B5.3.6.1 New Zealand: Coach Travel p2
Description
This article is from the New Zealand FAQ, by Phil Stuart-Jones and Lin Nah with numerous contributions by others.
B5.3.6.1 New Zealand: Coach Travel p2
"Other options if you are willing to divert from the mainstream is to use
one of the [main] backpacker bus services; Kiwi Experience or Magic Bus.
Magic has a better reputation than Kiwi Experience, however I have not used
Magic and can't say much more than that. Kiwi Experience is known as the
party bus where there's a lot of drinking, etc. I have only heard good
things about Magic (from other backpackers and people running backpackers).
The price should be comparable as they are both in competition. In terms
of where one goes, they are almost identical.
"The good thing about these backpacker buses is they do allow for stops
along the way.
"The overnight stops mean you can do activities along the way like
whitewater rafting, blackwater rafting, bungy jumping, grass skiing, jet
boating, maori cultural shows, adventure caving or abseiling, walks, etc.
The bus driver will book you on the trips you want and you pay for them as
you go. They will also book accommodation for you at a backpackers or you
book yourself. Again you pay as you go. Backpackers prices are $10 - $16
per night. YHA is more expensive but the quality is more consistent. You
can also choose to stay more upmarket - there are double rooms avail at the
backpackers and most YHAs. The buses pick up and drop people off at most
YHAs and backpackers."
Kiwi Experience (KE) have a package called the 'Back Paddock' which runs
from Christchurch through Arthur's Pass to Greymouth then down the West
Coast and back to Chch via Wanaka, Queenstown, and Mount Cook. For $204,
you need a minimum of 6 days and can take up to 3 months to finish this
route. They take you to a few places on the way. You pay for your own
accommodation and any entrance fee to any sights. KE run daily so there is
no problem with stopping as long as you like.
Magic Travellers' 'Tranzalpine' is very similar to the 'Back Paddock' but
swaps Mount Cook for Dunedin. For $229, your route needs a minimum of 7
days and should be valid for 3-6 months. The network only runs every other
day so if you want to stay longer than one night, you may end up staying 3
nights.
Kiwi Experience has a trip called Geyserland. Minimum of 3 days of travel
and valid up to 3 months. The route is: Auckland -> Thames -> Waitomo ->
Rotorua -> Auckland. Your night stops are at Waitomo and Rotorua. Cost is
$75 but this doesn't include accommodation or the $12 entry to the
glow-worm caves. They can arrange blackwater rafting, hangi, stay at a
marae in Rotorua, abseiling, etc.
"This is from my Kiwi Experience brochure in 1995 - so things may have
changed a little other than price.
"Auckland - Waitomo; Waitomo - Rotorua; Rotorua - Taupo; Taupo - Ohakune;
Ohakune - Thames; $121"
"This year's map has the Auckland - Wellington - Auckland return for $219.
Since Wellington - Auckland is done in one day, I know the minimum length
for Auckland - Wellington is 5 days. I doubt the price will be more than
$150."
Magic Travellers network had a route called 'Top of the Town' for $120:
Auckland -> Hamilton -> Waitomo -> Rotorua -> Taupo -> Turangi -> Rotorua
-> Thames -> Auckland.
As a comparison, Intercity coach lines has a route from Auckland to Rotorua
via Waitomo Caves for $100.50 including admission to the caves.
Discounts are available on some lines if you have a backpackers card and/or
book [well] in advance. YHA and backpackpers card (VIP) get a 5% discount.
Numerous other tour operators and routes exist. Shop around!
Contact numbers:
Tourist Information Centres may handle all the bookings for you (see
Subject: A1.2.2) or, for Auckland:
Intercity:
Phone 357 8400 or 0800 731 711
Mt Cook:
Phone 309 5395
Kiwi Experience:
Phone 366 1665
Fax 357 0524
Magic Network:
Phone 358 5600
Fax 358 3471
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