pros and cons from my two experiences in this Kiwi Experience guide…

The drives are incredible.

As you’ll be a passenger you can snap snap snap away and truly lose yourself in your surroundings.

Group discounts on tours and activities.

You don’t have to do the driving.

You are guaranteed accommodation for the first night in each location (with some locations guaranteed 2/3 nights).

You’ll never be alone.

Everything is pretty much organised for you.

Great for solo travellers.

So many people travel solo on the Kiwi Experience so you most certainly won’t be alone and you will immediately become part of one big family!

Groups can change and you can change groups.

You get the best advice and it’s free.

It can be a bit like a school trip structure wise.

Sometimes it is cheaper to book on your own.

Click here to contact Ratpack Travel and see if the 10% discount with the code MOLLIE10 saves you a bit of money!

Sometimes you cannot get on a bus.

Little freedom to roam.

Check out my Northland New Zealand road trip here .

Still unsure? Check out this post which will help you decide if group travel or solo travel is better for you!

EXPLORE SOLO ADVENTURES ON MY BLOG HERE

Mollie’s tips and tricks for the Kiwi Experience…

Sit at the front! Honestly, I don’t know when that became ‘uncool’. You hear the driver’s tips and information the best, you get the best view in the house and you’re first in the queue to check into the hostel! WORD.
Download the FREE Kiwi Experience app to access information, must do’s, free activities and more. Basically… get the most of of your experience!
As soon as you know when you want to travel to the next destination, book your seat on the bus! During peak times, buses get filled up and if there’s no seats, there’s no seats. Should you plan to move on last minute, you will have to hope for a cancellation or take the next available bus.
Check hostels online for prices , sometimes you can get cheaper than what Kiwi offers.
Be flexible with your itinerary so that you can change buses, stick with your friends and/or wait around if an activity is called off due to weather. For example the Tongariro Crossing was number one on my NZ bucket list last year and I knew it was weather dependent, so I left 5 days for it (it’s a day hike) and it was only on the 5th day it re-opened. Had I not left that time, I would have missed out ! New Zealand is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, make sure you prioritise your bucket list activities!
Grab a food bag in the supermarket (or bring one from home) to transport your groceries in
Buy alcohol in Pak N Save (if you’re on a backpacker budget!)
Read my ‘ways to save money when backpacking New Zealand’ here

See more information and the Kiwi Experience passes available on the official website here.

What do Where’s Mollie Global Travellers say about Kiwi Experience?

“River Valley was one of my favourite places, it was a hostel that resembled a massive cabin and there was no phone signal so everyone actually had to talk and play games. The 4 and a half hour Monopoly game was definitely a highlight! I also loved that the drivers were so approachable and joined in with activities and group socials!” James Steel

“Louis and I loved it, which we were surprised at because we did it as a couple! Top 2 things to do are the white water rafting in River Valley (incredible and in the middle of nowhere) and the gondola/luge in Queenstown which is like real-life Mario Kart with an amazing view! Lastly, the scenery whilst driving along is beautiful, I grabbed my phone for a photo at nearly every turn! I’d do it all over again, so worth the money.” Lauren Algar

JOIN THE WMGT FACEBOOK FAMILY HERE

Have you been to New Zealand with Kiwi Experience?

What did you think of this Kiwi Experience guide? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

IT’S LOVELY TO MEET YOU

I’M MOLLIE AND I STARTED THIS BLOG BACK IN 2013 WHEN I HEADED OUT ON MY FIRST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE.

I’D LOVE TO SHARE THE JOURNEY WITH YOU, WE’VE GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN!

Shop the google map legends

Search by adventure type, active travel, backpacking, budget travel, love and relationships, once in a lifetime, packing tips, solo travel, weekend getaways, where's mollie newsletter, travel shop, search by destination, other posts that you may like....

The best things to do in Roskilde, Denmark

12 unique ideas for a day out in London

How I turned my love for travelling into a career | Where's Mollie? A Travel And Adventure Lifestyle Blog

From A Level Maths to Travelling Full Time. How did I do it?

wmgt-croatia-split-hvar-and-dubrovnik-21

How to make friends when travelling solo

A 7-day itinerary for Madeira, Portugal

Free Things To Do In New York City

Escaping for some winter sun in Gran Canaria

My favourite chickpea and sweet potato coconut curry recipe

Recipe: Chickpea, sweet potato & coconut curry

Five days, three national parks, one epic safari in Kenya| Where's Mollie? A travel and adventure lifestyle blog

Our Kenya itinerary: Five days, three national parks, one epic safari

Privacy overview.

Top 17 Tips For Traveling New Zealand With Kiwi Experience

Exploring New Zealand with Kiwi Experience was easily one of the top trips I’ve ever taken.

I spent one full-month adventuring around the North Island & South Island , and am already planning my return visit to this unbelievably gorgeous country! My trip was jam packed with outstanding scenery, incredible food & drink, and meeting tons of awesome travelers.

If you’re planning to travel with Kiwi Experience soon, check out my New Zealand travel tips below, feel free to shoot me an email or a Facebook message! I’m always happy to help out anyway I can! :-)

1 ) Follow their Social-Media Accounts & Newsletter for Massive Promo Deals

When you buy a Kiwi-Experience bus-pass , you have ONE YEAR to activate it.

So if you KNOW you’re going to be in New Zealand within a year, then I’d definitely follow Kiwi Experience on Facebook / Instagram , and sign-up for their newsletter…because they regularly have insane discounts on their passes.

I know a lot of people who scored 50% off the Funky Chicken Pass! ! So plan ahead, look-out for their sales, and save some money.

2 ) Call their Travel Team / Auckland Office for Trip Advice & Planning

When I went into the Auckland office, it really helped me out a lot with my trip. I wasn’t quite sure how the entire system worked, but the Kiwi Experience staff were super helpful, and will be able to answer any questions you have.

They’re all very knowledgable about the country, the activities, food, drink, discounts, etc…

3 ) Plan / Budget All Activities Before Hand

New Zealand is definitely one of the most expensive countries I’ve traveled through, and that’s mainly because of the cost of the activities.

From skydiving, canyon swinging, bungy jumping, kayaking, etc…there’s a ton of adventures you’re going to want to do, but they all cost quite a bit!

I’d recommend looking at all the options here in New Zealand, and put aside that money in advance. Don’t let the money deter you from doing these though, because why come all the way to NZ and not do any of the exciting stuff the country has to offer?

Bonus Tip: You can try to organize bulk discounts through travel agencies if you book more than 3 or 4 of them at the same time.

4 ) Snacks on the bus are crucial

I don’t know about you…but I always get hungry when I’m in transit in between destinations. The bus drivers do a great job at stopping at grocery stores and cafes, and I recommend stocking up on snack food.

They’re also great for sharing, and an easy way to make some friends on the bus, lol.

“Anybody wanna Tim-Tam…?”

5 ) Cook for yourself / Split costs with friends from the bus

At pretty much every hostel / accommodation that I stayed at during my time in New Zealand, there were communal kitchens to use. One of the best ways to save money while traveling in this (expensive) country is to cook as many meals as you can for yourself.

Pasta, Chicken, Rice, Vegetables, etc…all super easy to make, budget friendly, and can go a long way.

Tip: Get a group together on the bus to split the cost of the groceries, and cook dinners together. You’ll be able to make much bigger and better dishes.

6 ) Have a General Plan but leave room for flexibility

One of the best aspects of traveling with Kiwi Experience is the flexibility it offers. While I do think it’s ideal to have an idea of how long you want to stay in each destination, make sure you plan several extra days to stay longer if necessary.

For example – if you only plan a couple nights in Franz Josef, but the weather is terrible causing the Heli Hike to be cancelled both days…you’ll want to stay a couple more in order to do this incredible activity!

7 ) Start a What’s App Group / Facebook Chat with fellow travelers on the bus

This is the best way to keep in touch with everyone in each destination. You can plan last minute group dinners, random adventures, share photos, and ask questions.

Not sure when your bus leaves in the morning? Wanna grab a cheeky pint? Anyone going bungy jumping? Just ask the group…

8 ) Choose your party nights wisely

Kiwi Experience can definitely be one giant party, but I’d recommend spacing out your drinking nights.

It can get really expensive going out and drinking all the time, so find other things to do at night.

A couple places I really enjoyed drinking though were in Lake Taupo, River Valley Lodge, Mahinapua Theme Party , and the legendary Queenstown (where I actually won a Beer Pong tournament, lol).

9 ) Research Hostel Prices on Your Own & Book

When you travel with Kiwi Experience, you’re guaranteed three nights of accommodation at each destination you stop.

The prices KE offers are typically going to be the best rate , but I do know a few people who scoured sites like Hostelworld & Booking.com and found better deals at different hostels.

You could also get together with a group of friends you meet on the bus, and all pitch in to rent an AirBNB for a few nights in cities places like Lake Taupo, Wellington, Queenstown, and Christchurch (to name a few). Get $70+ NZD off your first AirBNB stay for first-time customers. (If several people on the bus have never used AirBNB, you can actually get some pretty sweet deals!).

*This can be a really fun way to save money, and have a more relaxing / private stay*

10 ) It’s okay to stay longer even if other people don’t

When my first Kiwi Experience group stopped at Wellington, I discovered that over half my friends were only staying in the city for one-night! I actually don’t know why they would do that, because Wellington is such a cool city.

Then when the trip continued to the South Island , every single person I had become friends with on Kiwi Experience only stayed in Kaiteriteri (Abel Tasman National Park) for one night as well.

That’s just the way the hop-on / hop-off bus pass works. Some people will stay longer, and others won’t.

I was super bummed to leave everyone, because I had made some good friends during my first 10 days exploring the North Island with these people.

The point is…that you’re more than likely to meet up and see these people again. Whether it be in Queenstown, Christchurch, or Auckland – there will be more opportunities.

If you want to stay in a place longer…than do it!

11) Bring a Decent Camera & GoPro

New Zealand is one of the most gorgeous countries in the world, and I personally think it’d be a huge mistake not being able to get some amazing photography during your travels!

I admittedly carry too much photography gear (but that’s part of the job), but with a basic DSLR and a GoPro will be able to produce some really great images & travel videos.

12) Wake up for Sunrise

This is one thing I wish I had done more during my trip!!

…but when I actually did manage to wake-up to that 6:00 A.M alarm, I was rewarded with absolutely breathtaking views, and it really is the best start to the day.

13 ) When in doubt…ask the bus driver

I basically traveled with two different drivers / tour-guides during my time with Kiwi Experience, and they were both fantastic guys! They are so great at their job, and KNOW THEIR COUNTRY very well!

They’ve been doing these tours for quite awhile, and will be happy to give you their best tips for what to do, places to eat, epic nightlife, etc.

MASSIVE SHOUTOUT TO BEN & ELLIOT!!

14 ) Utilize Free Wi-Fi as much as possible

A phone plan with 3G DATA in New Zealand is pretty expensive. I use my phone a lot while I travel for social-media purposes, and spent a bit more money than I was expecting to while in the country.

Kiwi Experience wrote a great post about the Best NZ SIM card , and it’s worth checking out.

I ended up going with SPARK, and originally bought the Tourist Pack at the Auckland airport, but had to “top-up” for more data a few times on my trip.

15 ) Download the Free “Kiwi Experience” App

It’s filled with everything else you’ll need to know about the experience like the route map, activities in each destination, free stuff to do, tons of photos and descriptions, and heaps more.

It’s really great, and perfect reading material for the longer bus journeys.

16 ) Download movies / TV episodes to your devices

I personally can’t read for too long while I’m on those windy New Zealand mountain roads, and found myself passing the time quite often by watching movies and television shows on my laptop.

17 ) Coffee, Cakes, and Meat Pies

Last, but certainly not least, I gotta mention the insanely delicious food and drink there is around the country.

Now…I’m not normally a coffee drinker, but I pretty much had a cup every morning while in New Zealand! The flat whites & mocaccinos are seriously next level!

I also found myself eating a lot of tasty caramel slices and carrot cakes (which I noticed are at the majority of cafes in the country).

And of course you can’t leave New Zealand without trying a few of the famous meat pies! While some are obviously better than others, I found them to be the tastiest, affordable, and most filling meals in the country!

Planning a trip to New Zealand….?

Make sure you check out my articles about my travels!

The North Island of New Zealand
The South Island of New Zealand

Disclaimer: I traveled with Kiwi Experience as a guest for a one-month campaign in the country. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook , I’m sure you saw me post quite a lot about the experience during this collaboration. I did receive a lot of activities complimentary, so I could write about it for this blog. As always, all opinions in my articles are my own, and I truly loved my experience on the big green bus! :-)

SAFE TRAVELS & THANKS FOR READING ! !

New Zealand is indeed a great travel destination. Last year we went to Hobbiton and had a great time. I still want to go back if I had an opportunity. Your photos brings me back my experience in New Zealand. I enjoy reading your article!

this is amazing post thanks for sharing information with us

The Kiwi Experience Bus: An Honest Review (2023)

Booking the Kiwi Experience bus? Yay! The Kiwi Experience is one of the best and easiest ways to get around New Zealand. Not only will you see some of the most beautiful locations on the planet, but you’ll make friends at the same time!

The Kiwi Experience is a group tour which is set up to guide you from start to finish. It is the perfect experience for new or first-time backpackers, and whilst the tour is aimed at travellers aged 18-35, we found the majority to be between the ages of 18-25.

In the following post, I outline why the Kiwi Experience is the best way to travel around New Zealand, and how the pass actually works. As always, if you still have a question, or if this post has helped you to travel, let me know on Instagram ! I’d love to hear from you, and it confirms I’m doing my job properly!

🇳🇿 If you decide the Kiwi Bus isn’t for you, check out this epic 2 Week Itinerary for South Island New Zealand . Travel New Zealand in a van, at your own pace!

Want to see epic photos and videos from these experiences?

Follow me on Instagram! As we travel, I post everything live on Instagram, so check out my recent highlights and posts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, drop me a DM!

The Kiwi Experience Bus Review: A Summary

The Kiwi Experience Bus is a group tour for like-minded travellers wanting to travel across New Zealand. Travelling via a hop-on, hop-off system, you have the freedom and flexibility to visit locations for different durations and tick off bucket-list activities as you go.

Once you’ve chosen your pass, you will decide where you start (most start in Auckland), and travel around the country via a big, green bus. You will also get access to a Trip Planner and the Bus Timetables in order to organise parts of your trip in advance. But, if you’re more spontaneous, everything can be sorted whilst you’re actually on the bus.

So, what is the Kiwi Bus actually like? Well, the buses are full of other travellers wanting to experience the country in a fun way, with a big emphasis on partying and socialising. We loved this part of the Kiwi Bus, and joined in on all of the social activities such as boat parties, bar crawls and fancy dress nights.

If you’re someone who likes everything being organised for you, the Kiwi Bus is easily the best way to travel around New Zealand. Everything down to the routes, hostels and activities can be sorted for you, so you don’t need to use a lot of brain power at all!

Whilst you’re on the Kiwi Bus, you will spend the majority of your time mingling with other travellers and meeting new people. If you’re a solo traveller, it’s an easy and great way to make sure you’re not alone, and surrounded by people at all hours of the day.

It’s a crazy, wild and chaotic way to experience New Zealand, and it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. If you like to party and socialise whilst ticking off epic bucket list experiences, the Kiwi Experience is for you!

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 FUN FACT: The Kiwi Experience Bus was where I met my long-term partner, Tom! We have now been together for four years, and own a house together in London. We also work together whilst travelling the world, working as digital nomads . If that’s not a Kiwi Experience success story, I don’t know what is!

Kiwi Experience Bus Pass Information

You need to pre-book your Kiwi Experience Pass as soon as possible. Buses are extremely busy in the summer season, so booking early will help massively!

Which Kiwi Experience bus pass shall I choose?

There are over twenty different Kiwi Bus passes to choose from. Which one you pick will be down to where you want to go, your budget and how long you have.

If you have enough time during your backpacking trip, I’d recommend doing both North and South Island. Both have a lot to offer and are special in their own way. We found the most popular both-island Kiwi bus passes to be:

Funky Chicken

If you’re short on time, I’d recommend the South Island Milford Explorer, or the South and Sound. Or if you’re sticking to the North, the Northern Express or Geyserland both stop at some incredible spots!

🥝 TOP TIP: Unsure of what you pass you’d like? Look at Kiwi bus passes that include at least: Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Lake Wanaka. They were our highlights!

Kiwi Experience Hostels

You do not need to pre-book any activities, hostels or accommodations in advance when travelling on the Kiwi Experience Bus. When on the trip, the Kiwi Experience will book your hostels for you.

Hostels in New Zealand are modern, clean and safe. By booking hostels with the Kiwi Experience Bus, you will get a group discount and the best rates. Most of the Kiwi Experience hostels are Base or Nomads .

Hostels are booked 24 hours before arrival, using a signup sheet that is passed around the Kiwi Bus. You can request to be with friends, boyfriends (or potential partners!) if wanted.

Unless you specifically opt out, you’ll be in a mixed shared dorm with people from your bus. All hostels have large kitchens to prepare your own meals, and most are located in a city or town centre if you want to eat out.

🥝 TOP TIP: For the beginning and start of your trip (before and after you board the bus) you need to book your own accommodation . I highly recommend booking this in advance. Hostels in Oceania book up fast! You can check out the best hostels in New Zealand here.

Want to start your digital nomad life?

Check out my ebook page (click here!) to see if there’s a guide that suits you. I’m here to help you leave the 9-5 and work remotely around the world! 💻 🌎

Who’s the Kiwi Experience bus for?

The Kiwi Experience bus is for backpackers aged around 18-35. There isn’t an age limit on booking the tour, but we found the majority of travellers on our bus were between the ages of 18-25.

Whilst on the Kiwi Experience Bus, you can expect a lot of ‘organised fun’. This includes activities such as bar crawls, fancy dress parties, speed dating on the bus and party games.

The Kiwi Experience targets solo travellers and small friendship groups wanting to meet others whilst backpacking. The social and party side is one of the biggest aspects of the tour.

🥝TOP TIP: If this isn’t your thing, and you’d rather experience New Zealand in a more civilised way, I recommend hiring a car or a van. If you’re looking to hire a car in New Zealand, we rent our cars from this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in New Zealand now!

How the Kiwi Experience bus works

Firstly, you need to decide where you would like to visit in New Zealand. The passes cover different parts of the country (some are both islands, some just north, some just south etc). Whichever pass you choose will determine the destinations your bus visits.

All Kiwi Experience Bus passes allow you to hop on and hop off in locations during the route. It’s then your choice how long you stay in each location (for example, you could do 14 nights in Queenstown, but only three nights in Franz Josef).

You do not need to pre-book any activities, hostels or accommodations in advance when travelling on the Kiwi Experience Bus. This is all sorted for you whilst you are on the trip. But if you would like to pre-book your own accommodation, you will need to let the driver know and organise your own transport .

🥝 TOP TIP: My opinion? Don’t pre-book anything. We accidentally pre-booked a hotel and were separated from all of our friends in the hostel. You can just imagine how sad we were! Don’t pre-book, leave it down to the Kiwi bus!

How do I book accommodation and activities on the trip?

You do not need to pre-book any activities, hostels or accommodations in advance when travelling on the Kiwi Experience Bus.

Every evening, you’ll be handed a clipboard to sign up for hostels and activities. Payments are usually taken at the hostel or activity when you arrive. Again, you don’t need to plan or book anything before you board the Kiwi Experience Bus.

🥝 TOP TIP: If you make friends on the bus, you can sign up to be in the same hostel dorm room or activity group. Just make sure it’s noted on the clipboard.

Minimum/Maximum Stays in Locations Whilst on the Kiwi Experience Bus

The only locations that have a maximum stay are destinations that are organised for the Kiwi Bus participants only.

For example, the Kiwi Experience organises a fancy dress party at the Lake Mahinapua pub, which is a one-night-only stay. There aren’t many of these, but it’s worth noting if you’re on a strict time scale.

Your Kiwi bus pass will also have a minimum amount of nightly stays in all destinations. This means that unless you sort your own transport, you cannot skip a location entirely. This is because the Kiwi driver will stay in the hostel with you, and will not continue the journey until the next day.

When buying your Kiwi bus pass, you will have an estimated time frame, which is the minimum amount of days the tour can be completed in. For example, the Funky Chicken says 22 days+. This means the Funky Chicken pass can be completed in 22 days or more (just not less, due to the minimum night rule).

hobbiton shire house new zealand north island

Activities on the Kiwi Experience Bus

When you want to take part in an activity on the Kiwi Experience bus, you will sign up in the same way you do for hostels. The clipboard will be passed around the bus, and you can write your name to confirm you want to take part. It will also explain payment options.

You do not need to pre-book any activities in advance when travelling on the Kiwi Experience Bus.

🥝 Activities on the Kiwi bus range from (but are not limited to!): white water rafting, skydiving, jet boating, Maori village tours, cave and glow worm tours, dolphin watching, helicopter rides, hot springs, bungee jumping, whale watching, zorbing, sailing, and kayaking.

Activity prices range from $10-$200, depending on how much of a ‘bucket list experience’ they are. For example, a helicopter ride to the Franz Josef Glacier is one of the most expensive Kiwi tours. But some activities are free, such as hiking and walking.

You can also organise tours without the help of Kiwi Experience. Just make sure that if it’s far away from the bus or hostel you’re staying at, you have a mode of transport to return. The Kiwi Bus will not pick you up for any tour organised independently.

view over lake wanaka mountains and lake

How flexible is the Kiwi Experience bus pass?

The Kiwi Experience bus tour has good flexibility. Plans changed? Love a location and want to extend? No problem.

As long as you finish your Kiwi Experience trip within 365 days of purchase , you can change your plans as many times as desired. Start the trip in January, finish it in December, or just do it all in one go. The Kiwi Pass gives you total flexibility to backpack New Zealand at a speed that’s suited to you.

Popular destinations like Queenstown are often visited for a longer period of time. If you’ve only budgeted a few days there, but your new backpacker friends have planned a seven-day stay, you might want to switch things up and stay with them. This is totally doable on the Kiwi Experience. Plans can change last minute, and you don’t need to decide anything too far in advance.

Will I be with the same people for the whole trip?

This depends on how you complete the Kiwi Experience bus tour. Most people will stick to the designated time frame, adding a few extra nights in. For example, we did the Funky Chicken Kiwi bus tour, and although it was a 22-day route, we spent around 30 days completing it.

If you do extend your stay in one location, you will jump on a new Kiwi bus for your next location. This means new people. There are Kiwi buses running one after another, every day of the year, so if you miss one, you can easily catch up the following morning.

🥝 TOP TIP: During peak summer travel, you need to pre-book your Kiwi bus seat. Seats fill up quickly, so you need to decide at least 24 hours in advance when you will be leaving a location.

kiwi on the side of the road in new zealand

Best locations to visit in New Zealand

North island of new zealand locations.

Bay of Islands – Beaches, hikes and views. Great for a scenic stop in New Zealand.
Auckland – The biggest city in the country. Great for nightlife, city vibes, and shopping.
Hot Water Beach – A large beach full of hot springs. You’ll dig your own hole on the beach to lay and relax in the hot water.
Waitomo – Glow worms in a labyrinth of underground caves.
Rotorua – The ultimate culture stop. This is the perfect place to do your Maori Village tour which is a must-do when visiting New Zealand to learn more about the people and history of the country. Also, Rotorua is a chance to visit Hobbiton!
Taupo – Lake Taupo is one of the prettiest lakes in New Zealand, great for watersports and boat tours. The nightlife is also fun!
River Valley – This part of the trip is for Kiwi Experience travellers only. Secluded in the middle of a mountainous valley, you’ll party the night away in a log cabin with a cheap bar and night-long music. White water rafting is also available.
Wellington – New Zealand’s capital is a great place for nightlife, restaurants, shopping and scenic views from Mount Victoria.

South Island of New Zealand locations

Abel Tasman – White sandy beaches and jungle.
Westport – A quiet town which offers surf lessons in the evenings.
Lake Mahinapua – Another Kiwi Experience exclusive. A family-run pub hosts a fancy dress party with late-night music and easy access to the lake!
Franz Josef – Franz Josef gives the opportunity to ride a helicopter to the height of the famous Franz Josef glacier. You’ll also stay in a rainforest-wood-cabin-style hostel with nightly entertainment and good food.
Lake Wanaka – One of the most famous lakes in New Zealand. Great for watersports, hiking and mountain trekking.
Queenstown – One of the more lively cities in New Zealand, and an adrenaline junkie’s paradise. From bungee jumping, luging down the side of a mountain, sky diving, jet boating…if it makes your heart race when you think about it, Queenstown has a chance to experience it.
Milford Sound – An expensive but worth it day trip that can be taken from Queenstown. Sail up close to the famous Milford Sound and soak in the views of the mighty waterfall.
Lake Tekapo – Known for its turquoise blue lake and star gazing. The area has next to no light pollution, making it one of the best stargazing locations in the world!
Christchurch – Another New Zealand city which is on the smaller and quieter side.
Kaikoura – If you’re a big fan of dolphins, you’re going to want to make sure your tour stops at Kaikoura.

Kiwi Experience Bus: FAQs

1) is the kiwi experience bus worth the money.

Yes, yes and yes again! The Kiwi Experience is worth the money, especially if you’re unsure about travelling alone or are backpacking for the first time. I guarantee you’ll make friends, tick off bucket list experiences and have the trip of a lifetime!

2) Is the Kiwi Experience a party bus?

The Kiwi Experience group tour has a reputation for being a ‘party bus’, but it really depends on how you want to experience it. Yes, you can party with your new friends on the bus, or you can avoid this part and just spend your time exploring and doing bucket-list New Zealand activities.

3) Who started the Kiwi Experience bus?

Aucklanders Mike Warren and Neil Geddes founded Kiwi Experience in 1989. This means the bus has been going for over 30 years (although their first journey was a single bus between Auckland and Wellington via Rotorua and Ohakune).

4) How does the Kiwi Experience work?

The Kiwi Experience bus works by following a designated route, stopping off along the way for travellers to enjoy different locations in New Zealand. It is a hop-on, hop-off bus, meaning you can choose the amount of time you spend in each location.

5) Do I need a car to travel around New Zealand?

This is down to personal preference. We loved travelling around New Zealand via the Kiwi Experience bus, but of course, you can hire your own car instead.

You can hire a car and drive around the entire country at your own pace. D riving in New Zealand is safe and straightforward. Some of the main towns and cities are a distance away from each other, so to maximise your time in the country, you may want to hire a car .

If you’re looking to hire a car in New Zealand, we rent our cars from this company . They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in New Zealand now!

6) Do I need a SIM card to travel around Oceania?

Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive in either New Zealand or Australia.

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

The Kiwi Experience Bus Review: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best areas and neighbourhoods to live in in Melbourne . When you’re planning a trip to Australia, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here !), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Australian content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

🇳🇿 Where to next?

Living In Melbourne As An Expat On A Working Holiday Visa

🇳🇿 Have you been on the Kiwi Experience bus? I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts on Instagram!

📍 PIN IT FOR LATER! 📍

backpacking new zealand kiwi experience bus review pin

MEET THE AUTHOR!

Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.

If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).

How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP! (2023)

Looking to interrail Europe on a budget? You’re in the right place! Let’s be honest, Europe is expensive. It’s one of the most expensive continents on the planet! That’s why I’ve written this guide to help budget backpackers out there how to interrail on a budget! But interrailing Europe CAN be done on a budget….

11 Top Tips for Visiting Finland for the First Time

Visiting Finland for the first time? Finland is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world. Whether it’s heading into the wilderness or visiting the north in winter for a snowy wonderland, it’s no secret that Finland is one of the world’s best travel destinations! As we visited Finland for the first…

BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District (2023 Guide)

Looking for the best walks from Ambleside? You’re in the right place! Ambleside is my favourite place to visit in the Lake District, and some of the walks from Ambleside are just incredible. Not only is Ambleside the prettiest town in the Lake District National Park, but it’s a great base for some of the…

Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!

Even if you only have a day to explore the Lake District, it’s still a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery England has to offer. The 2362 square kilometres of English countryside is famous for its mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and traditional English villages, and it is undoubtedly one of the most…

Best Hiking Boots for the Lake District (2023 Review)

Looking for the best hiking boots for the Lake District? This hiking boots guide has reviews, pros and cons and all the details you need to buy your next pair of hiking boots. One of the most commonly asked questions about the Lake District is; “Do you need hiking boots for walks in the Lake…

3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do

Even if you only have three days to explore the Lake District, it’s still a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery England has to offer. The 2362 square kilometres of English countryside is famous for its mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and traditional English villages, and it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful…

One Comment

Hi! Thank you for your informative blog about Kiwi experience and traveling with them. I’m going to travel with them next month. I’m little anxious because I’m not that social person all the time and I love my no social moments, always need a moment to just be by myself. Do you know if there’s some private rooms to book with or something? I’m doing the Backyard pass with both islands. I’ve also been thinking that do I need cash with me or can I pay with card? Thank you for your help ☺️

Kiwi Experience

See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Kiwi Experience - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

What’s It Like To Travel New Zealand On The Kiwi Experience Bus?!

Heading to New Zealand soon and not sure how to travel around? Well the Kiwi Experience Bus Passes are a great option – here’s what you can expect from it…

New Zealand is an epic place to explore, I totally fall in love with the rolling mountains, sprawling lakes and friendly locals every time I visit the land of the long white cloud – there’s something about those two islands that keep drawing me back for more!

A few years ago I had a good bounce around the south island and was stoked with how much there is to see and do , but unfortunately I totally neglected the north!

So despite spending the bulk of my last trip there surfing and chilling in Raglan ( an amazing little surf town on the west coast of the north island ) I also took the opportunity to explore some more of what the north has to offer and teamed up with the guys from Kiwi Experience , both to explore some more and find out why these buses are one of the most popular travel options in New Zealand.

Here’s how I got on!

Kiwi Experience Bus Passes

Hop on, hop off.

kiwi experience bus pass travel review new zealand backpacker

As with most places on the backpacker trail New Zealand comes with plenty of options when it comes to transport.

The Kiwi Experience has been running for over 25 years now so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing!

One of the biggest draws is the fact they offer a flexible hop on, hop off bus service that allows travellers to do just that – with up to a year to complete your pass there’s plenty of time to explore each stop off.

This flexibility and time frame means it fits people on fixed time frames and open dated trips as well as working holiday visas.

If you like a place heaps, simply stick around a bit longer.

Not so keen? No worries, it’s easy to change your bus departure to an earlier one…although keep in mind in peak season buses can fill up pretty quickly so the more advance notice you have the better!

Despite the 12 month validity many people on the Kiwi Experience stick with the minimum travel times, which vary from a few days to a month, depending on the pass you’re on.

On one hand this creates a great group dynamic where you effectively travel with a heap of new buddies and share the whole experience with them.

Personally though if you have more time to play with then make the most of it and extend some stops as I found the minimum travel time pretty rushed in some stops.

Take Rotorua for instance – the Kiwi Experience has a one night stop over there and if you opt for the Maori Homestay you don’t even make it into the town!

I on the other hand ended up spending 4 days here and packed out every day with something epic; white water rafting, zorbing, the Maori homestay and even an afternoon at Agroventures – things I would never have experienced if I’d stuck with the group.

I guess that comes down to how you like to travel though and how much time you have to spare – so do some research on each stop before you lock in your time frame and make the most of everywhere you’re passing through.

Who’s On The Kiwi Experience

Although the Kiwi Experience has a pretty open policy on age ranges ( there were even people in their late 30s on some of my buses! ) from what I saw on the few buses I joined there was a pretty big leaning towards the 18-22 demographic of younger travellers on their gap years and RTW trips.

Even though a lot were Brits there was a good mix of nationalities, which is always welcome!

With this came a pretty big party vibe and most nights were spent with a few beers enjoying the local nightlife. For many that would be no issue – but if you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed and chilled atmosphere or are at the higher end of your 20s then it might not be the right fit for you.

Still, age is just a mentality and I got on heaps well with most people on my trip ( I’m 27 incase you were wondering! ) so it really boils down to how you personally want to travel and what kinda of traveller you are!

What you can be guaranteed though is that you’ll have an epic time and if you don’t like the people on your bus, you can simply hop off for an extra night and jump onto another…problem solved!hahaha!

Which Pass Should You Choose?

With limited time on my hands I opted for the Lakes and Geysers Pass, which covers Auckland, Hot Water Beach, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo before looping back to Auckland again.

For me it was the perfect option for cramming in heaps of North Island goodness and there was more than enough en route to keep me busy – from white water rafting to hiking the Tongariro Crossing , zorbing ( sorry I mean sphering! ) to visiting Hobbiton !

But the Kiwi Experience isn’t just the north Island – there’s plenty of pass option to fit all time scales, routes and of course budgets.

Whether you go all out with the Whole Kit And Caboodle which takes in everything on both islands, start in Auckland and finish in Christchurch, just take in the north island or stick to the south there’s something to suit.

If you visit the South Island too expect things like swimming with dolphins , hiking glaciers , eating the famous Fergburger , bungee jumping and skydiving to be on the cards too!

The are 6 main pass types though to help narrow it down;

Start anywhere/finish anywhere
Start Auckland, finish Christchurch
Start Christchurch, finish Auckland
North Island only
South Island only
Whole country passes

In fact across the 2 islands there’s 20 overnight stops and heaps of other optional ones to add in too, so there’s plenty to keep you busy whatever your plans and route.

Which pass you choose is a pretty personal choice but there’s also heaps of special offers going on so keep an eye out for some heavily discounted passes and nab yourself a bargain!

Value For Money?

As with everything travel getting value for money is always a big priority and overland travel is no exception.

If you’re travelling solo then the Kiwi Experience is a solid call when it comes down to value for money – you can cover a lot of ground much easier and cheaper than public transport or renting a van.

hiking tongariro alpine crossing taupo new zealand kiwi experience backpacker (1 of 17)

If however you’re travelling as a group it becomes a bit more tricky as camper vans and cars come into play. That being said though the Kiwi Experience bus passes mean you don’t have to worry about fuel, navigating and all those other things that come with other ways to get around!

With the Whole Kit and Caboodle RRP at $2032NZD ( about £1,000 ) it’s not a small amount of cash to part with, but if you break it down it works out great value for money – even more so if you grab it on sale! They also have some great monthly deal so keep an eye out for some bargains!

Also keep in mind that when you’re travelling on the Kiwi Experience you also get heaps of awesome discounts on accommodation ( they also guarantee your bed for the first night in every stop ) and activities and if you’re planning on making the most of your time in New Zealand these will quickly mount up.

So although it looks like you’re just paying for a bus pass it’s got lots of added value to it too.

And of course with all the crazy activities New Zealand has to offer the Kiwi Experience guys will help showcase all the options available to you – in many stops I had no idea what I was going to do to fill my time but there’s always a good variety on offer.

As you head between stop offs your guide will clue you up on what you can expect and they can also book your activities for you – allowing you to kick back and relax as well as making the most of your time in each place.

If you want some more info on the activities on offer and budgeting for New Zealand here’s my New Zealand budget breakdown .

The Bottom Line

Although the Kiwi Experience is essentially a hop on, hop off bus service it packs way more than simply a bus from place to place.

You’ll easily make heaps of new travel friends, save dollar on loads of activities and stop off en route to explore more of what New Zealand has to offer – whether that’s short hikes, scenic view points or even chilling with baby seals!

The drivers aren’t simply there to put pedal to the metal, they’re an essential part of the experience too – providing loads of information, helping you book all your activities, getting some serious group bonding going on and they’re always a good laugh!

I loved jumping on the Kiwi Experience for my North Island trip and I’d have no issues with using them again when I head back to explore even more of what New Zealand has to offer…something I plan on doing pretty soon.

Admittedly yes it’s not going to suit everyone, but for those looking for an easy, value for money way to get around and meet heaps of like minded travellers it’s a solid choice.

So if you’re heading that way check out their range of travel passes , there’s an option in there for most travel plans!

And as an added bonus grab $100 off the Kitchen Sink or Tiki Bus Passes anytime over at RTW Backpackers – just use the code KIWI100

Have you travelled on the Kiwi Experience? Which pass did you go with and how was it?

**PLEASE NOTE – I received a free Kiwi Experience Bus Pass for my North Island Trip, but rest assured all opinions are honest and my own**

New Zealand South Island Road Trip 14 day itinerary queenstown NZ

New Zealand South Island Road Trip – Complete 14 Day Itinerary

gap year pros and cons backpacker backpacking

Gap Year Pros And Cons – Should You Take One?

solo female travel guide tips backpacker 2

The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel

25 Epic Things To Do On South Island New Zealand

Kiwi Experience

85 Beach Road , Auckland Central , New Zealand .

New Zealand's Best Bus Tour Network. Award-winning Hop-On-Hop-Off bus passes and Small Group Tours that take you to the heart of New Zealand.

Pricing and Conditions

Standard Kiwi Experience terms & conditions apply to travel. Under 18s may travel if accompanied by a guardian.

A Kiwi Experience bus adventure is quite simply the best way to experience New Zealand. Our local guides know the country and culture better than anyone else and have hosted over 500,000 passengers in our 30 years. Flexible, hassle-free, guided tours, tailored to your appetite for adventure and budget. We take care of it all, leaving you guys to focus on the memory making and unrivalled experiences. At Kiwi Experience, we are all about adventure, fun, exhilaration and excitement. If you’re looking for a relaxing 2 weeks by a pool, this is not for you. It’s your time to break out of that comfort zone. Embrace the butterflies in your stomach, stars in your eyes and perhaps a few early starts. This is what travelling is all about.

Opening times

Open in larger map

Language support

Share on Facebook
Share by email

Find things to do in the Auckland region

Find a place to stay in the auckland region.

The content on this page was created by Kiwi Experience

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Please contact this business for more information. See also: newzealand.com terms of use (opens in new window) .

Kiwi Experience – Everything You Need to Know

About the author: sammy.

Updated on: 25 March 2024

Published on: 27 August 2018

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

At RatPack we love abit of New Zealand and absolutely everything it has to offer, it’s THE home of adrenalin, beaut scenery – we’re talking lakes, mountains, glaciers and it’s THE spot for the adventurous and the explorers! Sammy boy spent 2 years bouncing around NZ and has seen so much of both the North & South Island and lived in the epic Raglan…. { epic little chill surf town make sure you get it on the list – yewww }

If you’re thinking of travelling New Zealand , you’ve may have heard of the Kiwi Experience. It’s a popular option for backpackers who want to hit up the many unreal spots in NZ and the epic activities it has to offer with an epic group of travellers and a driver/guide.

Click images to see more.

Ready for an adventure?

The Kiwi Experience is an experience like NO other and we love that >>> The Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s most popular backpacker bus company, it’s a combination of transport, trips and destinations and a really EASY way to travel. With so much to see & do in NZ they have a range of different passes to suit everyone and hit different spots & routes. You can even choose your start and end point to suit your itinerary and budget > we can even get all RatPackers 10% off all passes.. EVEN if they are on sale , saving you $ every step of the way.

How do the passes work?

The buses are ‘hop on hop off’ which means you can hop on and off as much as you like along the route, the kiwi experience is not a group tour with a set itinerary, its a bus pass which allows you to hit up the best spots and do any activity you feel like with a group of fellow travellers. You can stay in places for as long or as little as you like, the beauty of the Kiwi Exp is that it’s YOUR trip and you can be flexible if you fall in love with a place { trust us… you will }.

You have a year to use your pass, so if you get stuck in a spot, it’s all good! With all of the passes there are minimum times – so bear this in mind when checking out the passes. The buses are super comfy, modern and you’ll have informative, entertaining commentary, plus heaps of activity discounts, walks and awesome photo opportunities!

Before you go...

Decide when you want to go to NZ { FYI – Autumn/Winter runs from March – September & Spring/Summer runs from October – February }
Work out how long you want to spend in NZ – we recommend spending at LEAST a month if you want to properly explore both islands
Check out all the different passes here, there are SO many different options to suit each explorer and to tick off those bucketlist experiences AKA skydiving, bungy jumping, white water rafting and more.
Not sure which pass? Hit us UP and we can help you for sure, don’t forget that we can also get all RatPackers 10% off any pass even if it’s on sale { all about that money saving… UNO }
Once you’ve decided which pass you want, how long you’ll travel for and your start and end point, we’ll get it all sorted for you! The Kiwi Experience will book you on to all your buses and guarantee your first night accommodation in each place. We’ll send you your itinerary and you are G to G { Good to go in RatPack speak }

When you are in NZ...

Now all you need to do is arrive in your starting location in one of the pickup hostels and begin the adventure.
Your bus driver will be your tour guide, activity organiser and banter provider { what a job title! } whilst you are on the bus this is your GO to person and is there to answer any questions & change your buses.
Whilst on the bus, your driver will tell you what epic activities are available at each location, they’ll pass around a clipboard and you’ll be able to sign up – E A S Y.
Kick back… enjoy it and make those memories!

Our favourite spots in NZ

Franz Josef Glacier
Milford Sound
Lake Tekapo

Get updates trending places to travel across Australia and New Zealand

Join over 7000 adventure seekers and get the best travel insights straight to your inbox

Download Guide Form

" * " indicates required fields

with RatPack Travel?

Cheaper than booking direct

Free date changes

Personalised all the way

5-Star Google Rated

Ready to book?

Let us help you plan your trip..

Share this post:

Get inspired for your next trip:

From our ratpackers.

1,600+ Google & Facebook reviews

Ryan did an amazing job and guided me through the alternatives of different campervan rentals and helped me to find what suits me for my trip

Planning a huge trip is always a daunting experience but George managed to make the whole experience stress free and enjoyable. Everything from start to finish was personal and easy! Booking with RatPack is like being on the phone to a mate. Super informative, really friendly and we got an amazing deal. All you can ask for really. Thank you RatPack!

Huge thank you to RatPack Travel! We left it pretty late to book our campervan for Tassie and couldn't find many affordable options ourselves. I spoke to Gregg from RatPack on Whatsapp and within 10 minutes he had found us a great vehicle at an amazing price. We've just landed in Hobart and found out we've been upgraded to an even better van at the same price!! Will definitely be recommending RatPack to everyone I know who is planning to travel and see Australia the proper way! Thank you Gregg! ❤️

My booking experience was such a pleasure and quite unique. I assumed I’d be dealing with computer generated prompts but instead had 2 calls with the lovely Anna who worked with our tricky time difference (I’m in Qatar) . Within 24 hours she secured me a great deal on the van that would work best for me. Can’t wait for my December adventure and couldn’t recommend RatPack Travel enough!!

Ryan was very helpful top bloke 👍👍

Super schnelle und gleichzeitig sehr persönliche Abwicklung der Buchung. Anna war sehr freundlich und bei Fragen stets erreichbar. Macht das buchen super easy, sehr guter Service!

I had an incredible experience renting a van with them for my road trip in New Zealand. Ben was exceptionally helpful and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. We had a pleasant chat, and they were accommodating when I needed to make changes to my booking. Highly recommend this rental company for anyone exploring New Zealand! Can’t wait to get in the road.

Cannot recommend these guys enough!! We recently booked our 3 week holiday in NZ. We would be lying if we said the process of looking for a motorhome/campervan was easy. We spent days tossing up options that hardly met our budget. After a few days of stressing out like a pair of lunatics we came across RatPack Travel, lo and behold they were the saviours we desperately needed! We hopped on a call with Chris and got chatting. Within the hour we locked in a spacious motorhome (with insurance) that met our budget - WE’RE SO STOKED!! We wholeheartedly recommend RatPack Travel to any future holiday makers out there looking for a fast, reliable and friendly service! THANK YOU CHRIS!!! ❤️‍🔥

Haven't started my journey yet so can't say much but so far the customer service specifically from Ben has been incredible and he was able to find me a great deal and I'm very excited.

A huge thanks to George and Jenna for a great service! Kind, accomodating, and effective!

Anna has been really helpful and made sure I got the best deal for my last minute booking. She made it really easy as I had nothing to do, except for answer questions and review the details to confirm the booking. She was very professional and also answered my questions and gave me tips. The service is free for users as they get paid by the rental company. Thank you to Sammy and Tammy as well for finding a solution for me :). Will recommend your services.

Super helpful and friendly staff. They helped me plan an adventure with my dog in a rental camper and got the best deals. Thank you Ryan F and RatPack.

George was super helpful. He got us the absolute best deal and saved us so much money on our van!

Gregg was great to work with! Made the process so smooth and effortless!

These guys are lifesavers! Needed to book a van for ten days right before arriving in Australia and they did all the heavy lifting finding the van! Huge thank you to Anna for being incredibly friendly and helpful - RatPack is the best!

We are changing up the

Travel blog.

Privacy | Booking Terms & Conditions

Kia ora! How can we help you today?

Contact kiwi experience, auckland head office.

83 Beach Rd, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Can I book my accommodation through you?

Modified on: Thu, 13 Jul, 2023 at 9:03 AM

Yes! You can make all your accommodation bookings via the online Trip Planner. Remember to book at least by 7 AM two days in prior to arriving at each destination. You can find a link to the online trip planner in the ‘Welcome to the Whanau’ email.

Did you find it helpful? Yes No

New Zealand

Nestled in the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is famous for its biodiverse wildlife, dramatic landscape, and fascinating Maori culture.

New Zealand- simply put, an awesome, diverse, and stunning island country – is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Composed of two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island, and over 700 smaller islands, New Zealand is a unique country of adventure and serenity, biodiverse wildlife and vivid landscape, dazzling fjords and golden beaches, rich culture and laid-back charm. The culture of the Maori people, the indigenous population that migrated from Polynesia in the 14th century, is still an integral part of life in contemporary New Zealand – known as Aotearoa in Maori. And the locals? Nicknamed “kiwis,” they are known for their warm welcome and quick smiles.

Waitomo Caves

Coromandel Town

Fox Glacier Weheka

Christchurch

Trip Planner - New Zealand

Create your perfect trip to queenstown, new zealand.

Easily plan your trip based on your preferences, budget, and style

Plan your trip with RoutePerfect’s AI and optimize it by using RoutePerfect’s crowdsourced database, based on proven and enjoyable, well-crafted itineraries of thousands of travelers.

The climate in New Zealand varies greatly from north to south, but, with much of the country lying close to the coast, there are mild temperatures year-round in many parts. Located in the southern hemisphere, December through February are summer months – perfect for beach, nature, and hiking- and June through August are winter- turning the south into a winter wonderland for snow sports enthusiasts.

New Zealand’s North Island is home to most of the country’s population as well as its largest and most cosmopolitan metropolis – Auckland - known as “the City of Sails, as it’s surrounded by islands and bays.

Auckland’s needle-like Sky Tower offers dazzling views from its exterior platform – and, for those seeking a thrill, a sky jump off the platform. Waitemata Harbour, dividing Auckland in two, is a beautiful area for entertainment, dining, and shopping. The Auckland Harbour Bridge offers opportunities not only for panoramic views but adventure, such as bungee jumping. The beautiful Hauraki Gulf islands, a ferry ride away, are popular destinations, especially Waiheke Island with villages boasting art galleries, cafes, and pristine beaches. One Tree Hill, the volcanic cone located in the lush Cornwall Park , is an Auckland icon.

Auckland is also home to several outstanding museums, including the Auckland Art Gallery , the New Zealand Maritime Museum , and the Auckland War Memorial Museum . For families, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is a must-see with close underwater views, huge aquariums filled with unusual sea life, and a snow-filled penguin area. Auckland’s zoo is renowned.

Wellington , the small capital city of New Zealand, is also known as the country’s culinary capital with its award-winning restaurants and a café and bar culture. Its iconic red cable cars offer panoramic views, and its botanic gardens are breathtaking. Wellington is also home to the outstanding Museum of New Zealand – the Te Papa .

The city of Tauranga and its environs feature many natural attractions – such as Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park and Okere Falls – as well as cultural highlights such as art galleries and the Classic Flyer’s Museum . Rotorua , with its surrounding lakes, hot springs, mud pools, and geysers, is famous for its geothermal activity. The city of Hamilton mixes culture and entertainment with stunning nature such as gardens, lakes, and parks.

New Zealand’s oldest heritage trail, the Forgotten World Highway, is both scenic and mysterious, snaking through many natural and historical points of interest, and the Waitomo Caves are an extensive system of caves with unusual limestone formations and stunning waterfalls.

While New Zealand’s South Island offers untainted natural landscapes – an extraordinary mix of rare wildlife, untamed wilderness, deserted coastlines, magnificent fiords, and delicious seafood – it is also home to several large cities. Christchurch boasts an array of architectural styles, museums, wildlife preserves, treks, and gardens. It is a vibrant urban center known also for its street art and foodie scene.

Queenstown is a resort area with stunning landscape, galleries, eateries, and abundant adventure activities – including great skiing in the winter months. The city of Dunedin is known for its fascinating history, cultural highlights, architectural heritage, as well as its natural beauty.

Don’t miss these other outstanding destinations in the south! Milford Sound – a dramatic fiord located in the spectacular Fiordland National Park , Mount Cook National Park, Lake Tekapo , and the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.

Need guidance?

Whether you’re looking for kiwi-style adventure or serenity – or some of both - start planning, organizing, and booking your customized dream trip to New Zealand using RoutePerfect’s unique set of planning tools. Unlike any other company, Routeperfect offers its exclusive Popular Itineraries written by tourism professionals and experienced travelers to jumpstart your planning, helping you to personalize your travel and book your accommodations so that you can experience the country YOUR way.

Regions in New Zealand

Attractions in new zealand, suggested romantic itineraries for new zealand, suggested other itineraries for new zealand, suggested family itineraries for new zealand, suggested friends itineraries for new zealand.

RoutePerfect uses cookies to improve our content and provide you with a personalized experience. By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn more

COMMENTS

New Zealands Best Bus Tour Experience
Kiwi Experience offers a range of different travel styles to help you experience our New Zealand, your way. Hop-on hop-off. The OG. Guided bus passes throughout New Zealand. ... Our team of New Zealand experts are dedicated to making your trip convenient and hassle-free by taking care of the details so you can focus on the unrivalled memory ...
Kiwi Experience Review: What Is It Really Like?
Now, Kiwi Experience's Trip Planner is a lot more organised and you can book accommodation and activities at the click of a button. Simply log in and book the accommodation for the minimum number of days (usually one night with the occasional two or three nights).
All Kiwi Experiences
We offer award-winning Hop-on-Hop-Off bus passesand Small Group Toursthat take you to the heart of New Zealand. Kiwi Experience takes care of it all, leaving you to focus on making memories and experiencing unrivalled adventures with like-minded travellers from across the globe. Travel Time. Travel Time21+ daysUp to 21 daysUp to 14 daysUp to 7 ...
A complete guide to the Kiwi Experience, New Zealand
The Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's original backpacker bus company and now boasts over 25 buses that roam continually (7 days a week) in the summer months through both the north and south island. In the winter the frequency of buses is slightly less but goes no lower than 3 times a week on the different routes.
Kiwi Experience Review: What is it Really Like to Travel with Kiwi
This is especially considering that a normal coach trip in New Zealand, with none of the services that Kiwi Experience provides, usually costs NZ$30-$45 per day. If you are on a shorter time, you should also check out the Kiwi Experience Small Group Tours with travel, accommodation and activities included whilst travelling with a small group.
A complete guide to Kiwi Experience
the Kiwi Experience is a HOP-ON-HOP-OFF bus service that will transport you to all the best places in New Zealand. ... (+61 450381801) and start planning your trip today. Don't forget you can use my code MOLLIE10 for 10% off any trip or transport booking you make, including your Kiwi Experience ticket!
Top 17 Tips For Traveling New Zealand With Kiwi Experience
14 ) Utilize Free Wi-Fi as much as possible. A phone plan with 3G DATA in New Zealand is pretty expensive. I use my phone a lot while I travel for social-media purposes, and spent a bit more money than I was expecting to while in the country. Kiwi Experience wrote a great post about the Best NZ SIM card, and it's worth checking out.
How do I book activities? : Kiwi Experience
CONTACT KIWI EXPERIENCE AUCKLAND HEAD OFFICE. 83 Beach Rd, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. Phone (+64) 9 336 4286. ... Purchase the activity through our trip planner. You then just need to give your driver guide the activity voucher number and they will book the activity in for you. Easy! Toggle Navigation.
The Kiwi Experience Bus: An Honest Review (2023)
The Kiwi Experience is a group tour which is set up to guide you from start to finish. It is the perfect experience for new or first-time backpackers, and whilst the tour is aimed at travellers aged 18-35, we found the majority to be between the ages of 18-25.
How do I book my buses? : Kiwi Experience
Modified on: Thu, 13 Jul, 2023 at 9:11 AM. You can manage your bus bookings through our bus planner website. Your unique login details for the bus planner will be emailed to you after you have purchased your pass. If you need help with your bus bookings, our friendly reservations team are available to assist you via phone or email. Contact us.
Kiwi Experience
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Write a review. See all photos. About. Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's original bus adventure company, offering adventure seeking travellers some of the most unforgettable experiences on the planet. On a Kiwi Experience bus adventure you'll travel with travellers from all around the world - each looking for the trip of a ...
What's It Like To Travel New Zealand On The Kiwi Experience Bus?!
As with most places on the backpacker trail New Zealand comes with plenty of options when it comes to transport. The Kiwi Experience has been running for over 25 years now so it's safe to say they know what they're doing! One of the biggest draws is the fact they offer a flexible hop on, hop off bus service that allows travellers to do just ...
Kiwi Experience
Plan your trip Guide to travelling to NZ Covid-19: Guide for travellers Visas and entry requirements ... A Kiwi Experience bus adventure is quite simply the best way to experience New Zealand. Our local guides know the country and culture better than anyone else and have hosted over 500,000 passengers in our 30 years.
All Tours & Trips by Kiwi Experience in 2024/2025
All Tours Operated By Kiwi Experience. Discover the best Kiwi Experience adventures in one convenient place. TourRadar offers 10 Kiwi Experience tours. You can find the perfect trip spanning across 8 day to 25 day itineraries with prices starting from just USD 45 per day!
Kiwi Experience
The Kiwi Experience is an experience like NO other and we love that >>> The Kiwi Experience is New Zealand's most popular backpacker bus company, it's a combination of transport, trips and destinations and a really EASY way to travel.With so much to see & do in NZ they have a range of different passes to suit everyone and hit different spots & routes.
19-day Grand Kiwi Experience
Itinerary. Start in Auckland and end in Christchurch! With the Explorer tour 19-day Grand Kiwi Experience, you have a 19 days tour package taking you through Auckland, New Zealand and 19 other destinations in New Zealand. 19-day Grand Kiwi Experience includes accommodation in a hostel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Can I book my accommodation through you? : Kiwi Experience
Modified on: Thu, 13 Jul, 2023 at 9:03 AM. Yes! You can make all your accommodation bookings via the online Trip Planner. Remember to book at least by 7 AM two days in prior to arriving at each destination. You can find a link to the online trip planner in the 'Welcome to the Whanau' email. Did you find it helpful?
Plan your Trip to New Zealand
Trip Planner - New Zealand. Create your perfect trip to Queenstown, New Zealand. Easily plan your trip based on your preferences, budget, and style. Plan your trip with RoutePerfect's AI and optimize it by using RoutePerfect's crowdsourced database, based on proven and enjoyable, well-crafted itineraries of thousands of travelers.

What It’s Really Like to Travel New Zealand with Kiwi Experience (Review)

What is the Kiwi Experience?

How the Kiwi Experience works

Why I did the Kiwi Experience

Review: what Kiwi Experience is really like

The pace of Kiwi Experience tours

Activities you can do with Kiwi Experience

How to book your activities and accommodation with Kiwi Experience

The pros and cons of travelling with Kiwi Experience

Pros of Kiwi Experience

Cons of Kiwi Experience

Cost breakdown of how much I spent

Is the Kiwi Experience value for money?

Kiwi Experience sustainability initiatives

Top tips for travelling with Kiwi Experience

Kiwi Experience Review: My verdict

Looking for more New Zealand travel tips? These articles can help!

About The Author

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Memberships

Thank you! Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

GET A FREE NEW ZEALAND PACKING LIST

Success! Check your inbox to confirm subscription.

Pin It on Pinterest

All Kiwi Experiences

Bay of Islands

Milford Explorer

Bay & Cape

Geyserland and Lake

Northern Highlights

Northern Round Up

Southern Round Up

South and Sound

Funky Chicken

Top & Tail

Southern Secrets

Working Holiday Pass

Hokey Pokey

The Whole Kit & Caboodle

Southern Crossing

Northern Kiwi

North Island Revive

Southern Kiwi

The Grand Kiwi Experience

The G.O.A.T.

It's on its way to your inbox.

Want to learn more about NZ?

New Zealand

What is the Kiwi Experience?

How does it work? How do you book on?

My Kiwi Experience location highlights…

Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Skydive over Lake Taupo

Black abyss caving adventure with the glow worms

Is Kiwi Experience the transport for you?

Mollie’s tips and tricks for the Kiwi Experience…

What do Where’s Mollie Global Travellers say about Kiwi Experience?

Have you been to New Zealand with Kiwi Experience?

Other posts on my blog that I think you’d like… VIEW ALL

A weekend itinerary for Byron Bay

The best things to do in Bright, Victoria

The best things to do in Canberra, Australia

The best things to do in Nicaragua

Top tips for solo female van life

The best travel destinations for LGBTQ+ travellers

The best things to do in Wellington, New Zealand

Top tips for a USA coast to coast road trip

The best things to do in Central America

The best things to do in Sri Lanka

The best things to do in El Paredon, Guatemala

The best things to do and see in Mexico

A guide to backpacking Europe on a budget

21 things you need to know before travelling in Cuba

The ultimate 2-week road trip itinerary for New Zealand

A guide to backpacking the Cyclades Islands, Greece

A guide to volunteering in rural Australia

The best things to do on the central NSW Coast, Australia

A guide to moving to Dubai

The best hikes in New Zealand

Top tips for travelling in Costa Rica